Here we go again...
Since about 2011 I have had various experiences with prostate issues. I once wore a catheter and bag for about 12 months before an unsuccessful operation in 2013. Then I self catheterised until a successful operation in 2014. Since then, as far as I felt, things have been fine. Early this year, however, I injured my back and the doctor in the Emergency Department checked out my bladder for retention. I was, according to her, retaining too much fluid. She referred me to Urology at the hospital and their investigations confirmed her findings. They wanted me to go back to a catheter or at least to self catheterise. I debated with them. "I am healthy." I argued. "You could get infections though?" they replied. "But in my experience as soon as you start poking things up there, I WILL get infections. Leave it alone, we'll keep an eye on blood tests and if they start being a concern, then we'll do something." (I found I could not self catheterise anyway.) The last appointment I had they decided to put a camera "up there", and they told me I will require further surgery. They warned me that this procedure may cause discomfort and some blood in the urine for the next few days.
A holiday that got extended...
The next day we were leaving town to go to Wellington (NZ's capital city) to look after our grandchildren there for three days, then have two nights "rest" before coming home. On that day I learned that a man I knew quite well had died of a heart attack, and his parents asked if I could take the funeral. So we arranged for it to happen a week later, a Tuesday, knowing we would return home on the Sunday before. For the three days we were looking after the children I felt that "discomfort" and I began having trouble passing a decent amount of urine. I had feelings of being cold. Then on the Friday night I woke in the middle of the night shaking uncontrollably, getting hot, then cold and with a blinding headache. Next morning I went to the emergency department of Wellington hospital. My temperature was very high, my pulse also was very fast... I was unwell. They admitted me, put a catheter and bag in and began intravenously feeding me antibiotics, saying that 24 hours should let me still catch the plane back to Dunedin and be well enough to take the funeral. But after 24 hours my condition had not changed and I had to phone the family and get them to arrange someone else to take the funeral. I stayed in hospital for another three days, and then flew home, catheter and bag still in place, and a long course of antibiotic pills. I had been very sick apparently.
Back to the future...
I have got the message from Dunedin hospital that I will be wearing a catheter and bag until I get surgery! (Heaven knows when that will happen?) I am learning all over again how to cope. On the first night at home I kicked the tubes and it came apart, so we had a wet bed to clean up. Lesson learned. On the third day home I decided I needed to get back and visit chaplaincies. I climbed into my van and headed off, then I felt my shoe filling with pee. I had knocked the tap on the brake pedal of the van. I have now got it worked out, but it is not easy. I led a funeral the other day and was conscious as I stood in front of everybody that I had this apparatus in my trousers. I cancelled my attendance at a conference in August. I could not imagine coping with it all staying in a hotel with others. It takes longer to shower and dress. It often is uncomfortable. ... and I could go on about the inconveniences of it all. In hospital I had "urosepsis" which sounded scary when I read about it on line. It was no wonder the doctors looked concerned when I was not responding. I looked up the bug that they say caused it and learned that it is a bug that is almost always encountered in hospital or health care facilities and usually the troubles happen through contaminated medical equipment being used. I was not happy when I heard that, and my already low confidence in the Dunedin Hospital Urology procedures, went lower! I remember my warning to them, "If you start poking things up there, I WILL get infections." The impact on us and others over that time was quite disturbing.
But I enjoyed hospital...
In hospital I was sick, I had trouble getting sleep, the cold porridge and soggy toast for breakfast was ghastly, but weirdly, I did enjoy it. I loved the compassion of the doctors and more so the nurses. I met some lovely people, and really appreciated their care. They were simply quality people. Also there were texts and messages from people in my chaplaincies, expressing concern, best wishes and a desire to help. I laughed. On facebook I had an update ending with "Wish me luck." A hard shot guy at the brewery responded with, "Luck's got nothing to do with it, just get your sad sorry lard arse back here!" I responded with "I love you too Ken." because really it was his way of saying, "I am concerned about you." Fire fighters sent messages of concern, encouragement and offers of help. A forklift driving woman from the brewery messaged me offering to do anything that needed done at my house then said, "This is a bit awkward, but do you need money?" I felt very treasured and supported by the people I am chaplain to, and that has continued with people still offering help, if I need it. I enjoyed the quality people I met in hospital and the ongoing support I have received. I am indeed privileged.
A nice encounter...
In the hospital there was a quietly spoken Pacific Island woman who delivered meals. I committed myself to say to everyone who served me there, a warm "thank you" for whatever they did. I applied this rule to the specialists, the nurses, through to the cleaning staff, and this lady who delivered my meals always got thanked. I noticed how long her hours were and chatted to her about that saying, "I hope they pay you well." On my final day she had asked me my preferences for meals. I told her, but by lunch time they had told me I could leave and I waited in the lounge room for my wife to pick me up. The "meal deliverer" came through delivering lunch to rooms nearby. I told her I was leaving so would not need the meals for the day, and thanked her again for looking after me during my stay. She went on her way down the corridor. After a brief time I heard her calling, "David!" and she rushed into the room with a meal, put it on the table in the middle of the room, lined up a chair and simply said, "Eat! ... before you go!" With a wave and a smile she left the room. I enjoyed the connection. .... in my experience, most people are beautiful people. I listen the other day to a You tube clip of Louis Armstrong singing, "What a beautiful world." and I said, "Amen, Lou, amen!"
