I have to admit I was a little weirded out by this news. Not grossed out. Just "huh?" And not by the news itself, but that something like this can happen. She's several years younger than me, and in much better shape, too. Its not like she abuses her body or has extenuating health issues that may lead to her bladder going base jumping. I was actually amazed at what she was telling me. At the physical aspects of it all. As can be expected, this condition makes certain things more painful than normal. Certain activities that normally feel quite good. (Hhmm - hmmm- hmmm!) It makes perfect sense now - but again, I hadn't even thought about that. That's when it hit me that a lot of what we women do each day has changed for her.
We talked about what may have caused her bladder to decide to dangle precariously over the exit door. One of the main contributors is something so many of us are guilty of. Holding your pee until you're about to burst - and then holding it a little longer. Who hasn't done that?! I know I can go all damn day if I have to. I just get busy and sidetracked, and whatever pain may be there isn't quite enough to make me stop what I'm doing. But then, it hits. And I HAVE to go. Like NOW! Walking brings tears to my eyes and I'm oh so close to peeing down my leg with each step. I race to the terlet and plop down and then....nothing. I freeze up. Can't go - even though I'm seriously about to explode I've held it too long again. So I lean forward to help squish it all out fast. FFWWIIISSSSSSHHHHHHHH!!!!! Ahhhhhhh. There we go. Relief.
Um...yeah. Don't do that anymore. That's bad. REAL BAAAAAD. According to my friend's doc, we should perch straight up on the seat, sit back and relax. Don't lean forward or back, or side to side. Don't use your vag muscles to push it out. (What are those called...Keigle?) Just chill. And gently let gravity take car of it.
Who the heck has time for THAT nonsense?! When I finally force myself to go it sounds like Hoover Dam just blew up. I know no one who has 17 spare minutes to allow all your tinkle to drip out like a freakin coffee pot! and who can sit still on a toilet anyway? I'm always multi-tasking during that short break. Re-adjusting the girls, digging my sock out of my boot, wadding my hair back up again. A multitude of different things. I'm not going to just sit there as if enjoying the sun in a field of daisies. Not to mention its kinda uncomfortable. But apparently that's what we women should do in order to keep our bladders happy, healthy and holding on tight.
I challenge you. Use the force this week while peeing. Gravitational force. And time it. Just too see how long it takes. You'll be surprised.