Posted 11/5/2014 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
Getting the catheter out is an experience unto itself. Oh what fond memories. It goes something like this...
Step 1. Make sure the surgical attachment of the urethra to bladder is good and does not leak. This means filling your bladder with contrast and using x-ray and imaging to take pictures looking for potential leaks. The process is very uncomfortable. On the upside you don't have to drink the contrast. Instead they overfill your bladder by connecting the catheter tube to a bottle of contract and elevating it so it drains directly into your bladder. I was on my back with a very very full bladder on the x-ray table in considerable discomfort and the radiologist says "ok, now turn to onto your side". I laughed, which didn't help, then I realized he was serious. So I struggle to get to my side all the while a mixture of urine and contrast solution was leaking all over the place out the end of my penis which yes still had the catheter in it but I did manage to get on my side. Then after what seemed like forever (but was probably only 5-10 min) of getting pictures, he finally said, "OK lets get your bag hooked back up" and I was finally able to drain my bladder. What a relief...
Step 2. Make sure you can urinate on your own. For me this was about 30 min after step 1. I went straight from radiology to my urologist office in an adjacent building. After getting a wet read from the radiologist (its called a wet read from the days of film development which they really don't do anymore since everything is digital, but they still call it a wet read). No leaks so they start the process to remove the catheter. First they fill you bladder again, similar to the process in step one and just as uncomfortable except they use water/saline instead of contrast. They then remove the catheter. This is done by deflating the little balloon at the end of the catheter inside the bladder and then sliding the whole thing out. I was expecting this to hurt but I didn't really feel much (other than the need to pee,pee,pee). Next I get up (leak when trying to sit up) and walk about 10 feet to the little bathroom inside the procedure room to relieve myself. I was leaking on the floor the whole way there. Once over the toilet thing (not a real toilet but a contraption with a toilet seat on it meant to determine your urine flow) I emptied what was left in my bladder. Success. They then use that ultrasound thing to make sure you're not pregnant...I mean you bladder is indeed empty. If all goes well the catheter stays out. If you cannot empty your bladder the catheter goes back in.
Remember to takes pads with you.
Step 3. Kegels, Kegels, Kegels....you can not do them enough, you need to build these muscles if you ever want to get bladder control back...
...But other than that Mrs. Lincoln how was the Theatre?