My Life with "Cathy": Self Cath, what??

A&P Repair Surgery

After 3 babies, 3 full marathons, numerous half marathons, etc... at age 41, I was diagnosed with vaginal prolapse and needed A&P Repair Surgery. This included a cystocele, or bladder lift with sling. My surgery was on October 7, 2014. Both my gynecologist and my urologist who performed the surgery reported the surgery went very well, very successful. However, after a night in the hospital when the catheter was removed and I tried going to the bathroom I couldn't pee! I went home with a foley catheter and told to follow up in a couple days with my urologist. Little did I now this would be just the beginning of my adventure with "Cathy"...

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Self Cath, what??

Urologist appointment this morning to take the foley out and try to pee on my own. I was so excited and really positive. They took the foley out and I went to work. They said if I couldn't pee then just come back to the office. They acted like it would be no big deal at all... so I followed along. I went to work, drank my normal (large) amount of water and by lunch time was more than ready to go. So, with all of my nerve I went into the bathroom and tried. Nothing. Not a trickle. Turned the faucet on to hear the trickle from the tap. Nothing. I did deep breathing exercises. Nothing. Even visualization techniques. Nothing. I started to panic. I decided to head straight back to the urologist office since I was literally stuck without being able to pee. It took me 30 minutes to get there by car and by the time I got there I really had to go. They ushered me straight back to a room... got the catheter in and I had about 2 liters of urine that came out. I was so relieved. So, the female PA came in to "teach" me how to catheterize myself. And, by that I mean she did it once and handed me a few 14in Fr intermittent catheters and said just use lube and be sure to clean before with iodine solution. WHAT!?!?!?! I left there crying, feeling completely unprepared. I went home and took a nap for an hour and woke up and felt like I had to urinate. Oh crap. I started to panic. It was almost 4pm and I knew I needed to do this or get myself straight to back to the urologist office. So, for almost an hour I "tried" to self cath. OMG, where is that pee hole? I laughed when the PA at the urologist office started teaching me that women have 3 holes... DUH lady. Everybody knows that... but little did I know how close the urethra is to the vagina... but boy I tried. Never finding it... never able to master the self cath. I drove as fast as I could back to the urologist. Crying to the receptionist of the phone, praying they would still be open to relieve my bladder! So, made it back and just in time. I thought my bladder might burst. Does that even happen by the way? Anyway, I got another self cath lesson and was able to do it in the office myself which really helped. I learned how far back the urethra is and what angle to hold the cath. I was scared, but somewhat empowered by learning this. I left with a prescription for more self cath supplies and high hopes for progress...

Man, this diagram would have really come in handy...

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Anterior & Posterior Vaginal Wall Prolapse

Anterior vaginal wall prolapse (Cystocele or Urethrocele)
This type of prolapse occurs when the supportive tissue or fascia supporting the bladder stretches or detaches from his attachments on the pelvic bones. This loss of support allows the bladder to prolapse or fall down into the vagina.

Symptoms of anterior wall prolapsed are variable. Often as the anterior vaginal wall prolapsed worsens it progresses outside the opening of the vagina. Sometimes the bladder may not empty well which can lead to urinary frequency, nighttime voiding, loss of bladder control and recurrent bladder infections. Anterior vaginal prolapse also affects support to the urethra, which can lead to urinary incontinence with activity such as laughing, coughing, sneezing, or exercise. Anterior prolapse often occurs with prolapse of the uterus or top of the vagina where the uterus used to be in women who have had a hysterectomy.

Posterior wall prolapse (Rectocele or Enterocele)
This type of prolapse occurs when the support tissue or fascia between the vagina and rectum stretches or detaches from its attachment to the pelvic bones. This loss of support allows the rectum or intestines to prolapse or fall down into the vagina.

Symptoms of posterior vaginal wall prolapsed typically include a bulge sensation, but women often complain of problems having a bowel movement. Women may have to strain more with bowel movements of have problems with constipation. A common complaint is that women have to put their finger in or around the vagina or rectum to help empty their bowels.