Re-gaining Control

I started to experience urinary incontinence after the birth of my 3rd child. It started with occasional small leaks and as I got older, it started to get worse. I assumed it was a part of the aging process and that there was nothing I could do. I did my best to control and hide the episodes by wearing double underwear and planning my day around the toilet.

About ten years later, things really started to change. I had my first bowel accident and it was a nightmare. My life as I knew it changed and things started to get worse. I started having more urinary episodes combined with an occasional bowel accident. At a certain point, I no longer wanted to leave the house because I was horrified of the idea of having an accident in public with no access to a bathroom. I stopped seeing friends and made up excuses on why I could no longer do the things I love. My husband would ask me out on dates and I would feel horrible about saying no. I started ordering groceries online and tried to function to the best of my ability. Having a fecal accident is one of the worst things that could happen to someone. It is so apparent, smelly, humiliating and degrading. The worst part is that no one would understand what I was going through.

As time passed, I realized that my urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence were controlling my life. I had lost all control and needed to seek help as soon as possible. I worked up the courage to speak with my doctor and things started to turn around. He showed me a long list of options and my first thought was “why didn’t I speak up sooner.”

Last year my first grandchild was born and I had the opportunity to spend meaningful time with my family. If I didn’t seek help, I would have missed this priceless moment and regretted it forever. If you are reading this and suffer from incontinence, know that you have options and that you are not alone. Seeking treatment will change your life for the better and give you back control.