Hi Naomi,
I'm a little confused, having an indwelling catheter for five years
isn't that long. in any event, I certainly would get a second and
third opinion before undergoing such drastic surgery. And even if
your bladder has shrunk does it really matter?
As for your eroding urethra, I'm no doctor, but it seems there should
be some easier way to fix it.
Dan
At 07:31 PM 5/17/2010, [email protected] said something that elicited
my response:
I am a C-4 quad with an indwelling Foley catheter. My urologist says
that my urethra is eroding, and suggests I have a procedure called a
urostomy. He performed a procedure called Urodynamic, which measures
the amount of urine your bladder can hold. Mine is holding less than
an ounce of urine. So now he wants to remove my bladder, and make me
a new one using part of my small intestine. During this procedure,
both ureters are relocated, a new bladder is made, and urine as
directed from the body through a stoma in the abdomen, which
connects to a bag that adheres to the skin. I am going to the
hospital on Tuesday to have an MRI, to make sure that it's safe for
me to have this procedure because I also have Crohn's disease and
disturbing my small intestine, may cause my Crohn's to flareup
(which is a very terrible thing).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
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My dilemma is this: I have to choose between having this very
invasive surgery, and all of that may come after it including
infection from many sources, including the new bladder, ureter
relocation, the stoma, and skin irritation from the adhesive for the
bag, and not to mention the Crohn's flareup
Or.
I can wear incontinent briefs which I don't have anyone to change
them, because there's just me and my 80 year old mother, living
together. She won't be able to change them throughout the day. I
have an aide comes in the morning and gives me a bed bath and get me
in my wheelchair. The rest of the day, there's just me and my mom
here until bedtime (around 9:00 PM) when my nighttime aide comes to
put me to bed. My catheter bag is usually not emptied from morning
to night. My mom cannot handle me to change briefs, and if they're
left on, I would have all types of sores.
Does anyone on this list have a urostomy? If so, how is it working
for you? I would love to hear what others have to say regarding my dilemma.
Naomi.
C-4 quadriplegic due to Transverse Myelitis
since July 2, 2005
Have a Blessed Day, Naomi
