By now you’re probably
sick of hearing about the trials and tribulations I’ve experienced while
adjusting to my supra-pubic catheter which was surgically implanted on May 10th
Just one more cautionary tale –
one about something I didn’t see coming!
Each week I have a visiting nurse stop by to
check my vital signs and inspect the operation site. Her job, on a monthly basis, is to remove the
old catheter and replace it with a new one (a simple task that takes about 10
minutes). The first time she made the
change was about 60 days after the operation.
Actually, the very first time the catheter was changed was by the
urologist’s nurse in the doctor’s office around 30 days after the procedure. So, after 2 different nurses had no problem
changing the catheter, I assumed every change would take place without a
problem. Little did I know!
Now it’s early on a Monday
morning and the visiting nurse isn’t due until Friday to change the
catheter. I‘ve awakened early each of
the prior 3 nights with a feeling of fullness (almost pain) in my bladder
area. On each of those 3 nights I could
only get relief when I moved to a recliner and changed my position.
My wife, Fran, called the visiting nurse service later
that morning and explained
my predicament.
Shortly afterward, the nurse called and confirmed she would
come over as soon as
possible. When the nurse arrived she
changed the catheter and I immediately got relief. It turned out that the old catheter was full
of a grit- like substance that clogged the diameter of the tube therefore not
allowing the urine to flow.
Hopefully, each month will
not bring a new adventure of this type.
I will keep you informed.
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