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Bladder cancer and intermittent catheters

Meg1
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I had bladder cancer 15 years ago, but only last year I had major surgery to allow me to not have a permanent catheter. I now have to use intermittent catheter. But very recently I’ve needed to go through security for a concert and they didn’t know what to make of them. They thought it could be drug or alcohol related. After a lot of embarrassed explaining they finally let me go with them. Is there another way I can get through security in an easier way, as I don’t want to feel like I have to explain in so much detail again. Or a easier way to prove that they could be medical. Thanks 

  • Hello Meg,

     

    Thank you for contacting the online community and apologies for the delay in answering your query.

     I’m sorry to hear about what happened with concert security, I can appreciate this must have been awkward and I’m surprised security were so confused as surely they must have encountered this before. Have you contacted the venue or the security company about this? Perhaps they could be given some training to avoid this kind of situation in the future.

     

    Have you asked the Online Community to see if they’ve encountered any issues such as this Meg? There’s a bladder cancer forum and if you type in the word ‘catheter’ into the search function it brings up all the related posts.

     You could also contact the Bladder & Bowel Community to see if they have any advice or guidance.

     Your health care team might be able to provide you with a ‘catheter passport’ which is a guide to looking after a urinary catheter. Perhaps you could show this at events in the future?

     

    How are things otherwise Meg? Is there anything else we can help you with at all?

    Alex, Information and Support Adviser

    Remember you can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or by email.

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