tangerine wrote:
Sorry to hear this Brian.
I have to ask, is there a reason you can't have a suprapubic catheter? Surely this isn't worth so many surgeries and pain.
Good question, I have not had good luck with catheters in the past, and due to my bladder urges I would have to have a catheter in place 24/7 to stop it from filling (and therefore prevent my urges). I did heavily consider a low pressure suprapubic, but again would always need that catheter, and of course a collection bag. And as bad as a catheter is for me, those bags have also been an uncomfortable pita for me too.
As you may be aware, I am also much more comfortable and like wearing a diaper too- I just always have been.
So, before even my first surgery the simplest and most comfortable solution seemed like removing my sphincters would be the best approach- for me. Whereas a suprapubic would have requied a more dramatic "reconfiguration", and dependency on bags and catheters which I still don't feel comfortable with.
Of course I was also misinformed and led to believe just three or four surgeries would have been enough. And they have been incrementally working a little more each time, so while not a success yet they haven't been failures either.
I suppose at this point I'm sort of invested in this approach too. If that makes any sense. It keeps seeming with these few last ones like just one more will be all I need too- if only though right.
Lastly, I guess I've been a bit hardened to expect pain in my life. Ever since my car wreck 22 years ago, I've always been in constant pain. I've come to realize that going through a moment of intense pain to lessen it later, is better than having moderate pain all of the time too. Yeah, these surgeries have been WAY more painful than I signed up for (especially this last one with the laser), but to me a surgery is almost always an acceptable risk when considering the intended or expected relief it is to bring.
That's why I opted for the sphincterotomies instead of the suprapubic. Now if only they'll get me to where I need to be.....