Posted 7/21/2013 2:22 AM (GMT 0)
I am the guy whose bladder and bladder neck were heavily damaged by radiation that was given on a completely empty bladder each time. It never healed up, only got worse over time, till I ended up nearly a year later having Urostomy surgery (Ileal Conduit Surgery), and had my bladder bypassed and now urinate via a stoma.
I was on a Suprapubic catheter for 51 weeks continuous. It's a much better option then self-cathing, especially if he is having to cath that many times a day. My uro/surgeon would not allow me to self-cath, as he said the damage in my bladder neck was so extensive, he was afraid I would hurt myself and do even more damage. Plus, I didn't want the extra stress and pressure of having to worry about that all the time. At least the Suprapubic catheter kept the bladder neck open during that time.
When we tested a few times, of having me urinate on my own, it couldn't be done without excruciating pain. After a few attempts, I was told not to try it anymore.
I went through 6 operations to open the bladder neck, but it would scar over so fast. In one instance, I had a laser surgery, and in less than a month, it had scarred 100% closed and had to be done again.
Each time, the surgeon warned that it could lead to permanent incontinence and cause me to have ED (which I didn't have), so there was a lot of risk involved.
BTW, a person can stay on a Suprapubic catheter for years on end, as long as the tube is changed out every 4- 6 weeks for sanitary reasons. In some cases, the patient can even change them out himself, but not always. This was an option for me, but the change-outs due to the extent of the radiation damage was so severe, that they were too painful each time the doctor had to switch out tubes.
I hope your husband can be found a better solution. Was beginning to think I was the only person here that suffered such great damage, sorry your husband has to join this rare club.
My best to the both of you,
David