Saturday, June 24, 2006
Absolutely No Bladder Control!
It's now over a week since I had my catheter taken out. I had imagined that after a day or so I'd be taking longer walks and having Gwen take me out to coffee shops by the river and by the ocean, both of which are close to our home in Perth.
The reality is considerably different.
My specialist had given me exercises to do to help with bladder control. He said that some people show a marked improvement within seven to ten days. But for others it can take four to six weeks or longer to get a reasonable degree of control.
Now, women tend to be more used to facing up to these challenges than men. As a result of operations relating to childbirth, prolapse, hysterectomy and the like they often have problems with their waterworks. At the health club I frequent, it's not unusual to see ladies suddenly dash out of their aerobics or pump class. I presume to make an emergency trip to the loo.
This means that they talk to one another about this stuff. Blokes don't, which means that I don't have anyone to compare war stories with....which means that I feel a bit anxious, inadequate and irritable.
It's been eight days now, and I still have virtually no control. Most of the time when I stand up and walk around it leads to a virtual waterfall! Of course, I'm wearing the equivalent of adult nappies, but it's still extremely offputting.
As a result, I do a minimal amount of walking, and today will only be my second outing to a coffee shop close by. Meanwhile, I keep practising my exercises. Hold one, two, three. Hold one, two, three!
