I talked to my Dad today. He has prostate cancer that's enlarged his prostate gland (his last PSA test came back a "9" - anything over a "4" is considered cancerous). Anyhoo, this caused his bladder to seal shut. He suffered for weeks with this - not being able to urinate more than a trickle. His ankles swelled up and finally he went to his regular doctor and they ran some scans and did some blood work. The blood work indicated his kidneys weren't working (when in fact, he just could get the urine out). His bladder at that time was 3 X it's normal size and paper thin. So, he had to wear a catheder for 2-3 weeks. Because his bladder was "sealed shut" they had to force it in. Therefore, he passed nothing but blood and bits of tissue for the first 2 days or so (which makes me wince and want to clutch my "netherlands" and whimper...). Now that catheder is out, but in order to urinate, he has to put a cathedear in HIMSELF. He has to do it regularly or it will seal shut on him again. 
ouchie
SO - here's to being able to pee without assistance! WOOHOO!
ouchieSO - here's to being able to pee without assistance! WOOHOO!
