Catheter #10 in Place - A New Level of Pain

Just got back from my uro/surgeon.  What a terrible experience.  He had hoped I would be well enough to sedate me and pull the SP cath, dialate me, and put in a Foley.  Soon as he saw me, he took one look and knew that wouldn't happen today.  So it sounded simple enough, just change out the SP cath as this one had been in 35 days.

I warned him how terribly sore and swollen I still was from the radiation, so he was being as easy as it could.  The old one came out painfully, but not too severe, and he went slower than normal to ease it.  After allowing me to catch my breath, he and his nurse went to put the new one in.   (35 days ago, when it was replaced, it hurt, but not for too long, perhaps 4-5 on the pain scale).  As soon as he started inserting the new one, I lit up in pain.  With the SP caths, you have a 2 minute window to replace a cath, or else the hole will try to close up.

He got it in most of the way, and then it got stuck, he had to pul it back halfway out, and then try again.  Oh my gosh, I was honestly at pain level 10, thought I was being cut in half with an axe from my penis through my rectum.  The nurse by then was mostly holding me down and keeping my hands out of the way.  The very worse part was inflating the balloon.  It put so much pain pressure on me I didnt think he could do it, but he did it in painful stages instead of the normal all at once.

I was shaking and in tears at the end of this procedure.  If I had known it would be that bad, would have had someone with me.  They had to help me sit up, and rest for awhile.  Then I couldn't even bend to dress, so the kind nurse helped me dress properly which I appreciated.

My dr. said he was going to have a serious talk with my radiation oncologist.  He said he couldn't believe how enflamed I was from even a month ago when he saw me last.

His is going to do my first post SRT PSA on 12/22 so that I will have it when I see her in 12/28.  I am to see him again on 1/11/10 and he said we will see how I am doing at that point.

I don't know how my car got me home, couldnt reach any of my normal back up drivers.  But was only about 4 city blocks away so I made it.  Took some pain med, ditropan, and laying down now even as I type.

He said he rarely has seen anyone so "burned" from radiation like I am.  His care once again under painful circumstanses was admirable.  That means a lot, and he feels terrible being the instrument of so much pain.

He said that the SP was still the right decision for this length of time  (started 10/1), and that if I had a Foley, I would probably be in a dangerous situation with all this swelling going on.

You never know, guys and girls, even a simple procedure can turn into a nightmare unexpectedly.

I told him this was exactly why I didn't want to go through major radiation for a second time in my life.  Thanks for your patience with me here.  I sure hope to at least get a "zero" when I am all done with this painful SRT routine.

David in SC

Jerry, thanks, and for your sake and for your family, I hope you pull no higher than where you were in November, hopefully a nice drop would be in order if possible.

Hey David,

Wow! I am truly sorry that you had to endure that much pain today. I can't imagine how that must have felt. Hopefully you are settling down this evening and by tomorrow it will be a much better scenario.

Take it easy my friend,

Regards,
Bill

David,
I read your post out loud and my private parts shriveled up in fear. You might even have cured my incontinence.
I wish you a restful sleep tonight. You've earned it.
Jeff

Steve, I made myself type it while still in a high state of pain to be accurate, thanks for caring.

Bill, thank you as usual, feel 90% improved from how I was 3 hrs ago, that's what meds are for, a lot of bleeding in my leg bag, but to be expected

6071, please post those results of your psa when you get them, and i will do the same later this month. at least you know the kind of pain area i am talking about, mine goes from the tip of my foreskin through my "back door" literally, and all points in between.

THank you Jeff, can always count on you and I appreciate your sincere concern. I did not expect this today, was just going to be another SP cath swap, was only expecting minimal pain.

Ohio (sigh) the first part of your post sounds like a loaded question to me, d*** if I do, or d*** if I don't. Why dont you ask your question straight up and not so tricky. I have nothing to hide.

Getting 10 opinions would not changed a single thing about why my body reacted so much severely to my recent salvage radiation. My original oncologist and radiation dr from my prior cancers 10 years ago, asked me some questions way back then, he said: are you real sensitive to heat, and do you sunburn easily? I said yes to both, and he told me then that I would have a hard time with radiation. I did then, and I did this time. You have to accept the fact that each human body reacts different to treatments, procedures, meds, etc. I have always ran on the sensitive side, even since I was a kid. I have unusual keep sense of smell, touch, hearing, vision, etc.

Plus, I am not as naturally distrusting of the medical community as your posts seem to indicate that you are. I am very compliant unless I have a good reason to think otherwise. My current medical team is patiently working with me in dealing with these complications and setbacks and painful episodes. What more do you think they should be doing?

On the writing front, why is that suddenly of interest to you? My two published books, and I am a novelist only, are still available at places like Amazon or Barnes and Noble online, both were Historic Romance novels. Just look under authors for David M. Riley and my stuff will pop up. I have a 3rd novel, dark horror, that is being shopped for a publisher right now. I have at least 4 other novels in various stages of completion at this moment. In non-fiction, I have had published book reviews and was the editor of a monthly Religious magazine for 5 years called "The Reformed Digest." Hope that helps your curiosity.

Thanks, Mike, you been a great friend too. My uro was real nervous handing me off to the Radiation folks for those two months, he was concerned from the start if they would cause more problems in the long run. I am starting to believe that. After my appt. with the rad. oncol on the 28th, I will be back in his primary care again.

He will be the one that has to deal with the aftermath. Despite my painful journey, I still have high confidence in him, and his level of sincere care is still there. He felt terrible today when things started to go wrong, but with an SP cath, you have approx. a 2 minute window once you remove the cath, to get the new one inserted before the hole starts to close up. The intense inflamation from the radiation caused all the swelling.

I just have to keep on keeping on and hoping for better days ahead. Least that is what my mind keeps telling me, lol.

David in SC

David, your experiences must have a place in your next novel, can't imagine a good title since "To Hell and back" is already taken.

Keep pushing forward, we're looking forward to the day when catheters are just a faint memory for you... it won't be long.

Our best,
Jake

David, I must say my heart is heavy knowing you are suffering so much. I can not understand why the Dr. did not sedate you for the procedure. I prey that tomorrow is better. Rest my brother as much as you can. Tomorrow is going to be better.

Your Brother in PC
Jeff T

Thank you Jeff, but in fairness to my Dr., todays event shouldn't have been a problem, it was just going to be a quick 2 minute SP cath swap. By the time it went wrong, there was no time to administer any sedating drug, and time was of extreme escence to get the new tube in before the hole close for good.

Thank you Sephie, I was too tired and sore this evening to play that game - not much energy for that nonsense. You spoke well on my behalf and I appreciate it. Hope your John (husband, not toilet) is doing well.

Thanks Larry, even my uro concedes that it may take many weeks or a couple of good months to heal from that level of "burn". As much as he wants to tweek my bladder neck opening, he clearly knows that right now it is not the good time. He said that with this much evident pain in the area, I would never be able to tolerate having a regular Foley catheter in place. I don't need convincing of that.

I think between between being stress exhulsted last night and taking sufficient meds, I managed to rest and to sleep better last night than I have previously. I am hoping that will make for a better day.

Thanks for your care.

David in SC

David

I tried to finish reading your post for three times but I failed, as well as one of your other post. i just have to leave this forum for a while because just couldn't bear with those suffering words and feelings. It is hurting to see a human has to go through all that much of pain. I am so sorry and pray and hope you will getting better. feel better!!!

Jennifer

David

When I say leave this forum meaning close the internet browser then come back later. yous post doesn't bother me just they are not easy. when I was little my grandfather was in bed many years then died that i witnessed many painful moment that I still remembered. I do recognize the reality more then you think. I guess you are a very good and creative writter that I do enjoy read your post include the painful one (keep me come back to finish read it). Same as many other members here, I do feel pain when I seeing you are in the pain. you are right about this is a support and information site, I do care and support everyone here include you, the one who is has most trouble of pain. All I want to say is I wish you getting better, feel better, be happy!

Best wishes!

Jennifer

Hi David,
So Glad it is over for you. What an amazing, horrific experience. I am afraid my response is off beam a little compared to others, but I was just plain angry when I read your description. I am sorry, but in my opinion, there is never an excuse for holding a person down who is in pain such as you experienced. The entire experience should have been prevented or at least partially predicted. If minimal dental procedures can be performed under sedation for those with anxiety (common here in Australia, and safe it seems), there is NEVER an excuse, medical or otherwise, for putting a person through what you have been through. Especially given what you have already been through! You are a remarkable man to see it with such logic and empathy for those who put you through this, and to be able to see the bigger picture (of your health) at these sorts of times. Anyway, I will now jump off my soapbox, and wish you all the best in your now recovery from this. Thank you for sharing this most powerful account which needs to be shared. Have a wonderful. safe and happy Christmas season with your family David. Take good care & kind regards, Lana & CJ.