Friday, May 05, 2023

The Cysto Kid

There was a certain man who had a certain TURP urological operation to improve flow. That was back in early February, and it worked despite some ordeals with the catheter for a week. It was wonderful to experience normal flow, but it didn't last all that long. Two months later, as April broke, this man turned to his wife and reported that he seemed to have regressed to pre-surgery conditions.

Throughout April it got worse that ever, and the best he could manage was drops and dribbles. Over two days last weekend, he recorded every passing-of-his waters. He went 38 times in 48 hours, averaging once every 76 minutes, seldom over 100ml and often under.

He forwarded the information to his urologist who brought him in quickly for a cysto (cystoscope), and he watched the monitor as the probe went it. The opening to the bladder was so scarred and tiny that the probe could not penetrate.

Said doctor dilated the opening as best he could and booked a second TURP surgery for June 21: the first opening that he had. It's a long wait, but hopefully, the dilation will last until then. If not, it is surmised that this Cysto Kid Oldtimer may get to enjoy yet another dilation event in the interim.

*   *   *

As I filled in the pre-surgery paperwork, on which one ticks off all of one's health concerns, most were negative, and I seemed to, otherwise, be very healthy. Go figure. Eh.

23 comments:

Judy from Maine said...

I am sorry to hear this. Fingers crossed this time it will work and in the mean time you are not in too much discomfort. Sometimes it is a b…. getting older as they say.

Patio Postcards said...

Thankfully you were able to get in to your specialist quickly. Let's hope that the dilation does help until surgery. Oh what a bother for you & Sue.

Barbara Rogers said...

Ugh, that's so awful. Considering it's impossible to live without doing that natrual function, you are dealing with discomfort as well as being tied to the bathroom. I'm glad you got some treatment and the earliest surgery possible. Now for May and most of June to go by quickly. Remember when the phone company wanted us to install phones (on cords of course) in the bathroom? Maybe a nice TV should be in yours!

Marie Smith said...

I hope the last procedure was indeed the last until the surgery, AC. Take care!

DJan said...

What distressing news. I do hope they will eventually get this problem fixed! :-(

Ed said...

I had never heard of a cystoscope. I hope I never have to experience this in person!

gigi-hawaii said...

Awful and horrible. I hope all goes well.

Marcia said...

Ouch! Well, at least you know what to expect from the surgery this time.

Boud said...

Well, dammit, we thought you were all set. Let's hope the dilation lasts till the next TURP. Meanwhile, keep busy with other things as you can fit them in?

Red said...

sorry to her that your problem has returned. Let me tell you something you know. the catheter is a very painful and frightening experience. procedure.

PipeTobacco said...

Oh, I was actually worrying that might be the case since your posts had gotten sporadic, and you are typically quite regular (more so than me at times) in posting.

Hopefully the dialation will hold through June and your next TURP will be great and it takes hold fully for you.

I do not know if your urologist has ever considered a stent for your prostate urethra region. From what I have heard they can often be very helpful and typically have minimal negative side effects. If the second TURP reverts back, perhaps that could be an option for you.

I keep hoping my prostate does not enlarge.

PipeTobacco

PipeTobacco said...

And, not sure this happens much in Canada, but perhaps you could be placed on a cancellation list….. in case someone’s surgery is cancelled, so you might get in earlier? It could be a little nerve wracking to get a call saying “come in tomorrow” unexpectedly….. but still might be worth it if your urologist has such a list.

PipeTobacco

gigi-hawaii said...

Maybe you have an enlarged prostate. David takes medicine for his.

Margaret said...

What a pain! I'm on a diuretic for B/P and pee a lot but you have me substantially beat. Hope that the dilation works until you can get a more permanent fix.

RedPat said...

It all sounds so painful. I hope the dilation lasts until the procedure. keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Jenn Jilks said...

I am so sorry about this. I have a video taken when JB had a cystoscopy! It was quite something.

William Kendall said...

Ouch.

Debby said...

Oh no. I am sorry to read this, AC. It really sucks that you"re starting the whole thing over again.

Joanne Noragon said...

Yes, what a disappointment. I'm rooting for you. At least they can't puncture your lung.

DrumMajor said...

Glad you ran to the doc in the 76 minute span that you had. Bummer that it needs to be redone. Sounds crazy, but if you're frequently "leaky" you may want to consider wearing a condom cath, with the drain tube outside into a leg bag. Might be good if you want an adventure more than 76 minutes long. Ask the urologist to send out the nurse with various condom caths. As an RN who worked at the VA, yep, I could write oodles about this. Linda in Kansas

Granny Sue said...

Oh, that is awful, AC. Once was bad enough, I am sure.

Kay said...

It all sounds painful. I'm glad it did eventually go off OK. I'm hoping it will last forever.

MARY G said...

That is one really painful pun.