A True Story

Recently I have been having a lot of kidney and uti infections. One of the most recent ones had me admitted to the hospital for a 10 day stay. This is a true account of what happened during my stay , the day after and then 1 week later at my gp's surgery. Hope you enjoy it.

I arrived in A & E with a raging temperature and severe pain when I passed urine as well as in my kidney areas and any time I moved. I had also been vomiting every day for 10 days. The doctor came in asked me loads of questions and left the room. He came back 5 mins later with his stethoscope, a tray with blood vials on and the dressing and tape for a cannula for iv access. He proceeded to listen to my chest and then back. He then lowered the bed and asked if he could feel my tummy. He started probing here and there and every so often I would squirm and jump as he felt a tender spot. He then asked me to give a urine sample so I left the room and walked to the toilet , peed in the pot , washed my hands and went back to the room. A waiting nurse took the urine from me and left the room. Doctor asked me to lay back on the bed and lifted my top to feel around my tummy again. He then told me to get into a gown but I could leave my underwear on. He left the room. 10mins later he was back. The urine dipstick that had been done indeed showed I had a uti. He then commented on the fact that my eyes were sunk and my skin was very dry. He said he wanted to take some blood tests and place a cannula so I could be started on antibiotics and given some iv fluids. I was then moved to a ward.

I was placed in a ward with 5 others and every one could hear what was wrong with everyone else . A doctor came to visit me a few hours later and said bloods showed I was severely dehydrated so they would continue with iv fluids and antibiotics but to try and drink loads. He said they would give me something to stop the nausea and vomiting too.

The next thing I know in came a male and female nurse carrying a small tray. I was told to lie on my side and lift my gown up as they had something for the sickness. I presumed it was an injection so I braced myself as the nurse pulled my knickers down. The next thing I felt my bum cheeks being parted by the female nurse and the male nurse then inserted his finger followed by two suppositries one after the other. It took me by surprise as I had never had one before (wouldn't ever say no though).

The nurse pulled my knickers back up and my gown down. They opened the curtains and left. This happened twice more that day/night.

A doctor came to visit the next morning and said they had ordered a kidney/bladder scan and now I had stopped vomiting would slowly reduce the iv fluids. I passed urine at 10:30am and then started to drink water. By 4:30pm the nurse filling out the charts asked me if I had passed urine that day to which I replied "not since 10:30am".He said to monitor when I went. By 10:30pm the night staff had come on but I still hadn't been. I had tried but just didn't need to go. I was given a large jug of iced water and told to drink it .

I drifted to sleep on and off. I got up to try and pass urine but couldn't. By 4:00am I was rolling round the bed in extreme pain. I rang my call bell and the nurse came. She said if I hadn't passed any by 6am they would have to catheterise me but they were really busy with a very sick patient. Nurse left and I just couldn't get comfy. I decided to try and go to the toilet. My abdomen was very distended and I was crying in agony by this point. I crawled across the ward floor to try and reach the bathroom. I managed to sit on the toilet but just couldn't go. I crawled across the floor and the person in the next bed pressed the call bell. In came the nurse who said she would call a doctor to come but didn't know how long they would be. Another 10mins passed and I was now screaming in agony. The nurse came in carrying a tray. She drew the curtain , put the tray down and pulled off my pyjama bottoms and pants. She then lowered the bed and my head end really low and put the leg end up high. She got me to open my legs in the frog position and lie still. The next I felt was her fingers shoving really hard into my vagina. I yelped and she told me to be quiet. Nurse then proceeded to wipe my urethra will something very cold. She then said I would feel a stinging sensation as she passed the catheter into my bladder. I lay with baited breath waiting for the stinging sensation. I was in that much pain from the distension that I only felt a really slight sting. After a good few minutes I felt a massive relief and all the pressure had released. The nurse asked me "was I now comfortable ?"

"Yes thanks " was my reply as the pain subsided

"I'm not surprised "she said

"It's drained 3000ml and it's still draining".

Just then a male doctor appeared. He asked some questions , nurse told him what had drained and he asked if he could examine me. I was now naked from the waist down under the covers as my pyjamas had got wet when the catheter was inserted. Doctor lifted my top up under my bra and proceeded to examine my whole abdomen. As he got to my pelvic area the nurse appeared after cleaning up and he asked her to stay. He then asked me to bring my knees up, open my legs and let them fall apart. He then moved the bedlight and started poking around my urethra. He said he wanted to give me a quick internal. He then inserted two fingers and pushed down much to my discomfort. He felt around for what felt like forever. He then removed his fingers , took his gloves off and said he would bring a colleague in the morning . There is lots more to this story. Let me know if you want to hear the rest .

@ niknoks,

If this really is true, WHY, WHY did you wait so long to go see your Dr?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? WTF!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I had been and had 2 courses of antibiotics that didn't do anything .I revisted my gp after 5 days and they changed the antibiotic but they didn't clear the infection .

@ niknoks Yes unfortunately that happens when the infection is sever and the GP did not I assume take a "clean catch" and sent for for MC&S ( microbiology, culture and sensitivity). Most UTI's can be treated with a course of antibiotics without the need for a sample being sent for MC&S.

On a personal note I would to hear what happen so please continue with the story.

PART 2

I slept soundly then until I was woken by the curtains being drawn round my bed.The doctor who came during the night was back with a male colleague and a nurse.All of them had a pair of blue gloves in their hands.He commented that " I looked more comfortable than when he saw me earlier" and they both asked me lots of questions.Colleague doctor then asked if he could examine me . The nurse helped to lift up my gown so I was now naked from under my breasts down.He felt all over my tummy area and continued to move down to my pelvic area .He then asked me to bend my knees and let my legs open.I was really embarrassed as the other 5 beds could hear everything and I had a nurse and another doctor watching my every move. I reluctantly let my legs open and the doctor started pressing all around my urethra which felt really strange.It was tender but also felt nice at the same time.He then said he wanted to do a quick internal.As he inserted his fingers , I automatically closed my legs .Pain shot right through my vagina and pubic area. He pulled his hand away , asked what hurt and said " he really needed to do it again".I tried to relax and was struggling so the nurse got me to shuffle away from the doctor and she sat in line with my waist in the gap.The doctor then come to the other side of the bed. I relaxed my legs again as the nurse rested her hands on my groin area both sides.Doctor just went for it and inserted two fingers whilst I squirmed with discomfort.He felt around for eternity and then withdrew his fingers and removed his glove.He said I was booked for a contrast KUB ct scan and was to remain nil by mouth until I had it at some point that day.

Another bag of iv fluids was put up and started and I was left to sleep.Later that day I had my scan.

The same doctors came to visit the next day and said my scan showed some scarring on both kidneys and they would continue with iv antibiotics for at least another 48 hours , but they would remove the foley catheter and see what happened later that day.At 4:30pm the catheter was removed.I was told to drink loads .I was reluctant as I really didn't want the pain from a few nights ago when I couldn't go.By 11pm I had drank just over a litre of water and was feeling like I needed to go.I went to the bathroom but I just couldn't go. I called the nurse and she said "wait another hour and keep trying .Drink more and you will be fine".

Stupidly I drank another litre of water over 3 hours and was now starting to get that horrible pain .I called the nurse and begged her not to let me get as bad as last time .She promised me she wouldn't and went to get the things ready. By the time she returned with a bladder scanner and a colleague I was in agony yet again. They scanned my bladder and it was showing 2400ml .Another nurse brought the catheter equipment to my bedside whilst another helped take my knickers and pyjamas off.I then endured an extremely rough and painful internal examination by one of those nurses.Thankfully the other one inserted the catheter. The relief again was immediate. It was decided the next morning I would have an ultrasound scan .That again showed scarring on my kidneys.

It was decided that I would go home with the foley catheter in and come back in two days for a cystoscopy.

The catheter that had been inserted in me was a size 16 and every time I moved it caused so much pain as it rubbed my insides .

Part 3 The Cystoscopy will be posted later today .

Thanks Niknoks for posting part 2 looking forward to reading part 3.

Great story - can't wait for the next part!

PART 3 THE CYSTOSCOPY

I was booked in for a cystoscopy two days after I was discharged from the ward.I received a letter telling me to take a dressing gown and slippers as I would have to undress. My appointment time was 2:00pm and I could eat and drink as normal beforehand.

I arrived at the desk and booked in.I read all the scare stories online so I was absolutely petrified.I was called through by a nurse after a short while.She asked me some questions, took a sample from my catheter and handed me a gown .Nurse told me to remove everything but my bra , put on the gown she handed me and then my dressing gown.

I was then told to wait in waiting room A .There was two waiting rooms one for males and one for females.

I changed and sat waiting for around 20 mins .I was then called through to a smaller room by a male in blue scrubs who introduced himself.He asked me tons of questions , explained the procedure and got me to sign the consent form.I was then taken down a small corridor and into quite a big room with a bed and lots of equipment.

Two female nurses greeted me .The urologist/surgeon stood behind me and took my dressing gown as I was told to lift up my gown and lie on my back on the bed.

The urologist then explained he would remove my catheter, clean my urethra area and then insert the cystoscope whilst I watched on the screen .

I was told to bring my knees up and open my legs as wide as possible .The nurse asked me to open my legs wider. The urologist said I would feel a burning sensation as they removed the catheter.It certainly did sting and burn .It really hurt.He did say my urethra was very inflamed.One of the nurses then proceeded to soak between my legs with cold water and washed me quite roughly.

The urologist then moved back to the side of the bed and said to take a deep breath in as he inserted the cystoscope.I took a deep breath and felt a burning sensation a bit more painful than a catheter insertion as it went inside me .I turned to look on the screen and all I could see was lots of red sores inside my bladder.He said that was normal catheter trauma especially since the catheter I had in was much larger than I needed. The rest of my bladder looked ok including the two little openings from the kidneys into the bladder.He looked around a bit more and then said he was removing the cystoscope. I felt a tug then a burning sensation again.He asked me to keep my legs up and open .He then cleaned my urethra and inserted a new foley catheter but a much smaller size.

He then changed his gloves and whilst both nurses watched asked if he could give me a pelvic exam.He was a very tall man and I noticed the size of his white surgical wellies as we entered the room so I was a bit apprehensive to say yes as his hands were large too.Anyway I agreed and then felt his fingers invade my vagina. He gave me a very thorough , very deep pelvic exam, lasting approximately 3 minutes.At one point I arched my back and the nurse touched my leg to get me to relax again .He removed his fingers and turned away .He then got another glove and asked me if anyone had done a vaginal/rectal exam whilst I was an inpatient .I replied with "no "and was asked if he could do one .I said "yes" although I didn't have a clue what to expect as I had never had one before. Then I was told to relax and felt his fingers invade both holes .He felt around and then removed his fingers.He took his glove off and then got lots of tissue to clean me up.With a nurse one side and him the other they wiped between my legs to get all the lube off. I was then given my dressing gown back and told to go into the waiting room and the urologist would call me through.

I waited about 5 mins and he called me into a small room.He said the cystocopy went well and there was nothing to see but they needed to carry out more tests .

He said the urology nurse would be intouch to remove my foley catheter and teach me how to intermittently catheterise myself .I would get further appointments in the post .

I will post PART 4 later.

Thanks for the comments . I will post the next part a bit later tonight .

Thanks Niknoks for updating and keeping us informed about your recent exams and hospital stay.

I can't wait for the next part

PART 4 - Learning to catheterise myself

The foley catheter had been in almost another 2 weeks when I finally received my appointment to go and see the urology nurse .During those 2 weeks having sex was amazing .Anyway the day of the appointment was day 5 of my period so I was at the end and had really light bleeding.I called ahead and was told it was fine the nurse would still see me .

I arrived and was called after a 20minute wait.I don't know why but the nurse didn't look how I expected her too.She wasn't very tall , rather curvaceous and had long black hair tied in a pony tail.She was very bubbly and said she could see me and her getting on as I was straight to the point.

We chatted about the removal of the foley catheter , what happened to cause the retention and the sort of catheters that were available for intermittent use .Then she asked me to remove all my bottom half clothes. I reminded her I was on my period and she said not to worry , that she would put extra protection on the examining couch .I undressed and she told me to lie on the couch .She then had a really quick feel around my pelvic area and said she would first remove the catheter.I opened my legs as told and relaxed into the frog position .Nurse then deflated the balloon and pulled on the tubing .It was very uncomfortable and most definitely hurt more than when it was inserted.I actually had tears in my eyes.

Nurse then said she would give me a clean and if I didn't mind would just examine me briefly seen as it had hurt so much .I was then washed by the nurse as she kept telling me to relax .Nurse then pulled the stirrups out and asked me to scoot down the bed. They were wider than expected as she helped place my legs in them . I was embarrassed because I knew I was still bleeding slightly. Nurse come to the side of the bed and said she wanted to examine me as my urethra and vagina were inflamed and may need some cream .I relaxed a little as she turned the lamp on and adjusted it to shine between my legs .She then pulled a small trolley over with some wipes , cotton wool , a bowl of water , 4 swabs and a metal speculum.I must of had a look of fear on my face as she told me to relax. She said the cystoscopy and examinations I had after may of caused some infection. I lay there feeling helpless as she again wiped my vagina .Nurse said she was going to insert the speculum first and then take some swabs .I held my breathe as the speculum entered me .I felt it open and then the poking sensation as she took two swabs .Nurse removed the speculum and then said she would do another quick pelvic exam as my cervix was inflamed . Her two fingers entered me and I tried to pull back .She really felt deep inside.Nurse removed her fingers and then changed her gloves .She then cleaned my urethra and swabbed around the outside .I sort of knew what she was going to say next and braced myself

"I'd like to swab just inside your uretha if that's ok.It may be a bit painful "

I just lay really still and waited for the intrusion. I cried out as she twirled the swab stick inside me . Nurse apologised , removed the swab and then said " finally now for what you originally came for ".

She kept me in the stirrups for a bit as she explained self catheterisation and pointed out my uretha ( even though it was now stinging like hell !!) with a mirror .Then she got a catheter and bowl and helped to guide me to my uretha .It was painful but I managed to insert the catheter and urine drained into the bowl. Nurse was happy with me so she left me to clean up and get dressed whilst she busied herself.

She then gave me a supply of catheters and said she would see me soon for more tests.

PART 5 A visit to my doctor . I will post later

Part 5 A visit to my doctor

After a few days I soon got the hang of catheterising myself .Each time I needed to pee I had to use the toilet and then catheterise to drain any remainder .I no longer needed a mirror and was able to stay seated on the toilet and just insert the catheter.

I noticed I was starting to feel a bit itchy and had some discharge .I went and brought a canesten vaginal pessary and used that .A few days later the discharge was heavier and I was also experiencing some lower left sided abdo pain that was quite intense at times .I called my gp and aranged an appointment for later that day .

It was a Friday afternoon and the gp I got assigned to was a woman .She is lovely and a very good doctor but she is also a talker .Her clinics are always running at least an hour late .My appointment was 4:40pm. I finally got called through to see her at 6:10pm .I explained my problem and she asked some questions then told me to lay on the couch .She drew the curtain round.Doctor then lifted my top up to just under my bra and felt all around my tummy .Then she undone my trouses and told me to lift up.Doctor pulled my trousers and pants down to below my knees .She continued to feel around my lower area and I almost leapt off the bed as she prodded my left side and down to my groin.Doctor then put some gloves on and told me to bend my knees and open my legs .She then inserted two fingers and felt around .Each time she touched anywhere near the left side I would bring my hand down and she would move it away. Then she told me to relax as she needed to pinch inside to feel for any hernias whilst she asked me to cough.I nearly went through the roof the few times she done it. Doctor removed her fingers and changed her gloves. She then inserted a plastic speculum and had a look.She said there was a lot of white discharge and removed the speculum.She couldn't take any swabs as it was Friday and there was nowhere to send them until Monday.She prescribed some antibiotics whilst I cleaned up and got dressed. I was told if no improvement by Monday to go back for swabs.Thankfully by Monday I was starting to feel much better and the discharge had decreased.

I continue to self catheterise daily .I have an appointment on July 24th for video urodynamics .I will post PART 6 after that test is complete .

Niknoks thanks for updating the story. Very well written hope all goes well with the Urodynamics study. It can be a little embarrassing at times.

Nicely done...ty for sharing.

Great story ty for sharing and I hope you feel better soon hugs Linda

PART 6 VIDEO URODYNAMICS

I'd had this appointment for a while. As the day approached I was getting more and more nervous. I read through the letter and the information sheet and it said if I could have a full bladder all the better. The test was to take place on one of the surgical wards. I arrived at my destination and an older man was sitting on some chairs to the side of a room. In front of some double doors was a screen that was pulled up quite close. I sat on one of the chairs and was chatting small talk to the man. After 10 mins his wife came out and they left . I was then called into the room by a female nurse. Inside the room which wasn't overly big was an examination couch with a curtain round it , a toilet connected to a computer , an x-ray table and a toilet cubicle . There was another female nurse in the room and a urology consultant I had never seen before. The 3 of them introduced themselves . Then one of the nurses explained that I needed to sit on the toilet in front of them and pass urine so they could check it wasn't infected. The consultant went to the x-ray machine and started getting that ready . I was beginning to feel really embarrassed that I had got to pee in front of these people. I undone the button on my shorts and pulled down my pants . I sat on the toilet but knew I just couldn't go . The nurse turned a tap on but still I couldn't go . The doctor who must of been watching from somewhere behind me said " we will leave the room for a minute to see if that helps "

They left the room and i peed almost instantly into the toilet that then printed off some kind of graph . I called to say I was finished and the three of them came back into the room. I was given a piece of tissue and told to wipe myself and place it in the yellow bin. The nurse tested the urine and as it wasn't infected the test could go ahead.

The nurse then told me to go into the toilet cubicle and remove everything but my bra and place the pink gown on. I came out of the toilet after removing my clothes to be told to lay on the examining couch on my back . THe doctor came over with one nurse and explained that he was going to quickly examine my urethera followed by a pelvic examination. Once he has carried those out he would insert a catheter into my urethra and then pass one into my rectum . I would then have to stand against the x-ray table as it is tilted upright . Saline would then be inserted into my bladder via the catheter and the catheter in my rectum would measure pressure as I was told to pee etc.

The nurse then asked was I happy with the explanation and if so to relax so the doctor could examine me. I told them to go ahead even though I was very apprehensive as the nurse pulled the curtain around. The nurse lifted my gown to just under my breasts . The doctor felt around my abdomen area asking if i felt pain anywhere. He then moved down to my pelvic area and continued pressing here and there asking me if it hurt or not .He then said he wanted to examine my pelvic area and asked me to bring my knees up and let my legs fall open . I opened my legs and the nurse asked me to bring them up closer to my bum . Doctor then put on a pair of blue gloves and told me to relax. He felt and pressed in towards my urethera whilst asking me if it was painful . He did say it was inflamed slightly most likely due to me intermittently catheterising. He then said he would carry out an internal exam.Two fingers invaded my vagina as he felt around . He removed his fingers and removed his gloves. The nurse that had been behind the curtain then appeared with a tray . The nurse proceeded to clean my urethera whilst the doctor put on another pair of gloves.The nurse cleaned me quite roughly causing me to squirm at times.The doctor then said he would insert the catheter into the bladder . They squirted some instagel in , didn't even give it time to work and inserted the catheter straight away . I then felt a finger at my rectum followed by the catheter .The gown was then pulled down and I was told to stand up and sit on the toilet directly in the middle of the room.

The two nurses came to the front of me where there were two chairs placed and the doctor went behind. One of the nurses went to the machine and connected a bag of saline. This was then connected to the catheter in my bladder.She pressed some buttons on the machine and the doctor told me to stand. He said the tube needed pushing further into my rectum which he proceeded to do. I was then told to sit back down . I was told to pee if needed but to let them know if i had any urges, felt full and was going to pee or if I could feel myself leaking. After 45mins of us just sitting talking in general about holidays , plane crashes etc I was now holding 900ml of urine . I had no leaks , no urge or wasn't feeling like I needed to pee. Every so often whilst the machine was reading I was asked to cough.The doctor asked me to stand up and he came round to the front and pressed on my bladder. He then asked if I minded if he lifted my gown and he then pressed again . Still no leaks or urges. By now I was holding over 1300ml . The doctor decided to carry out the x-rays now so whilst still connected to the machine via both tubes he asked me to stand on the platform on the table . The table was tilted upright and I was told to pee . I managed to empty 700ml out . The rest just wouldn't come. He took some x-rays etc and then they moved me back to the toilet. Again I was filled to 1000ml and told to pee into the measuring toilet. I managed to pass 580ml leaving 420ml still inside.

The doctor decided he had seen what he needed to and asked me to stand up whilst he put some gloves on. The nurses disconnected the saline and the doctor removed the tube from my rectum . He then asked me to lie back on the couch . He lifted my gown up under my breasts whilst the nurse drew the curtain. He asked me to open my legs and he removed the catheter.

He then asked me if I minded if he carried out another examination. He put on another pair of gloves and palpitated my bladder which still had quite a lot of urine in. He then told me he would do a recto/vaginal exam . I re opened my legs and lay there as he invaded both holes and felt around. He got me to cough a few times too.He removed his fingers and asked me to go to the bathroom , self catheterise and empty my bladder and then lay back on the bed. I went to the bathroom , washed my hands and inserted a catheter. I managed to drain 575ml . I removed my catheter , washed my hands , handed the nurse the urine and lay back down on the couch. The nurse drew the curtain again and all 3 of them were now standing by the side of the couch . The doctor put another pair of gloves on and said he wanted to examine me again. I raised my knees and let them fall open. I was really embarrassed that two nurses were watching as the doctor inserted two fingers into my vagina and pushed my legs open further.He felt around and then asked the nurse to get another glove. He then said he would do another recto/vaginal now my bladder was empty. He really pushed in deep making me moan with the discomfort. He kept apologising as he poked around and then he removed his fingers. Whilst he washed his hands and I got up he said he would see me in clinic in a few weeks , to continue to self catheterise 2 hourly.There was no mechanical reason as to why I retain urine it could just be one of those things. He said my pelvic muscles were ultra strong seen as I'd had two pregnancies, but there was lots of scarring on both kidneys. I was given a towel and disposable wash cloths by the nurses and was left to clean myself up and get dressed.

I will continue to update as I get appointments.

Niknoks,

I applaud your bravery and patience with this awful ordeal you are going through!

HUGS!

Andie

HI nicknoks thanks for the update to your story, As Andie has stated you need to be patient and persevere with this treatment . I know that it can be uncomfortable and embarrassing at times but is well worth any discomfort suffered in the short term. Hope everything gets sorted and returns to normal ASAP.

Regards

RN

Let's hear the rest

What wonderful writing. I do hope all is well with you now.

Thanks for the comments.Tests are still ongoing at the minute as is the intermittent catheterisation every 2 hours .

I hope you get some answers and feel better soon! Also, you are a very good writer.

Hope you have a speedy recovery niknoks 😉

You are one brave lady.

Good luck with your tests and procedures and may you get the result you want

Wow, you really have been through it. Thank you for sharing in detail, that really is brave. I hope the underlying cause is soon resolved.

I'm sorry I haven't updated this thread in a very long time . But life continued much the same . I've been in and out of hospital constantly with some pretty bad kidney infections and urosepsis. Anyone that I spoke to in the chat rooms or that read my blog ( sorry I've not updated that either in ages) would know I talked and posted about having the Sacral Neuromodulation Stimulator surgery .

Well last Sunday I went and had part 1 of the surgery .

I arrived at the hospital around 12midday about 45 miles out of my city not knowing exactly if I'd be going home after or staying in. Originally it was decided that I'd have an epidural . But I'd read in the literature given that some people can handle it done with a Local Anaesethetic.

So, I met the nurse that would be present throughout . I was shown to my bed and there was the standard gown placed on the pillow . I was told to take everything off including my bra and knickers, empty my bladder and my Consultant would be in to see me shortly .

There was another lady there that had come back for part two. We were chatting to each other about how it was going etc and she said she'd had part 1 done with a Local and was fine. So I thought I'd ask about having the Local Anaesethetic too because I then knew I'd get home later that day.

My Consultant then arrived with the nurse I'd seen already and the Colorectal Surgeon whom I'd never met before . We had a chat about the procedure and then I asked if I could have the Local Anaesethetic instead of the epidural . My Consultant said I could if I was sure that I was comfortable with that , so I signed the paper . He told me I would go into the operating theatre at around 2pm and the whole thing would take about an hour. Once the Local Anaesethetic had then worn off the stimulator device worn outside my body would be turned on. But until it had been I'd have to lie on my tummy as I'd have the electrode sticking out of my lower back and once placed under no circumstances can it be dislodged.

At exactly 2pm the theatre assistants arrived to wheel me down. I had butterflies in my tummy. I was scared, nervous and excited. This is my only chance of my retention being corrected and infections lessened. At the minute I'm getting an infection every 2-3 weeks . My whole life has changed because of this . I was told I've got a 50% chance that this will work for me, so I decided to take that chance . I will likely still have to catheterise to empty residual amounts but I should at least get the feeling to need to go and be able to pass some urine myself. At present I can go all day holding as I get no feeling or urge to go . So have to catheterise myself every 2-3 hours.

We arrived in theatre . There was the nurse, two theatre nurses, the anaesthetist, my urology Consultant/Surgeon and the Colorectal Consultant/Surgeon . I got asked to get off my bed and lie on the table on my left side. I got asked if that was my signature on the paper by the anaesthetist as I lay down. He then said that he would apply some iodine to my back and then give the injection. I was told to lift my gown up to under my breasts, bend my knees and lie as still as possible . I'd never had a Local Anaesethetic before so I was a bit anxious as to what it would feel like.

The next thing I felt was the injection going in. It definitely wasn't pleasant but it wasn't the most painful injection I've ever had. Whilst it was working the two Consultants were asking me questions. Then the Colorectal Surgeon put on some gloves and said he would do a quick rectal exam . He also said throughout the procedure he'd be carrying out a rectal exam often as he needed to make sure they were attatching the electrode to the right sacral nerves .

So, he did the exam asking me to breathe in and then contract my sphincter muscle . That was all fine . So after 10 minutes and me going numb they were ready to start . For the next 45 minutes all I felt was the odd pulling sensation . I was asked around 5 times to contract my sphincter muscle, making sure the electrode was in the right place whilst the surgeon had his finger in my rectum . It was weird because although I could feel his finger in there I couldn't feel myself contracting the sphincter . But within the hour the stitches were placed and I was on my tummy being wheeled back to the surgical ward.

The Local Anaesethetic soon wore off enough for them to turn on the device. When they first turned it on the stimulation it gave felt like a deep tingle in the pelvic area. I was made to stay in the hospital for a few hours . When the Consultants came back I got another rectal exam just to check I had all the same feeling in my rectum, which I did . They showed me how to turn the device off, if it becomes painful or too much for me to handle . I've been told not to shower or take a bath for 3 weeks whilst I'm on the trial period . No heavy lifting , bending or lying on the back for 3 weeks as the electrode can't be dislodged.

After 3 weeks I will return to the hospital . If my symptoms have improved by at least 50% then I will have another surgery that week at some point to place the device under my skin on my lower back/ buttock area . The device operates with a remote control that I will be able to control myself. The device has to be turned off to go through airport security devices and at supermarkets it will set off the security alarms ( how embarrassing) . But I have a card to show just incase . The device has to be replaced every 5 years due to the battery wearing down . Sooner if symptoms start to come back as it means it's wearing down.

If it hasn't worked I'll need a Local Anaesethetic to remove the electrode. At that point they then make a decision if I'd be a candidate for the other sort of electrode. The procedure is not so straightforward with the second electrode, but I think I'd still take the chance when it's my only chance .

So here's hoping that on the 9th June I get the answers I want to hear . It's early days yet and I've just spent 5 days in hospital with infection but I'm already getting some feeling when I need to go . Let's hope it continues.

Nik

Sending all kinds of cyber best wishes your way, @Nik

@Nik, you have been through so much..... I truly hope that this works for you.... It is a bout time you have some good fortune for a change..... Know that I and all of us are here for you...