Catheter

Enjoy your day with your grandson, I’m sure he’ll be a welcome distraction.

Luce xx

Thank you....... I haven't spent a whole day with him since this darned pandemic started.

Bless, how old is he? We moved house to be near ours.  Always worth checking your zinc level when you feel down. Many meds and eating styles can lead to zinc deficiency. There's a taste test you can order. Ask your pharmacist before starting any supplements.

Denby

Hi Denby 

He's just turned 6 and just moved to the next village 4 miles away

I'm feeling much better at last, my energy levels are nearly back; I'm not feeling the exhaustion I was feeling.

It's just all this silly nonsense with my bladder not emptying that's getting me down. It had such on impact on my daily life. I just wish all the health professionals would make a decision instead of sending me pillar to post with no plan moving forward.

Sending love

Clare

Thanks Clare. Ours is 5 May just gone, I should have said, so pretty similar. Just a thought, there is Fight Bladder Cancer as well and possibly other groups, where you might post to see if anyone there has had this particular problem and what the best way was they/their medics found for dealing with it. 

Xx Denby

Hi Denby 

That's a good idea.....thanks.

I have read on cancer research UK that 1% have this problem after mitomycin c. So that may be the case, or it may be scar tissue I guess..... 

Off to pick up my munchkin for some adventures.

Sending love

Clare

• Hi Denny I have declined self catheterising due to working in peoples houses and on sites. I was told I had to be scrupulously clean or infection would set in. I have had enough of these, I feel this is just a way of fobbing me off as I’m desperate to be rid of the catheter. After I was discharged from having the tumour removed from my bladder I was told I would never pass a twice test until I had surgery to my prostrate, on my original diagnosis I was told that surgery was not an option as the cancer ( advanced) was to aggressive. What annoys me is that these consultants don’t sing from the same hymn book. 

The problem is that medicine is not an exact science. There can be recommended good practice, tried & tested vs new but uncertain, individual personal preference based on expertise or experience, local protocol, NICE guidelines, conservative vs aggressive treatment. 

As ar as self cathing goes, I don't know if it's different for men, but I find it's easy & clean without any special procedures. I don't wash my hands specially before starting, you don't need to touch any part that goes inside. The only bother for me is actually taking supplies with me (but they are pretty compact), that fact that I'm slower to empty than natural bladder, & disposing of catheter after (often have to bag it & take home).

Morning Clare, hope the time with your grandson was a cheer up and you chose some glamorous new glasses.x We definitely need plenty of little treats and distractions to help us keep plodding on with the demands of bladder cancer treatment. Hopefully you won't suffer so much pain and discomfort once the medics get to grips with why the bladder isn't emptying. It's all early days, things will improve. Sending you love x

Morning herothedog

I had a lovely time, thank you. We had a mini picnic when I had finished I the optician's and spent the afternoon watching movies and building lego. 

I have been put on solifenacin which just seems to be making the situation worse. I still have the urge to empty my bladder every hour but can't actually go. Ha ha.

I have my next Cystoscopy on 16th so hopefully I will be able to discuss it with someone then. Until then I just keep plodding on.......

Sending love 

Clare