Urine retention

Hi , sorry to be reading your post. Hopefully the medics can resolve the problem and let you both go on holiday . Hugs to you both .

from one frustrated wife to another . 
liz & OH xx

Hugs back to you

Gill xx

Hello 1966 

I am so sorry to read of your husband's urine issues - I am pleased to say I managed our 45th wedding anniversary in May without a hospital visit - but congratulations anyway..

I have suffered urine retention due to an enlarged prostate (it's not nice!). The answer is to fit an indwelling catheter and then arrange a TURP operation to "shave" the bottom of the prostate and clear the urethra. Now my enlarged prostate was caused by the cancer, if it's a benign swelling it may go down. The issues I had was having to wait 10 months for the TURP operation (see my profile for full details).

I have attached two links for you, this one the NHS details for the TURP:

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/transurethral-resection-of-the-prostate-turp/

The other link is for travel insurance as you are planning a trip to the U S of A.

 Travel insurance forum for cancer patients 

I can confirm that whilst waiting for my TURP operation I had the catheter for 10 months and flew 3 times with it - there's no problem flying with one but there is a special procedure going through security at the airport.

i hope this helps - if I can do anything else for you please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kind Regards - Brian.

Hi 1966 , I am sure others will be along with more experience than me in due course.  I guess you are going to have to wait for urology to check what is happening and then take a view.  In my simple layman’s terms, the RT gives your prostate a kicking and this sometimes aggravates it or the RT might do some collateral damage to the bladder.  I was unable to pee one weekend after RT and remembered that just before chemo I had been given a pack of Tamsulosin, and about an hour after taking one tablet I was peeing again, I can’t explain the relief.    Focus on the trip abroad and unless the medics advise against going, I hope you have a great trip.  Best wishes, David.

Hello 1966

Sorry to hear of your husband's problems and the obvious anxiety this is causing you - especially with regard to your upcoming USA trip.

As Brian has said, it is quite possible to have an indwelling catheter long term. Some patients have them for years but they do need to be changed regularly.

The important thing until they try your husband without a catheter (commonly called TWOC - trial without catheter) is to practice good catheter hygiene to avoid a urinary tract infection. So, don't touch the very ends of the catheter and drainage bag tubing  when changing bags and gently pull back the foreskin and clean around the catheter tube with cooled boiled water and clean swab daily - washing your hands before each of these!

If this were my husband, I would be contacting either urology or the prostate cancer nurse specialist team and telling them about your planned trip and asking their advice and for an appointment in good time before departure date. If they decide to leave the catheter in while you go away, ask for guidance on what to do if it gets blocked. If they decide to remove the catheter perhaps it's worth asking if you can have a 'standby' supply of tamsulosin in case he goes into retention again?

Finally, don't forget to tell your insurance company what is happening so that you are fully covered whilst away.

I was in a similar situation after my husband's radiotherapy. We were desperate to go away for some warmth and sunshine. The oncology consultant told us not to leave the country for 6-8 weeks after the radiotherapy because problems could still occur in that time. I asked what sort of problems and he said, 'urinary retention'. I was so worried about being in some far off foreign land where I could not speak the language and we waited for 6 weeks before jetting off as instructed. My husband's only problem while away was tiredness and brain fog. It was a very sedate holiday:)

I do hope you can get this resolved, can go away and have a wonderful holiday!

Thank you all for your supportive and helpful replies

Nurse at A & E said he could shower but not have a bath.  Not sure about this as information seems to differ

Does anyone know as he loves a bath to relax 

Hello 1966 

I was told it's a shower only - and I agree 100% with Worriedwife about how to keep it clean - it's very important.

Best wishes - Brian.

Just an update

Husband fitted with an indwelling catheter and we were told the TWOC ( trial without catheter) would be in contact with an appointment 

Heard nothing so rang urology but unable to get past reception who just said he would be rung,  felt we were stuck in limbo

Still heard nothing so spent last weekend leaving voice messages and sending emails to everyone I had contact details of on our prostrate cancer journey so far

Our prostrate cancer specialist nurse picked up the email when she returned from holiday this morning and acted on it Straight away

Consequently we were given a date for an appointment this afternoon 

Just hoping the trial works and he can pee again as he is adamant that he won’t go to USA with a catheter in

The NHS is great, the medical staff we have seen amazing but I do think the admin can be problematic, apart from this issue we have been given two appointments with oncology, were not told about them and consequently did not attend so had to rebook 

I feel that this journey is stressful enough without adding unnecessary 

I

and we are luxky