I normally don't get into....

**slick** · 09-22-2005, 10:08 AM

Thank goodness you and Terry are there for him. I will continue my prayers for him. It must be hard on his son as well. How is he coping?

**anna_66** · 09-22-2005, 10:35 AM

Deb, what a wonderful hubby you have rushing to the aid of a friend like that.
I hope it's all just side effects and he's doing better today.

I'll say a prayer for him.

**kuhio98** · 09-22-2005, 11:32 AM

Originally posted by Tubby & Peanut's Mom
I guess what happened was that, like Bobcat, he had a catheter in last week right after the "procedure" but then they removed it. He hasn't really been able to urinate since they removed the catheter - just little dribbles here and there - and it must have all been building up inside, which is not only painful but quite harmful too. So they reinserted the catheter and gave him some pain meds. I guess he hasn't been sleeping well at all the last few nights because of the pain, so hopefully he got a good nights sleep last night. Terry said he looked like he was in rough shape, so I'm glad he finally called and I'm doubly glad Terry was in the area to help him out.

Bobcat had a few of these kinds of setbacks too. I don't want to get too graphic, but he ended up having a catheter in a lot longer than the doctors had planned. Until he's all healed up, it's important that he get his bladder scanned regularly. It will show how much waste is building up and if he truly is emptying his bladder. Now, this next part is not for the squeamish.....
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You might not feel comfortable having this conversation with him, but here's what worked for Bobcat. After several weeks of wearing a catheter and a couple of bladder infections, the doctor started trying to talk Bobcat into "self catheterization". In that way, he wouldn't have to have a bag strapped to his leg and all that. But, it would involve inserting a tube several times a day to drain his bladder.

Well, as you can imagine, this was not something a guy wants to think about. But, here's what the doctor didn't tell us for weeks and weeks.... The tube/catheter that you would insert is much, much, smaller than the tube in there now. Once the nurse showed Bobcat how to do it, it was a piece of cake. Without the large tube in there constantly irritating "things", he healed up much faster.

Please give your friend our best. I can PM you our phone number if he wants to talk to Bobcat and get a guys take on things.

Lisa

**Rachel** · 09-22-2005, 11:56 AM

I've read recently about green tea being beneficial for people with prostate cancer. They might have used green tea extract in the study. My recollection isn't the best, but it would be worth exploring to see if you could find something on the web.

Lisa, how wonderful that you could share Bobcat's journey with Debbie. It might be exactly the kind of support that her friend needs right now.

**lizbud** · 09-22-2005, 02:19 PM

Debbie,

Prayers on the way for your friend.I know this condition is
curable, if caught early enough. I pray that he is one that can
be successfully treated.

**jesse_3** · 09-22-2005, 05:12 PM

Prayers are on the way for a quick recovery for your friend! The only cancers I have had in my family is lung (he died

), breast cancer (she is alive and well!), and kidney cancer (he is alive and well!) Cnacer is beatable, just let him know to never give up!-No matter how bad the pain is!

Steph, Jesse, and Splinter

**gini** · 09-22-2005, 10:33 PM

Debbie, you can count on my prayers for your friend. Goodness how much we learn from each other when we share these experiences.

How terrific that Terry could be there for him - what a great friend he is to your friend!!