HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Day 45: Catheter #2 Finally Out!

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/29/2008 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Just came back from my doctor's office.  After having one in for 44 out of the past 45 days since surgery, a kind and sneaky nurse got catheter #2 out of me without any pain in the flash of an eye.  She was good.  With the extra 13 days of healing, and not taking any of the bladder spasm med  during that time, the doctor thinks things will work out fine this time.  If not, he's at my local office 2 blocks from my house until 5, and will be at the main Greenville office the rest of the week.  If it stops flowing, he said just drive in without calling first this time.  He also gave me some free samples of pyridium for the burning sensation, that's the neat stuff they gave me in the hospital that turns your urine into "Tang", neat color.

He wants to wait a full extra 6 weeks to do my first psa, I was a little disapointed with that since it has been 6 1/2 weeks since surgery, but he hasn't been wrong with me yet.

Happy to have that cath out, probably had 2 dozen or more painful spasms yesterday, and even had 3 in the 20 minutes waiting for the doctor.  Been a rough past 6 days for sure, so I hope I pee and pee, and make it through the next 24 hours without any stopage, that would do a lot to build my confidence back.  I sure don't want cath. #3, I would go out of my mind.  Thanks for any and all concerns.

David in SC

 

Posted 12/29/2008 2:27 PM (GMT 0)
Great, David, here's hoping this one stays out, Take it easy for a couple days... Some docs test psa in 6 weeks, some in 3 months....
Posted 12/29/2008 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
Good for You! Congrats . . .

My first psa test was also at 3 months.

Again . . . congrats . . . I hope all goes well.
Posted 12/29/2008 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
Congratulations Dave! It's out, you're covered just in case, focus on the exquisite peace of this moment and recharging yourself.
Posted 12/29/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
James, planning on the rest and lots and lots of water to keep things going. Was in for so long, still feel weird without it, but the past 6 days made me hate it even more, so much pain, ruined most of my Christmas.

The peace of the moment is great! I can sit or stand without fear of tripping over a clear hose, I don't have that nasty thing pulling at the head of my winky constantly. Trust me, this part is wonderful.

After the first full day of no blockage, I will feel like a new man.

Thanks,

David in SC
Posted 12/29/2008 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Good to hear positive news so far! I hope you're continuing to do well.

Pyridium is a new one on me. Wish I'd had it a week ago. I had blood come out as late as 2 days ago, but it no longer hurts, really, although I continue to feel weird. That's progress!

Hope your spasms have subsided as well.
Posted 12/29/2008 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Who ever thought trading a catheter for a diaper would be a good deal.  Good luck on your journey to full recovery.

Allan

Posted 12/29/2008 4:33 PM (GMT 0)
Amen to you brother, free atlast I hope is your new mantra.

Bob
Posted 12/29/2008 4:41 PM (GMT 0)
Hi David,
You know I want to hear about that first Pee. Fingers are crossed.

Tony
Posted 12/29/2008 4:45 PM (GMT 0)

Congrats David great news!  Take it easy and drink plenty of water.  I also never heard of the drug Pyriduim and had that burning for six weeks then it just stopped.  Hoping you have a great New Year!

Jerry1

Posted 12/29/2008 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
tongue  Great news David, I'm sure your new freedom will really help you as you recover. I was very lucky and got the cath out on day seven, but could not squeeze a drop out afterward. The wonderful male nurse said to go home and come back by 5 if I still was unable to go. about an hour after I got home, I had my first use of my rebuilt bladder neck, and was pretty much home free after that! I had aiming problems for a while, but was dry and almost pain free from the start. Just remember to listen to your body and don't rush your recovery, here's to a Happy and cath free New Year to you David!

Beachbum turn

Posted 12/29/2008 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Well, i know its still early, been peeing on my own now for 3 hours, no great gushers, but seems to be enough to relieve myself. DJBear- if you still burn, ask your doc for the pyridium, I burned at the dr office and told him, and he gave me a large free sample. An hour after the first pill, no burning, but neon orange pee, not a bad trade off. Still on the same pad all morning, might be too soon, but feel my main bladder muscles are working, looks like all the pad is catching is some minute drips that I must not even feel happening. I know that tonight, my first night, will be the real test, so I look forward to it with nervous anticipation. I do plan to wear a pull up, can't believe I said that, since I have been on Ambien for sleep for 10 years now, not convinced I would wake up on my own. See how I do. If I get through today, tonight, and all tommorow, will feel I am ready to move on to the phase. Dr said when we went over my first post PSA on Feb. 9th, we will have a good disusscion about the ED side of things.

Thanks for all you guys wonderful support and comment.

David
Posted 12/29/2008 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on cath #2 getting removed.  Best wishes in this phase of the healing and may the New Year bring you good health, undetectable PSA's and no more caths. 

Posted 12/29/2008 5:52 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats David. That is so cool. Best wishes for the new year. Todd

Posted 12/29/2008 5:59 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go, David! I'm always glad to hear good news, and I'll be you let out a sigh of relief. Hope everything continues to do well and no matter what color it is, it's still a good thing. I wonder if it glows in the dark.

Bob
Posted 12/29/2008 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
They say to take out your contacts if you wear them on the pyridium, as it can stain your contacts, not sure how that would happen ,but I don't wear any.

David
Posted 12/29/2008 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Guess pyridium would be a problem for me, since I do wear one contact--why only one, that's another story. (Had cataract surgery on only one eye.) But the burning isn't really there, although I do get a weird feeling toward the end of the pee session. Been continuing to wear a pad at night though that is just in case. Earlier somewhere I said that guys like us need "anti-kegel" exercises, that make sure you can open up as well as close off. Maybe that is actually not such a bad idea.

Keep on flowin'
Posted 12/29/2008 8:59 PM (GMT 0)
Hey DJ,

Been off the cath about 7 hours now, still a nervous feeling, haven't had a real accident yet, couple of close calls. When I feel even the slightest urge, that is my signal to head to the john. Still not much of a flow, still need to sit when I pee, small stream at first, then endless dribbles. It's tonight I will fear, but still hoping the night will pass without a stopage. Must less concerned about an accident or a spill, then another stopage of course. Just need a day or two go by to convince me I am past this hurdle.

Sounds like you are still progressing in the right direction, and that is good.

David
Posted 12/29/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Here's wishing you a pleasant night tonight and the continuing "end of the bag"
Bill
Posted 12/30/2008 1:03 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Purgatory,

Congrats on getting that catheter out!  My husband and I were reading your post and he thinks maybe, if you could, let your bladder fill up a little bit more before going to the bathroom.  Maybe you'll have a better flow and less dribble.  My husband feels like he has to pee a good amount of time throughout the day, but tries to hold it because he knows there's not enough urine built up yet.

He was operated on November 13, 2008, the DaVinici Method, catheter in for one week, still using one pad a day and has burning at the end of the stream.

We're praying for you!  Relax, have a great night and look forward to hearing how good your stream was in the morning.

Happy New Year!

Posted 12/30/2008 1:25 AM (GMT 0)
David,

I know how you feel! The only thing I might have done differently is let myself wait longer while awaiting the flow. But maybe you're already doing that. Keeping my fingers, and everything else, crossed for you.

DJ
Posted 12/31/2008 12:15 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave

Great news about the cath.  Hope it stays out. By the way, my first PSA was at three months.  Good luck

Mika

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply