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Update from Catheter #7

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Posted 7/31/2009 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Bob, thank you for the kind words. It's not my call, but I think most of us would think a running record of your post surgery PSA scores important.

The leg bag I am using right now has the simple up and down lever, sometimes my pants leg will snag it open and suddenly I feel a nice flow going down my socks to my shoes, then, oops.

I am sincerely glad you are doing so well so far, hope it stays that way for years for you.

david in sc
Posted 7/31/2009 8:34 AM (GMT 0)
David,
I don't know how you do it! You made the kitchen floors gleam and you managed to go to an interview and had time to give strangers like us comfort !?! Between, eating, sleeping, pooping, bag changing and showering, my day is full. Last night I started to go to bed at 8:30 and just as I was slipping on my shorts I had a spasm that made parts of our bedroom floor gleam. By the time that was cleaned up it was 9:30. My how time flies when you're having fun.

In my brief experience with the leg bag I have found that it seems to put more stress on my system than the overnight bag. I seem to get more blood and bits when I wear it. I don't know if it the shorter length of tubing that is constantly pushing up and down or if it is the slightly extra pressure of the check valve. Yesterday I even clamped off my catheter, took off the bag, rinsed it and then (Warning! Look away now if you have a weak stomach!) blew air into it to inflate slightly in the hope that would help with the filling and draining. That probably violated 37 rules of sanitation but I am on antibiotics anyway so I might as well get my money's worth. Besides, I used a tissue over the end so my mouth did not make direct contact. The surprising discovery for me was the back pressure. I expected to see 0. It's tubing and a bag. Right? But no, there was something. I then squeezed the bag and noticed it did not deflate. So that meant there was a very good check valve on top. That bag is more complicated than it looks.

And you were thinking of a camping trip? Let's see... last time I checked it was the middle of summer and you live in SC. Unless your version of camping has air conditioning included, I'm guessing its going to be hot and sticky. I live up in the hinterlands of NY because I can't stand the heat. It got up to 76 yesterday and I was miserable. Don't feel bad if you decide to skip the trip. From what I can tell you are one of the strongest guys I know. You're allowed.
If you do decide to stay home, promise you won't fix the roof or repair that section of broken concrete in your driveway. Okay?
Jeff
Posted 7/31/2009 1:34 PM (GMT 0)
Jeff,

It was 91 F yesterday here with 71% humidity, that speaks for itself. The little camper does have roof top a/c and it seems to work, what is keeping me from wanting to go camping is the catheter. I am not embarrassed in front of my own family to be seen with it, but in a group of strangers, yuck.

The big bag with the catheter forms a closed system, much like the cooling system on a modern car (you know, you no longer have a radiator cap directly over the radiator, its over the expansion bottle). The big bag, its large tube, and the way the bag is vented, assures an even draw from your bladder into the bag. It's a pretty neat system really.

Now when you wear the leg bag, and trust me, I have tried about 4 different types, there is no system like the big bag. Its just a small plastic bag that hooks directly to the output end of the catheter. Yes, it tends to push back and forth with each step you take. That is why, the more I do or walk with a leg bag, the more it hurts, and in yesterday's case, bleeds. By the end of 4 - 8 hours with a leg bag, I swear it feels like someone stuck a wooden dowel rod up my weiner.

With the large bag, when you walk, there is enough tube length to keep the walking motion from messing with you.

(It scares me to think that I know tha much about catheter use, lol)

I compromised with the wife. I will have the towing rig ready when she gets off of work, good to go. I will drive her there (she would never find it) and the trailer has never been towed since the restoration was finished, so I am hoping nothing goes wrong, and will get her set up on the other end. When all is well, I will drive her truck home (about an hour), and have a peaceful weeked to myself. Then Sunday afternoon, when she has had enough, all I have to do is go back and pick her and the trailer up.

BTW, have you ever spent a weekend with a pack of nurses, all drinking and smoking, and gossiping about work the whole time? I am no fool, lol.

Best to you brother.

David in SC
Posted 7/31/2009 7:50 PM (GMT 0)
David, I just got back from the Vet after my 9:45 appointment to have the catheter removed. I was on the examination table when the LPN checked me and noticed that I had more pain on one side and my abdomen was very hard. They were concerned that I might have a leaking bladder. I was told get dressed and they sent me to have C/T scans done with and without bladder dye and with and without an IV dye. After those results came in they identified either a leak or something else in the bladder and were reluctant to pull it out until the pictures could be read by a radiologist. More waiting and leaking until finally the radiologist identified a diverticulum (sp?) in my bladder and that was the go-ahead sign for the LPN to finalze my divorce from Cathy the Catheter. Breathe in, exhale quickly, and it was all over except for the gushin'.
I also received my pathology report and updated my signature with the info. It's good news.
Now I'm sitting at the kitchen table, wearing a diaper and squirting radioactive pee every time I move. How's that for a visual? You are the first person I've shared this with.

Enjoy your relaxing weekend. You came up with a wise and reasonable solution.
I'm going to take a long shower now...

Jeff
Posted 7/31/2009 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
Jeff, sure bet you were glad to get the snake out of you, you were lucky they didn't leave it in another week to give some more healing time. Glad too that you got your pathology report, that is always a relief to know.

No shame in the diapers, we have all been there and done that. Least with the cath, peeing takes care of itseslf.

Hope you continue to heal.

David in SC
Posted 7/31/2009 9:52 PM (GMT 0)
Wow David, I've been gone for a while. Sorry to hear about the 7th catheter. No one deserves that. Your in my prayers.
Posted 7/31/2009 11:59 PM (GMT 0)
sandstorm, thanks for the kind words, we each have our own private misery factor with PC, I guess mine is the land of many catheters.
Posted 8/1/2009 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
I did get the travel trailer and my wife safely delivered and setup at the campground on Lake Hartwell, SC. One of her girlfriends younger husband was more than helpful getting me unhooked and leveled from the truck. She will have a blast, and I am back home on meds and comfortable as all get out.

David in SC
Posted 8/1/2009 1:11 AM (GMT 0)
I had a catheter for 6 weeks after my surgery. Leakage at the place where they hooked the urethra back together. 6 weeks of waiting for the next weekly "leak" test by xray. Sometimes it seemed like it would never end. It kicked the hell out of my self image as a man.

......but it ended. Now it is one of those bad PAST memories. I can relate to what you are experiencing.

My best wishes are with you. It did end....

Steve
Posted 8/1/2009 2:37 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Steve for sharing your story. I was on one for 63 days after surgery, then made it for 6 months without a problem, then a total blockage, been on this cath for 12 days so far. Suppose to be seeing my dr. on Monday afternoon.

Hope the injections work for you.

David in SC
Posted 8/1/2009 10:10 PM (GMT 0)

Hi David,

Too bad you didn't get to go on the maiden voyage of the trailer you restored. But, with the cath...best to do what you did.

I hope you get this blockage sorted out soon and.. know that my thoughts are with you as always. 

Mike

Posted 8/2/2009 12:26 AM (GMT 0)
mike,

thanks for the kind words. least i got to drive it to the campground and help set it up. wife reports no mechanical problems at all, and she slept comfy, and that the a/c almost worked too well. not bad for a 37 year old trailer.

getting uptight about the dr visit monday, you would think it makes me happy, but its all up in the air as to what will happen or not happen next. but i still have one more day to stew all that over
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