Redefine Success

Catheters are a confronting but vital-to-survival issue. I recently had SPC surgery, after failed IDC (Indwelling Catheter) and long term (close to nine years) of ISC (Intermittent Self Catheterisation). I now have an SPC (Supra Pubic Catheter), which is surgically placed and permanent. I will always now be connected to a bag, and have a surgical tube on me 24/7 that gets changed every 4-6 weeks. So, after nearly a decade, what would I tell someone whom is getting their first catheter?

Firstly, try pelvic floor physio to release the tension down there. Naturally, we want to guard our body from the pain, and tense up whenever a catheter is being inserted.

Also, side note, it is so confronting having to drop your pants and lay on a bed and have this tube shoved up inside of you, with about 5 nurses around gawking at you. Eeeekk! But my friend, I promise it gets better and easier with practice.

Remember that these nurses have seen everything all before, and they won’t be noticing your body, anatomy and any insecurities you have about this. They want you out of pain and to do their job!

My next tip is that you can ask for lidocaine applied topically, Funninly enough, this seems to be an