Continent Diversion - Indiana pouch - questions and concerns

16 years 5 months ago #9280 by timb
Lol. I was just trying to prove to myself that I could if I had to! :P

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16 years 5 months ago #9278 by Zachary

If it relieves Mike, please tell him that I've never had to cath at all, or even come close to it. Tim, except for a bit of morbid curiosity, hasn't had to either.

Believe me, I worried about this plenty. It turned out to be just another thing that I worried about for nothing.

Zach

"Standing on my Head"---my chemo journal
T3a Grade 4 N+M0
RC at USC/Norris June 23, 2006 by Dr. John Stein

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16 years 5 months ago #9277 by Melodie
Liz,

It is a tough decision and I pray you make the right choice for you. Thought I would share....for me, I would have selected the neo-bladder if I had been in a different location, with very experienced doctors and IF I could have talked with women, such as Holly, who were successful in staying dry and not having to cath themselves. I think the decision has alot to do with the surgeons and procedure and also age as a determining factor.

In my area, I could only find two doctors who did neo-bladders for women, and the women I talked to wwh had them were told prior to the surgery that they would most likely have to cath themselves...so I was like Pat, and felt that the pouch was the best choice for me. Since my insurance did not cover me out of state, I wasn't prepared to lay out that kind of cash to go elsewhere when I knew no doctor could guarantee what the outcome would be.

I was a bit concerned that I would have difficulty adjusting to the sight of my stoma and how to take care of it but truely I loved her from the first time I saw her...and I found it very easy to cath myself from the very beginning...yes, I have had my share of frustrations with mucus and bladder irriation but now after two months, it is getting much easier for me. I go shopping and have no qualms about cathing at restrooms as long as I have my supplies with me...and as time goes on, I get smarter about how to pack those items. I have even parked along side a country road and taken care of business...it was easy and I felt very comfy with the idea.

Hope this helps give you a better idea of what it's like to have a pouch. Melodie

Melodie, Indy Pouch, U.W.Medical Center, Seattle, Dr. Paul H. Lange & Jonathan L. Wright

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16 years 5 months ago #9273 by Stephany

You know, Joe, that has been one of the questions in the back of my mind....if you had to stop the car and pee on the side of the road, etc? Have you gotten any answers?

Stephany in Iowa

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16 years 5 months ago #9272 by mikeg
hi liz. after much discussion, research, agonizing, etc., my husband finally decided on the neobladder. it seems to be easier for men than for women to be continent with a neobladder. he gets up at night about every 2 hours anyway, for years now, so it shouldn't matter if he has to get up once - that should be a relief, in fact! we finally decided that the reason one goes to a world-class surgeon like dr. schoenberg at hopkins is to get the most cutting-edge surgery. otherwise, go to some local doctor. but as i said, men have more luck with the neobladder than the women.

my husband's problem with the neobladder was not with the concept of it, but with the fact that there is a possibility that you may have to catheterize yourself through the penis. he is totally phobic about catheters in the penis. also, you come home from the hospital with a catheter for 3 weeks or more. but he finally decided to take the long-term view of it and is going to get the neobladder. let's just hope that when they get in there they're able to do it!

good luck with your decision - we wrestled with ours for about 4 months.

eileen

Michael
Age 58
Stage T2-T3, muscle invasive
Married to Eileen
2 sons, ages 20 and 23

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16 years 5 months ago #9268 by Mike
Take care Holly and please enjoy yourself you deserve it. Joe ;)

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