Jonathan was mortified at family dinner last week when we ended up talking about catheters.
Here's how this odd, non-family-oriented discission came about.
Perhaps you recall that I have been self-catheterizing once daily since sometime in June. It wasn't my idea you understand. My urologist recommended that I try it, and so I have.
It does help: at least enough for me to defer the dilation procedure that was scheduled to occur this week until late next month. I hope to then postpone it again because dilation is not a whole lot of fun.
This is while I await an appointment with the specialist in Ottawa. It has only been 8 months, and I was told the wait might be that long,
Yes, I am now getting back around to the family discussion, but one has to ease into these things, for there is always a backstory to unravel.
Back in June when this all began, I was left high and dry without a supplier for catheters. The nurse had come and shown me how to do the procedure, but she then departed, leaving me with a handful of catheters. She said that she'd get back to me with a supplier, but she didn't.
While we were searching, Shauna came through and ordered some through her workplace: a seniors home that she manages.
The second set of catheters that she sourced for us were pricey, so we got to calling the manufacturing company directly. They were even more expensive for individuals like us to purchase. Each catheter could have cost me close to four bucks. A hundred and twenty bucks/month is a heckuva lot for this guy.
So, we have been trying to work through Shauna's connections again, and so, the topic came up at supper, or I should say, after supper while we were sitting around the living room.
It was then that Jonathan asked, "What is a catheter?"
I had to tell him, and that is when he became mortified. I offered to show him one, but he didn't want to have anything to do with it.
That, my friends is the story of Jonathan's mortification.
Except to say that I think that I have a two month supply coming from Shauna that will not cost $4/day.
Haha. I just hope that Jon doesn't need a catheter in his future. I am glad that Shauna has been so helpful.
ReplyDeleteIt is an understandable reaction on Jonathan’s part. Imagine yourself at that age listening to your grandfather discuss such an issue…
ReplyDeleteNow he knows not to ask! A question for later, or for Google!
ReplyDeleteAh there it is. It did show up in spam after I said that it didn't. lol
DeleteHe will never look at you the same way again!! This is a good story.
ReplyDeleteCripes. The things that they overcharge on!! Another ripoff is sanitary supplies. But maybe do not try that one on your grandson.
ReplyDeleteUm, menstrual products. How to call a spade a shovel, eh.
ReplyDeleteNice turn of phrase there. 😊
DeleteAh, becoming adults...so Jonathan now knows a strange and necessary procedure. I would have felt the same learning about my father (never knew grandfathers close enough to hear such). And I'm sorry to hear the price of your supplies. What happened (rhetorical question) to socialized medicine?
ReplyDeleteI now get my pharmaceuticals free or almost, but equipment isn't covered -- hearing aids, glasses etc. I do get free eye and ear exams, and I get a tiny bit of help with the hearing aids.
DeleteAm I in spam?
ReplyDeleteI guess you are, but you're not there if you know what I mean. I did see your comment earlier, but it is gone. And if I replied, that is gone too. Ah, the mystery.
DeleteI thought with the troubles you had had all this time Jonathan would have had an education on the matter.
ReplyDeleteHe knows a bit more now, unless he has mercifully forgotten. 😊
DeletePoor Jonathan - what a rude awakening.
ReplyDeleteWell, at his age I would have been uncomfortable too, especially when my gramps was talking about the process. I think it's good for him to understand it though.
ReplyDeleteThe topic came up by accident, so I answered frankly. I do tend to do that, even on the blog, as you may have noticed. 😊
DeleteThe innocence of youth.
ReplyDeleteThat is sort of funny in a way. But also horrifying if you never thought you'd have to talk about such subjects.
ReplyDeleteI recall having a talk about specific medical products with my grand kids and they were young enough to not be mortified but more curious. The things we talk about!
I was rather horrifying to me when it was first suggested., so just imagine.
DeleteThis made me laugh! I can just imagine my sons' reactions at Jonathan's age...they would have scorched the floor leaving so fast! Consider how you have broadened his education.
ReplyDeleteStill smiling. Poor kid!
With different genes (I think he's more like his dad) he will probably never have to face such an issue. On the other hand his dad is diabetic. There is always something.
DeleteI am confused…. if your doctor has prescribed them for you, why aren’t the catheters covered (free) to you? And, even though the nurse never got back with you who helped you learn to insert one….. wouldn’t it have been cheaper to call your doctor to get them through him/her prescription for you rather than ordering the catheters from Shauna’s work?
ReplyDeletePipeTobacco
Pharmaceuticals are just about covered for seniors, but equipment isn't unless one has private insurance. It's a hole in the system. I am glad for the system in general, however.
DeleteI have a electric nebulizer for my asthma. The medicine for it is covered by my insurance but the equipment to deliver the med is very pricey. Sorry to hear the cost you pay, both in needing it and paying for it. Seems like a dirty trick.
ReplyDeleteHere's something to ease Jonathan's mind: technically a catheter is: a tube that goes inside another tube.
ReplyDeleteSuch as: in the world of nursing, an IV catheter, is the little tube usually with a temporary needle in it, to poke through your skin into a vein, when the needle is removed (ya didn't see them do that did ya?) and what remains is a tiny flexible tube that sits inside your poked vein to draw blood, or is taped to your hand or inside of your elbow, to give you IV fluids and medicine.
Another catheter is having a heart cath, where the doc pokes a temporary hole in your groin artery and threads another tube up to your heart to check things out, then removes it. That's when the nurse applies pressure to your groin artery to eventually stop the bleeding.
We've got catheters for lots of body parts. The urinary ones are just the most helpful and accessible. Just like U.S. politics, you guys have no problems, unless your prostate gets in the way. And there's a special catheter for that too, called a coudea catheter. (Stiff plastic and curved.) We ladies have a much trickier method to take care of bladder problems with self-cath catheters. Having a bladder muscle (it IS a muscle) that won't contract is not fun.
Yes, find out the supplier from the blasted nurse who didn't call back to probably get the best deal. It's a marketing racket here, and I presume Canada, except their catheters are colder. Cheers, Linda in Kansas
Colder?! LOL.
DeleteI do not want to know about one more kind of catheter. 😊
DeleteIt was okay for Jonathon to be squeamish.
ReplyDeleteWhat are we for if not to embarrass our grandchildren?
ReplyDeleteI mean, it was a conversation that had to happen!
ReplyDeleteHa! I understand his reaction; however, all males need men's health info and perhaps we should all be less "unsettled" by the info. And who knows? Maybe this will plant a seed in him to someday work in health care.
ReplyDeleteHe would be good in health care.
DeleteI can imagine that most males would not like to think about catheters! Glad you got a workaround that doesn't cost so much.
ReplyDeleteI guess Jonathan does not want to be a nurse in the future. The procedure sounds rather painful. Yay for Shauna! That's terrific!
ReplyDelete