Prostate cancer and catheter

Hello MrsWave 

And that's just how I arrived at a Prostate Cancer diagnosis.

I was having "issues" and my Prostate had grown, it stopped my bladder emptying and crushed my kidneys!! If you click on my avatar or name you can read the full story.

I ended up with an indwelling catheter for 10 months waiting for a TURP operation to resolve the situation which it did. Here's a link to the NHS guide to a TURP.

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

If you need any further details on the TURP operation or advice regarding your husband's catheter care - I am happy to help.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi MrsWave.

Good afternoon, yes my PC was picked up by accident when I was having a scan off my bladder pre: "Super Pubic Catheter operation"

I have had bladder problems for some years due to a Stroke at the age of 32. Due to the ongoing issues I had a permanent catheter fitted.

The "Super Pubic Catheter" is helping me greatly with my ongoing fight with the prostate cancer which is great news.

I'm also taking prescription tablets to help with my bowels too keep everything running as normal ish 

If there is anything else that I can help/support you both with please please come back to me!!!!

Prostate Worrier.

Thank you prostate worrier. This is really helpful. I hadn't heard of this and is great info to have when we see his prostate doctor. Sorry to hear if your troubles, keep positive. For me I always feel better when my husband is positive.

Thank you. We will see his doctor next week to see what the options are that are available to him. His pc is aggressive and spread to the bowel and liver and I'm getting the impression that certain procedures are off the table. Good info to have for the meet next week, thank you

Hello MrsWave 

Thank you for your reply - I am so sorry to read of the spread to both the bowel and liver so yes I agree, there may well be other options here. Remember we are all here for you and please let us know how you get on next week.

For the present time with a catheter it's important to keep everything clean to avoid any risk of a UTI. Once a day it's a good idea to boil some water, let it cool and then wash the area (without soap) around where the catheter enters the penis (clean under the foreskin if he's got one). There will be debris - it's surprising how much sometimes!

We are all with you both on this journey - if you need anything just ask and remember the support line is open to you and your husband on 0808 808 00 00 (8am to 8pm 7 days a week).

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi MrsWave.

You are very welcome.

I do hope that everything goes well with his prostate doctor. 

Yes "positive" is my middle name!!!!

Please try to keep "Positive & Strong"

Prostate Worrier.

Hello again MrsWave 

As Brian has indicated, one of the reasons the urethra can be narrowed is because of the size of the prostate itself which can be rectified with an operation to shave its size. Another reason could be that the cancer in an around the prostate may cause the constriction which can resolve itself once the hormone therapy gets to work - hormone therapy is often used to shrink the tumour prior to having radiotherapy to actually kill the cancer. Techniques like a supra pubic catheter are not usually offered until it has been determined that the catheter is needed on a more permanent basis.

In addition to the video I linked to previously I use the following one as a reference on how advanced prostate cancer can be treated by a combination of techniques both initially but also ongoing - it is fairly long at about an hour but well worth sticking with until the end. The one thing that we have discovered is that my husband's cancer is more responsive to radiotherapy rather than chemotherapy but for others it could be the other way round, but overarching everything is that there are a plethora of treatments available now with plenty more in the wings under development.

All the best for the meeting next week and please come back with the results and any more questions.

https://youtu.be/-RVVq0uDAEE?si=lcKslt9s3LsuyP8l

Very impressive story. Thank you for sharing. It sounds as though you PC was aggressive fantastic that readings are still improving.

Hello MrsWave 

I consider myself a "lucky boy" and although CKD has been added to my conditions I am still here to tell the story. 

Although I am on a "curative pathway" with my initial PSA of 182 I have that feeling my journey may not be over - but time will tell.

I joined this Community about 30 months ago and found the people here friendly helpful but most of all non-judgmental and have been happy to stick around and put back in what I have had out. Since becoming a "Community Champion" the training support and help from the full time staff has been amazing and although everyday is a "school day" I am happy to help.

Keep in touch and you know where I am if i ca do anything for you.

Best wishes - Brian.

Following on from this my husband has now been put on the triple. Zoladex, the hormone he was already on, plus Darolutamide and chemo, docetaxel. Hoping for a suppression of cancer growth and possible shrinkage of cells that are pinching the urethra.

He had 1st dose yesterday, but reading some posts the docetaxel can take quite the toll after several doses. As usual we wait to see hopefully positive progress. Once again, thank you guys your insights and advice has been so helpful.