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Posted 4/22/2009 4:36 AM (GMT -8)
Here we are. Tomorrow at 11:30 AM Mr. daVinci takes on Mr. Prostate. It's been a long journey and we're hoping that Mr. daVinci wins by a knockout.

Strange, but other than the pathology results, the thing that's freaking me out is the cath for 10 days. We've been buying diapers, special soaps, antiseptics. leg tape, etc and not planning on going out in public or having visitors for the duration. My general question is...Just how bad is it? My specific question is... Can the cath leak and should we get a mattress cover?

This site has been a real comfort for us and thanks to all. A quick prayer around 11:30 tomorrow couldn't hurt, by the way.

Tony
Posted 4/22/2009 5:33 AM (GMT -8)
Godfather

Hello. I had DaVinci june 07 the Cath isn't that bad you will get a leg band that holds the cath to your leg you should get a bedside bag and a leg bag so when you have to go out it isn't visable. You will do fine

I would suggest for the first few eeks that you get a rubber sheet to go under the mattress pad this is only precautionary I did leak slightly from the cath but nothing major. (if it leaks major you need to call the doc and get them to check it out)

Good luck on the surgery you will be surprised how quick things will get back to some what normal there will be some inconveniencies but in the long run you will be cancer free
Posted 4/22/2009 5:48 AM (GMT -8)
Godfather,

I had the catheter for two weeks. Never leaked, just worried about it. The first week I felt too lousy to do any entertaining or going out, although I did do regular walking around the house. But by the second week, I decided to start driving, took the kids Christmas shopping, etc. Couldn't walk too fast, but it was good to get out. I did use lots of lidocaine gel. Surgery pain was only bad the first couple days, and even then the pain meds took care of it.

Good luck, look foward to hearing from you on the other side.

DJ
Posted 4/22/2009 5:54 AM (GMT -8)

I had mine in for five weeks. I was able to wear shorts to work so emptying it was a piece of cake...Not sure why you'd want to be a recluse for the duration. If you wear jeans or slacks - no one will know you have a cath....You should be able to go several hours without needing to empty it...

Since I was wearing shorts and didn't tie the thing down...it slid down my leg twice shocked Luckily no one saw it happen.

Posted 4/22/2009 2:35 PM (GMT -8)
Hey Tony, good luck tomorrow, i will say that prayer at 11:30 tomorrow, i am scheduled for 4:00 pm. We will talk again soon.
Jake
Posted 4/22/2009 2:54 PM (GMT -8)
I hope that you didn't buy a lot of pads. I bought two boxes of 50 each and never used any from the second box so threw them away as I didn't know anyone that could use them. The 10 days went by really fast and the other advice posted is very accurate.
Posted 4/22/2009 3:26 PM (GMT -8)
Jake:

I wrote on your thread - good luck tomorrow. If I'm awake and lucid, I'll be thinking good thoughts....

Tony
Posted 4/22/2009 3:57 PM (GMT -8)

In the two years since my surgery I have read on this forum many posts about the cath.  Two years ago the nick name was Hang for the cath.  I had the cath for 13 days.  It was not that bad.  The third day after surgery I walked a mile with the cath.  It was well concealed in any of my normal pants and I went out to eat and to church with it.  No one could tell I had it.  Of course I used the leg bag most of the time and the big bag only during sleeping.  I do not see how it can leak.  The biggest problem for me was the pulling on the end of the penis which made it tender but I quickly learned to lube it up with the neosporin.  The cath was no big deal compared to dealing with the incontinence after the cath was removed.  Some do not have that problem and hopefully you are one but the majority end up with some degree of incontinence for a few weeks.

Tamu

Posted 4/22/2009 4:10 PM (GMT -8)
Jake and Tony,

As a minister, prayers are sort of my specialty. I'll be praying for both of you tomorrow.

The cath was not so bad. Had mine for 15 days. I just wore long nightshirts and stayed indoors except for walks around the back yard. No leaking at all. No pain either.

Bless you both, and we will see you on the other side of surgery, where the healing (physical and spiritual) takes place.

Rev. Bill in San Diego

Posted 4/22/2009 5:08 PM (GMT -8)
I'll just echo what several others have said.  Looking back it wasn't so bad although I really didn't like having the cath in for the 10 days.  Keep the end of your penis and the tube well lubed and you'll be fine.  Didn't leak at all.  I would also say to be careful about what you prepare for post catheter.  My wife went out and bought a package of adult diapers and a large package of pads.  I used one pad the first day, one pad the second day and the third day quit wearing them at all - I know I'm one of the lucky ones but I still have the diapers and pads as souvineers. David

Posted 4/22/2009 5:19 PM (GMT -8)
Godfather,
I had my catheter for 8 days. It wasn't bad at all. At night I connected it to the bigger bag that I put next to my bed. During the day, I used the smaller bad that is strapped to your leg> I was able to walk with the bag, go to the store, drive, and went to the movies. The only problem I had was when sitting on the toilet the catheter was pulling a little bit so I got a toilet seat riser.
Posted 4/22/2009 5:19 PM (GMT 0)

    I do not want to wish you any bad luck but my cath leaked most of the time I had it.  The only way it would not leak is if it was pulled "tight".  The Doc checked it out a couple of times and they did not seem to know why it would not seal?  I used the "belted" depends undergarments.  I also used women's pads and tape to help stop the leaking around the cath tube.  I only went out when I had to go to the doctor!

    I'm sure you will do just fine.  KW

Posted 4/22/2009 6:39 PM (GMT -8)

Hey Godfather,

Good luck buddy for tomorrow, we went out and bought tons of pads too, but we wasted our money cus I did not need them, I was dry within one week.  The catheta tube looks kind of large and you think it wont fit, but it does, and there is now pain what so ever.  I know its easy said mate, but dont worry about it, it was a walk in the park for me, and 10 days goes pretty quick.  It comes out real easy too, and again no pain what so ever.  The water works was not a problem at all for me, but still working on Mr ED, he is still a no show, but they tell me patients is the thing.  Once the op is over, you will feel alot of relief, I know I did. Very important to keep those floor muscles working, right up until the op.  Good luck and cheers ............Rookey.

Posted 4/22/2009 7:09 PM (GMT -8)

Good luck tomorrow Tony and Jake,

Catheter is an inconvenience, to say the least.  Keep the tip of the penis lubed up with Neosporin as well as the tube itself where it enters. If they have it installed correctly, the leakage should be minimal.  Remember, briefs, not boxers.  The toilet seat riser is a good idea to keep the pulling to a minimum.  If you use a handicapped toilet you'll see a world of difference.  Sometimes the strap tends to slide down your leg with the small bag if you're active.  I used an ace bandage, wrapped loosely, around the top strap and that helped.  Wear sweat pants.  The bulkiness tends to hide the fact that you're wearing the bag and you can go out in public with nobody noticing.  Have a supply of pads at home for the return trip and from then on it's "hang in there "until it's out.  lf you drink a lot of water, which is recommended to get the hospital drugs flushed from your system, expect to empty it fairly often.  Fluid intake equals fluid output...so plan accordingly. 

All the best,

Bob

Posted 4/22/2009 7:31 PM (GMT -8)
Best wishes to you. I too just went through the procedure and had the catheter removed yesterday after 12 days. At first it take adhusting to being "tethered" to the new plumbing system. it doesn't hurt, it's just annoying but can be dealt with. After a few days you learn to accomodate the tubing and use the leg bag during the day. Eventually you can even walk around the neighborhood just make sure that the rubber straps are tight. You will be emptying it routinely so don't be concerned about lugging around a full bag. At night you have only a few positions that you can sleep in in order to accomodate the tubing which is different than the day devise. As we all did, give up your modesty and listen to the nurse who will teach you how to take care of yourself.

Teddy G

Posted 4/22/2009 7:56 PM (GMT -8)
Godfather, I will say a prayer for a good surgical result for you. The catheter was very uncomfortable for the first couple of days. I felt that the bladder spasms were caused by the catheter but I may have had them regardless. As others have told you, sweat pants work great for wearing the leg bag. Drink a lot of fluids to the point of having very light colored outflow. I had no leaking. Had to sleep on my back or side to accommodate the tube. After the first week, I found that it was nice to be able to drink a gallon of coffee without getting up.
Removal was easy. I wore one diaper, and one bag of pads. I am improving slowly every day.
Good luck tomorrow. Check back in when you are able.
Posted 4/23/2009 8:43 AM (GMT -8)
Godfather:

Well, I guess it is happening for you as I write this. I absolutely wish you the best.

I had a cath for 8 days. It is shocking at first, but you will be surprised at what the body can get used to.

I never could get comfortable with the leg bag, so I just wore khaki cargo shorts, put the cath bag in a cloth carrying bag and carried it around. I did not go much of anywhere for the first week, but when I went back to the Dr's for removal, I wore what I just described, and nobody seemed to pay much attention.

Good luck,
kcragman
Posted 4/23/2009 12:03 PM (GMT -8)
Godfather

My wife took some boxer briefs and modified them for me so that the waistband unsnapped and snapped back shut. It really made the catheter easier to deal with in bed. Just slept on my back and never had any leaks at all. I only had it for 6 days so I never used the leg bag. Just carried the bag around in a canvas utility bag like a purse. Piece of cake!
Posted 4/23/2009 5:18 PM (GMT -8)
My friend who's a nurse recommended we get a scrip for viscous lidocaine to keep it lubed.

Dana

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