Chronic Pain Support Group

Honey, Do I sympathize with you!!! I was just diagnosed with saddle anesthesia. That mean that I can feel anything around the saddle area, so I am self catheterizing also! I got out of the hospital about a week and a half ago and had this wonderful nurse that gave me a refresher course.
As a nurse myself I know how to put a catheter on someone else, but is not as easy when you are the subject and you have to "spread eagle", use a mirror, etc. in order to do the "deed".
Are you using Bard brand self catheterizing kits? Those are the ones that come with everything... the forceps, cotton, lube, etc. The most important part of doing the self cath is to clean yourself thoroughly! You need to take the cotton balls soak them in the iodine solution and start cleaning from right to left (if you are right handed and opposite if you are left handed).
Anywho, after cleaning, right, middle and left, without touching the tip of the cath, go ahead and put the lube on the thing and away you go!!!

I live alone also and have a mother that is very supportive and that is it, so I kind of know where you are coming from when it comes to the loneliness factor. I don't know if it is that I have always been one of those "the glass is halful kind of people", but I take my punches as they come and try to work with the hand that I have been dealt with.
After 4 spinal surgeries, fail backs surgery syndrome, saddle anesthesia, a left leg that is as good as driftwood and makes me mad because I have to use a cane all of the time, I couldn't tell you why I have this positive outlook in life, but I do!

I am not going to allow all of these little things defeat me or my spirit! I have a journal were I write all of my feelings, pains, etc. on every single day. I open it in the morning, write on it, cry on it, scream at it, and then I close it until the next day........... Life is too short to live it feeling sorry for myself. Got to get out of the house huneven if it is to take a walk around the block. Put on some make up, get all dolled up and then go to the market. I know that it doesn't seem like a whole lot, but every little thing helps to bring our self esteem and our spirits up.

I wish tons of luck and if you need someone to talk to, I am here....

Hugs,
Tipper

Oh, I do also feel for you! You have a good answer from tipper so I can't really improve on it. But I'll tell you a story since you're alone and would like an email.

Years ago I was a pediatric nurse, and had to routinely catheterize tiny ones. There was this one amazing baby. (She was born without a bladder, and had constant UTI's). Anyway, at only about 14 months old she had developed her own "breathing routine". She knew when I was ready to catheterize her and would take several little breaths in a row, then put her little arms down at her sides and hold perfectly still. I don't know if they teach adults any breathing routines, (?) but I thought I'd pass on this little tip from baby Brianna. (She's 20 now, and very beautiful). Her mom was an amazing O.T. who used to lecture in my class when I taught at Chapman University. She had another older child with hydrocephalus. Both children had stacked up about 60 surgeries by the time they were ages 3 and 5. They are both intelligent, happy adults now.

Wishing you strength to deal with your situation and I hope things go much easier next time around.

Oh sweety I'm sorry. That sounds really painful!! I've never had a catheter but I've know people who have had them and they can cause so many problems. I hope you feel better real soon!!

~gentle hugs

I am so sorry that you are suffering with so much on your plate. Family can be real bears when they do not want to understand.

My mom never understood why I needed pain meds for my damaged nerves until she got cancer and literally begged for stronger medication. She told me before she died, "Now I know what your life is like on a daily basis."