Katherine Thomas
March 7th, 2008
As I was growing up, I was always very active and extremely passionate about sports. At the beginning of high school, however, I developed increasingly severe spasticity and completely lost the ability walk by my senior year. After several surgeries, Botox injections, and countless foggy days due to muscle-relaxing and pain-relieving drugs, I had my first intrathecal Baclofen pump implanted in 2000. The pump is really a unique medication delivery device, because it enables my body to receive the necessary medication without interrupting my daily activities due to debilitating side effects.
While I knew that I would be more comfortable with my pump, I had no idea that I would ever be able to walk independently, let alone run. My pump truly means the world to me, because it has given me my life back. Although I needed lots of physical therapy, I am now able to wake up without pain and participate in all the activities I used be involved in– from playing soccer to water skiing to running. Thanks to my pump, I ran my first half marathon in Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day in 2005.
Now that I am healthy again, my pump serves as a reminder to focus on the positive aspects of life. I certainly was very concerned about what it would look like or how it would feel, but I tell prospective patients that my pump is just like any other body part. More importantly, it has enabled me to become independent again, and that freedom is worth more than just about anything.
Whenever I speak about my illness, I always note that while I wouldn’t say people without a neurological condition or a pump are lacking a wonderful experience, I wouldn’t change what has happened to me if I could. Although there were some very rough times trying one failed treatment after another, and some sleepless nights wondering if anything could ease my pain, the amazing support and love I received from my family, friends, physicians, nurses, physical therapists and Medtronic staff helped me step back from the pain and everyday stress to appreciate the gift of life. Although I really missed my sports and other activities when I was sick, the time off of the soccer field enabled me to realize new hobbies like photography and volunteering with Habitat for Humanity that I still enjoy today.
Leave a Reply