One more week to go on Catheter #7

This  time next week, I should finally be off the catheter, good old number 7.  It's red in colour and thick in diameter.  Had a lot of pain this weekend, which is odd, because the surgery was on Tuesday, and for the first 3 days or so, was reporting that it was minimal.

Last night, couldn't hardly move without feeling strong pain along the "shaft" and high up at the bladder neck.

Working at my p/t job right now, sitting for five hours in this rigid chair is putting a nice hurt where I sit and up my back.

Today is day 36 on these catheters, I guess I will make it, just have to get through this week and one more weekend.

Will be strange feeling again to be tubeless.  What happens after that?  Not even a serious thought in my head at the moment.

David in SC

Perhaps the catheter ought to be the SC state snake as often as I have seen them

Here is to tubeless future!

David,
May your withdrawal be as smooth and as quick as the funds that disappeared from our "401k"s.
(Gee, do you think you will miss it? )
Jeff

David,

I feel for you man, hope things go well.

Also, I don't suppose, given your general extended circumstances, that they will pull it out GENTLY and not one quick SWOOP like they normally do for first-timers. Yours does not sound like a normal condition.

Maybe they will let you ease it out yourself, eh ?? You are already an old hand at catheters.

Hoping for a good OUTing ...

Jim

Jeff, I am not expecting to be incontinent after this is pulled out, as I was fully 100% dry for about 6 months before this laser surgery. I am expecting to perhaps dribble or have a little problem if sneezing or passing gas. My doctor thinks it won't be much of an issue. I hope he's right. But I do have a supply of depends guards and pullups from months ago if needed.

david in sc

Barry, thanks for the confidence builder. Yeah, not aiming for the world records of how many caths I can endure in one year, seven has been quite enough. I am glad to have a five day shortening of my sentence on this one, but to be honest, after 36 days, another five days wouldn't have mattered one way or the other.

Much more interested in seeing a nice natural flow again. Hopefully it won't be needed, but did read where the laser correction can be done over and over without damaging anything.

Soon as this is over with, I am still trying to wrestle with what appears to be reaccurance of the cancer after my surgery. I am going for a second opinion. I may be stuborn enough to want still another PSA to totally convince myself, as my last one at .16, while it shouldnt be that high, is still minsicule at best.

If I had never had radiation before in my life, probably would be more compliant and willing, but it was such a long negative event with me 9 years ago, can't get it out of my head, and still suffer from side effects from back then.

But, rest assure, I do not intend to do nothing and let the PC take over me. If PC is to kill me, it will be one hell of of fight on my end, I won't go don't easy or willing.

Hope you are still doing well too.

David in SC

True, cave, its not going to imrove beyond where you are before you start, that is what I was told.

Well, this should be my last full day on the cath, hard to believe, this is day 37 this time around. In the morning, when I switch bag for the last time, that will be a great feeling.

I am more than ready for the next step.

david in sc

Colin, appearently the dr. told my wife a week was long enough. The original date had to do with when my dr. would be out at the sattelite office near my house, he's only there once a week. now he saying, as long as the other doctor is there tommorow morning, he's comfortable about having it pulled early in the morning, that way if there is trouble hours later, we can avoid and ER visit and make it back to the dr's office before it closes. Either way, I am happy to be rid of it, I want to get home tommorow morning and flow like niagra falls.

I will be a nervous wreck until I know that I won't block up anytime soon. Kind of gun shy on that subject after 38 days on the cath, a painful dialation procedure, and then the corrective laser surgery. Had enough surprises for now.

david in sc