Question about Turbt procedures

Well Les, that was a pretty important piece of information--that you are a woman. I'm all for equal everything but it is certainly different when it comes to things like catheters!

Glad you found something that helps and a better doc. We're always happy to help and this is the place to vent as well whenever needed.

Mike

Sorry for the confusion--I'm a 58 year old Woman. Anyway had turbt yesterday where they found two lesions, a cyst, and did 10 random biopsies. This after 6 BCG and interferon treatments. I'm bummed. Catheter is annoying and I have to leave it in until Thursday. Showering and getting dressed is a major ordeal. I did go up on our deck and have my decaf. I have a bag with long handles to put the foley bag into and carry it on my shoulder. More comfortable than leg bag. Btw I got the bag at target.

All-in-all, I like the new doctor much better. He gave us his cell number if we have any concerns this weekend. So far pain is tolerable with a little Vicodin. No work for 10 days and then a reduced schedule.

I'm glad I found this site. Other than my hubby, no one wants to hear about this stuff.

Karen,

T0 is CIS. Ta is then the lowest "stage". Grade is the measure of how aggressive the cancer is. Good that you are continuing with the BCG.

Here is a great link that explains stage and grade. There will be a test.

cancerhelp.cancerresearchuk.org/type/bladder-cancer/treatment/bladder-cancer-stage-and-grade

Mike

I found sleeping in my recliner worked out a lot better than in a bed.

Also use a good quality lube like KY. The cheap ones tend to dry out and leave scaling behind that hurt. Like little daggers of death is how someone described them.

Use a warm moist wash cloth around the cath and penis to clean it and soften the lube that is left before you reapply.

Hang in there, it only feel like for-ever!

Mark

Mike,

I thought that the TNM: Ta was the lowest grade (maybe grade is not the right word). In the range of levels. The plan is to do another BCG set of treatments following the procedure to remove the cancer. Thanks again.

Karen

Les,

Glad to hear you switched to a major center for bladder cancer! Enough studies show that to be a major factor in better outcomes.

As for the catheter comfort. For men, the problem often tends to be growage and shrinkage of penis. Use KY liberally on the tube where it enters the body. I think it is like a minimum of four times a night while sleeping that the average male gets an erection. Not due to dreams or anything else, but just basic anatomy. Without lubrication, that can cause major discomfort.

The other thing is to make sure that the clamp that they attach to your leg to stabilize the hose is positioned properly. Again, when sleeping, if tossing and turning, tubes and that clamp can get out of position and can pull and that can be a problem. Try to adjust sleeping position to partial sitting up position like in a hospital bed and that can reduce issues as well.

Don't let the grand-kids or the dog try to run off with the bag while you are wearing it and never tick off your wife with a drainage bag in easy reach.

That's pretty much all I can think of. Maybe others will chime in with other suggestions.

Best of luck on the TURB. Keeping fingers crossed for "ALL CLEAR"!



Mike