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Wondering about catheters (and David)

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Posted 10/20/2009 1:40 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
After reading about David's horrible day some questions arose. How come some men have catheters for so long? I thought it was just until everything healed. My dad has been blessed and has not had any leakage at all. I'm not sure why that is but he isn't complaining. In fact, it is so unusual he is going to ask the dr about it. Also, David those women that are helping you are possibly idiots lol. This worries me. I wonder if you can request the other team that seems to know what they are doing?? I thought you had type 2, which is in the earlier stages, but it seems you are having so many problems getting all fixed up. How come? Is your cancer re-occuring? I sure feel for you and will pray for you. My dad has an appt a week from Wednesday with the radiologist. I will keep everyone posted.

Kelli
Posted 10/20/2009 2:09 AM (GMT 0)
Good questions, Kelli.

Most men will have a foley catheter in after surgery anywhere from 5 days on the low side to a couple of weeks on the long side. Seems like a lot have them for 7-10 day period. This is to give one of the touchiest parts of the surgery a chance to heal, it is where the neck of the bladder and the urertha tube join together. Due to surgical complications, my original cath was left in for 30 days. When it was taken out, the very next morning a new one had to be put back in because it blocked up. This went back and forth several times, including a visit right after Christmas to the emergency room. Finally, my dr. did a small operation to open it back up and after 63 days I was catheter free. Then in July, it blocked up again. This time it took an emergency dialation procedure which is very painful and still another catheter. By the time I had a second corrective surgery, to open it up again, I was back on a catheter for 38 days. One month to the day of that operation, I started closing up still again, and with radiation before me, which cause even more swelling, the dr. put in this SP catheter, which exits below my belly button instead of the penis, and did still another dialation. Today was the only time that I ever had any catheter block up.

Yes, six months after surgery, my cancer has returned. Yes, I am a Stage 2. Prostate cancer has a mind of its own as you follow all the different men's stories here at HW. That is why I am going through what they call here, Salvage Radiation Treatment. Mostly called that because it has been more than six months since my primary treatment, surgery.

Some men, hoping your father will be one, can go through the treatments without any major issues, some go right through radiation like a breeze. Each body is different and reacts differently to treatments and operations. Most of my blockages is because for whatever reason, my body over does the scarring over part. Not the surgeons fault, just a quirk with my make up.

Thanks for you concern and my best wishes for your Dod.

David in SC
Posted 10/20/2009 2:12 AM (GMT 0)
P.S. As far as the women that are operating the machine, they are actually highly skilled and paid technicians. I can't speak for the other states, but here in South Carolina you have to have at least a two-year college degree involving a lot of complex medical courses to do what they are doing. Their problems seems to be one more of attitude than lack of knowledge. Today, was just too tired and sore to make a scene about the delays and treatments, so I just lay low to get through it. I do intend to talk to my doctor about it Wednesday.
Posted 10/20/2009 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for clearing that up. Let me ask you this: If the radiation is unsuccessful, then what? Have you had to do any hormone therapy? If so, how long and what were the effects? You are only 57. That's really pretty young. They say the average age for prostate cancer is 72. Whatever!! Do you know how your body is responding to the radiation so far? How much longer do you have to have a catheter? Permanently? Sorry for bombarding you with questions. There is probably more where that came from.
Posted 10/20/2009 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
Your questions are good, and that is a good way to learn, I dont mind at all.

If the radiation ultimately fails to finish off any remaning cancer cells, in all likely hood I would be on Hormone Treatments next (HT). Some people have the HT along with radiation. Of the 3 radiation oncologists I interviewed with, 1 reccomended that I do, and other other 2 including my dr. said it wasn't needed at this time.

According to my urologist/surgeon, I am still one of his youngest prostate cancer patients, I was 56 when diagnosed. You can see now at HW that we even have some men here in their lower to mid 40's.

Not sure what you mean by how is my body responding so far. If you mean side effects, had nausea 10 out of the first 11 treatments, didn't have it today for the first time. I am increasing in fatigue more than usual. That's about it so far. If that is not what you meant, then please ask a different way.

If there are no machine breakdowns or other reasons for delay (including sickness on my end) my radiation is scheduled to end the Friday after American Thanksgiving Day late in Novemeber. This catheter is planned to remain in place anywhere from Mid- to Late-December of this year, because even when the radiation ends, the swelling effect continues on for a few weeks to a month according to the doctor. With all the closure issues you read about earlier, my doctors know this catheter will prevent anything bad from happening in this dept. But I did learn today when it is removed, I will have to wear a regular foley catheter (through the penis) for at least two weeks in order for my bladder to heal properly. So it could be as late as the first week or two in January.

As of today, I have been on one catheter or the other for 120 days total since I had my main operation last November.

David in SC
Posted 10/21/2009 12:29 AM (GMT 0)
Hi David,
Thanks for the info. How is your body responding to the radiation (is it working or do you know that yet?) When will you know?
Posted 10/21/2009 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Not sure how to answer that. The radiation will still be working even after the treatments end, and I understand that it takes awhile for the cancer cells to die from it. I will ask my radiation oncologist tommorow about your question, perhaps we can both learn something.

David in SC
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