My catheter journey.

My catheter journey started over five years ago with the news my bladder was only ever half emptied when I went. I was already incontinent by this time and wore a nappy permently. I was introduced to the world of self cathing and tried various tubes but settled on one called a vapro. Anyhow I did it for about a year but not as I should have done some days not bothering at all. This ment I was still wearing a nappy. Well I got poorly with an infection and was really bad feever and flu like symptoms. My wife was trying to help me cath in the bed and change my nappy but it was all too much and I said call for help we need the district nurse to come. They came and said how would I feel about a foly catheter that is one permanently inserted up my penis with a bag. I said ok. Being catheterized for the first time while not under a general anesthesia as I had been a number of times in the past after surgery was not that bad. Embarrassing yes two nurses holding my penis in my bedroom but it was soon done. Every thing was fine and I introduced a flip flo valve in-between the catheter and leg bag to maintain bladder size and all was ok until the eight weeks change. The change went ok but I got sick again. And that's how it went every time I had it changed I got poorly. My urologist said take cefelexin antibiotics for three days before each change. Well it did the trick no more infections until Christmas Day. I was so poorly and ended up in hospital. Both my testicles were infected and my prostate. A few weeks later I went to see my urologist who said we need to get the tube away from the genitals how about an suprapubic catheter. I said yes and a few weeks later it was done in hospital under a general anesthesia. The wound got infected and I need antibiotics but I have had it now for three years and it's been really good in the whole. Yes occasionally I get an infection but rarely ever now. It's changed every six weeks. I had to say goodbye to my left testicle in January this year as a result of the infection on that Christmas day over three years ago. The operation to remove it went fine. I use a 16 fr tube and still use a valve and a leg bag. If I was ever told you can't have the catheter anymore it must come out I would be devestated it's the best thing I have ever had done that's had a positive impact on my life. Yes I know it's cost me a testicle and poorly at times but now I have it sorted it's the best for me. You must drink lots that's the key for infection free with a catheter. Thanks for reading.