Piss Bags

 

I haven’t quite mastered the techniques of leg bag placement yet
It’s quite a skill and I’m learning. 
I’m finding mid thigh placement the best position after a near disasterous twanging of elasticated ties in Sainsbury’s car park yesterday had me scrambling down my tracki bottoms behind a collection of supermarket trolleys.
I cancelled this week’s counselling clients ( thankfully only two) not wanting a malfunction in the therapy room as I’ve already knocked open the bag’s tap by mistake and partially flooded the kitchen vinyl ( through which Roger Gayly walked)

All this is a big learning curve and I’m yet to build up sufficient confidence with each bit of equipment, even though I’ve been working with them neigh on thirty years.
The nhs system for replacement bags and other such doobies is efficient and impressive. My supplies will be delivered today and after I write this I will empty my leg bag again and take Roger out for a walk

My mind has floated back to the summer of 1992 when a selection of motley nurses and physios would regulary take a group of young men and women out from their rehab Spinal Wards to The Ledmill Nightclub.
Here we would get drunk as lords, and where the patients learned to dance in their wheelchairs as ABBA played and suddenly everyone felt young and free again after their traumas of injury.

Most of the patients would have catheter leg bags and part of rehab would be the secret emptying of said leg bags into empty beer pint glasses, in a dark corner. Many a Thursday night whole lines of warm lager  coloured drinks would magically appear at the latter parts of the evening.
Of course nurses adored the irony of skint students grabbing one of the pints “ by accident” 

Happy days




39 comments:

  1. You've conjured up some yucky images there, John. Being on the receiving end of medical stuff is a completely different thing to dishing it out, but I'm glad you've maintained your sense of humour, although I expect there's been a few choice swear words over the past few days! A good idea to cancel your counselling clients until you feel confident. You wouldn't be able to give them your full attention if you were anticipating a catheter malfunction! xx

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    1. A colleague at the hospice texted me with some rude comments, that bucked me up no end

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  2. Impossible to fully appreciate the miracle of human plumbing until it has been disrupted. This is indeed a major life change. I am still confused- is a surgery or some other treatment a possibility? Of course it's none of my business but you know how this goes- we all feel as if in some way we are family.

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    1. I have an urethral stricture which has fibrosed. It’s unlikely that I will be problem free even after a small surgical intervention . But I’ve met the consultant now ( who looked at my willy and not my face until I waved at him) and he looks professional enough

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  3. So those skint students weren't lying when they said the lager tasted like warm piss!

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    1. lol……the bouncers used to piss themselves when they watched the practice going on

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  4. As happy hooker says, it's another thing to be on the receiving end of medical procedures. As empathic as most nurses are, I've always maintained that we should be subjected to colonoscopies, intubation, enemas, etc. It could up our game.

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  5. With all of your practical experience, I am sure you will work it out but it sure sounds like a complicated bother and a worry for you. Sorry you have to go through this, John.
    I watched the movie Remarkably Bright Creatures that you recommended and it was very sweet. I liked that octopus!

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    1. I’ve been quite systematic today , anchoring my bag and taking Roger for a brisk walk as well as another visit to Sainsbury’s …I’m getting there

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  6. Anonymous2:12 pm

    Have you tried the net catheter bag holder . Like a tubi grip that holds your bag no straps needed annd less twang !! and more comfy . You can get them on Amazon x Bernie

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    1. Thanks Bernie , not known to me , but I’ll give them a go…..I’m such a catheter virgin

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  7. Too funny. I had a dementia patient who was peeing in his water carafe, unknown to me. I gave him a drink of water to take his pills with and he complained that the water tasted funny. Poor man.
    I'm sure you'll get figure it out, but it's got to be a worry. Your young patients were lucky to have you and the other nurses caring for them. You reminded them that they are still people and still alive.
    "Remarkably Bright Creatures" is one of my favorite books. I love Marcellus, a wise character.

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    1. The book has just arrived, I love Amazon

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  8. Barbara Anne3:29 pm

    Oh, John, you always make me laugh even when it's in dismay at what you're dealing with, critter antics or this annoying piss bag. Love Bernie's suggestion that there is an alternative to those horrid straps and applaud your wisdom in cancelling the therapy appointments for today.
    Wishing you WELL and shed of the catheter et al.

    Big hugs!

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    1. What else can you do? Cry all the time? Laughing does help , it really does

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  9. Those pints are an image I could have lived without! I’ve heard many a person say, “This beer tastes like warm piss!” There was a reason!

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    1. It’s a funny story to lighten the mood x

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    2. And you need some mood lightening!

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    3. A martini with you and your hubby would be lovely

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    4. That would, wouldn’t it? If only you and I were allowed to drink!

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    5. I wish. But I might be able to cheat with you soon.

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  10. I can ask our friend who rides his bike with a permanent bag if you like?

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  11. i.e. how he manages it, placement etc

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  12. Hmm, maybe part of the training for nurses and docs on catheters, should be to wear one for a couple of days. You will master this, you are strong and inventive. And hopefully soon, this will pass.

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    1. Typically I know the theory but failed the practical

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  13. Being on the receiving end of a catheter bag is proving challenging. As a nurse you likely know all there is to know about these things. Hopefully in time everything will be easier.
    Can you consider taking a paid medical leave of absence?
    The R&R would likely be beneficial.

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    1. I aim to have two weeks off , I need to have another urological procedure at some stage so am keeping absences to a minimum .

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  14. Nelliegrace6:16 pm

    Laughing and crying. I hope the pain is easing.

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    1. Remembering those old days has helped me cope.if those young lads with hardly any experience of disability let alone catheters coped and generally coped well, so can i

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  15. Anonymous7:21 pm

    I’m glad I only drink dirty martinis 🍸

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    1. Bet that was Lee lol

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    2. Anonymous8:22 pm

      It fucking was hic 🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸🍸👀

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I love all comments Except abusive ones from arseholes