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Day 38: The Catheter Snake is gone!

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Posted 8/26/2009 1:24 PM (GMT 0)
Just got back from the doctor's office.  A gentle nurse slowly released the balloon in the cath, and with one gentle movement, make the slippery snake leave my body.  It felt weird and uncomfortable for all of 3 to 5 seconds, and just like that, catheter #7 was gone.

Got smart, and wore briefs and had a Depends guard in place, just in case.  She said I may drip for a day or two, and perhaps might see a few drops of blood.  She said if I had any signs of retention, to race back to their office before it closes at 5 today, and to drink as much liquid as I can stand.

On my way home, had to walk into my bank and back.  Made it home, where I plan to stay today to adjust again to a snakeless environment.  Felt a strange urge, and peed all on my own.  I am happy that it was a small stream, not one of those dribble a drop at a time affairs, so perhaps this is all a good sign of things to come.

Being gun shy, after being on 7 catheters and a total of 100 days exactly on caths since my surgery, I will feel better when I make it through the whole day and night and wake up tommorow not blocked up.  Then I will feel success.

I took the night bag, looked at it sadly, and put it in a trash bag, good riddence.

David in SC

Posted 8/26/2009 1:28 PM (GMT 0)
Great news, David. Here's hoping the snake will forever be in your rear view mirror. Bill
Posted 8/26/2009 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
Same here Bill, hope to never have to wear one again
Posted 8/26/2009 1:38 PM (GMT 0)
David,

100 days of catheters must qualify you for sainthood, the Nobel prize, or other such award!

Good luck!

-Charlie
Posted 8/26/2009 1:39 PM (GMT 0)
Charlie, just a sore weiner mostly, and a healthy fear of catheters being inserted while one is awake
Posted 8/26/2009 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Mid morning update: so far, so good, haven't had any mistakes so far, but have pad on just in case. Urinated several times, feels a bit strange: the feeling to go, but when I do go, already have a better stream then I ever did after my open surgery back in November, hope this is a sign of things to come. So glad to have that nasty thing out of me. I do, however, after all these days, have to remember that if I feel an urge coming on, there is no more magic bag to catch it, lol.

David in SC, flowing on his own
Posted 8/26/2009 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
All sounding good ! Every man who has had a catheter can relate to you in some way.

Great news ! May the force (stream) be with you.
Posted 8/26/2009 3:40 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks goodlife, oops, got to go again!
Posted 8/26/2009 4:08 PM (GMT 0)
 

Great news!  I know you were happy to finally put that snake in the trash.

Jerry1

Posted 8/26/2009 4:21 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Jerry, hope this is really it this time
Posted 8/26/2009 5:15 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck David,
i know you would love to have some!!!

Tony
Posted 8/26/2009 5:48 PM (GMT 0)
You threw it away?!?! Do you realize the boom it would make if we filled it Oxy-acetylene and detonated it from a safe distance. The concussion would rock the house. Now THAT is a fitting end for the bag. (Might even be a good activity for the weekend outing.)

May you always go with the flow.
Jeff
Posted 8/26/2009 5:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Tony.

Jeff, got rid of the main night bag, the one my wife picked up for me after the leaker. Still have the one from the hospital, never did try it, could use that one for some kind of explosive activity.

David in sc
Posted 8/26/2009 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
The sub-committee on bathroom usage has a firm policy against congratulating members who have to "drop everything and go." But, subject to article v1742, subsection R, paragraph 31 "Guys with way too much catheter time" we have classified you as an exception.

Congratulations -- Run David Run
Posted 8/26/2009 8:43 PM (GMT 0)

David,

Don't know how you made 100 days but GOOD LUCK, PUSH THOSE FLUIDS!!!!! KEEP IT FLOWING.

Larry

Posted 8/26/2009 9:58 PM (GMT 0)
well, been off the bag/tube for 9 hours now. still flowing as needed, definitely stronger flow than since i had my PC surgery done in November. Been on the same pad all day, just in case, but so far, no accidents. got to get through my first night on my own, will be wearing a pullup for my on security sake (yeah, kind of a wimp), but my night meds knock me out once they hit. By this time tommorow, will be convinced I am ok down there. also, after 9 hours, no pain in the bladder neck area like i use to have every day since the big surgery. so it must not be straining me down there like it was before. the only question in my mind, is if this laser surgery to correct the problem works this well and heals that fast, why didnt we do that in january after i was on a cath for 63 days? oh well, i am thankful to be off the tube and on my own again.

thanks guys for all your great and sincere support.

david in sc, still a flowing on my own
Posted 8/27/2009 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
David,
Great news. I thought 8 days was long enough with a catheter. I can't imagine how unpleasant it is to have 7 catheter for 100 days.
Posted 8/27/2009 1:58 AM (GMT 0)

David,

Put the lid over the trash on tight!  You don't want that thing getting lonely and crawling out tonight.

I hope your tomorrow is even better than today,

Dan

Posted 8/27/2009 2:05 AM (GMT 0)
Congrats David. The only thing good about a catheter was watching an entire football game without getting up.
Posted 8/27/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Ed - 8 days would seem like a walk in the park if I ever had one again. But so glad to be free of it once more.

Dan, thanks, if I am lucky someone will steal it.

cave, that is a good point. lots of things you can do without interuption with a catheter. althought overall it was a pain in the a***, there are times when dealing with my particular blockage issues that there is comfort in the catheter, least you know you are going to flow.

btw, its been 13 hours since its removal, still flowing fine. no big accidents. sitting here with no pads or nothing, getting a bit braver as the day goes on. still got to make it through the first night.

david in sc
Posted 8/27/2009 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
David, hopfully you have used up the quota for cath days for the entire lifetime. No more catheters for you, young man.
Posted 8/27/2009 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
Now, ain't that a pisser!

(Sorry 'bout that, but it was too good a line not to start with.)

Wonderful news David. I can't believe how well it is going for you in the control department. It's about time you had some good fortune.

I'm not taking you off my prayer list, yet, but you have dropped down into the "B" section. I look forward to putting you in the "passing honorable mention" catagory.

Best wishes for a dry, but flowing on cue, night,

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 8/27/2009 4:21 AM (GMT 0)
Yay, David! tongue

It looks like you're doing great!

Congratulations of getting rid of your LAST cath and here's wishing for better times ahead!

Kind regards,

Barry
Posted 8/27/2009 1:29 PM (GMT 0)
geebra, definitely most men would never see that many caths in 2 or 3 lifetimes, did my time, hope i am done

thanks sheldon

barry, sure looks that way

24 HOUR UPDATE: well its, been a full 24 hours since the cath was removed. all is going well. I was up at 130 AM and went big time, then fell asleep on sofa. Woke up at 400 AM went again, then made it to bed. Didnt wake up till 9 this morning. Boy when my bladder is full, my flow is like the old days, strong powerful stream. my surgeon did a great job. More importantly, I am 100% dry. well, let's call that 99% dry to be sure. hoping today will even be better. did wear a pull up all night, but its dry as a bone this monring. starting to feel like it was all worth it.

david in sc
Posted 8/27/2009 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
That's great to hear. Sounds like the laser surgery really paid off.
Kudos to your doc.
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