This afternoon I went to Dr. Fraizer's office to have him check on whether a stricture was reforming at the bottom of my neobladder. It certainly feels like it, because it's becoming much more difficult to void. Instead of the uninterrupted flow that I was getting a couple of weeks ago, I'm back to the slower, multiple attempts. Last night, for example, I went to be with the feeling that I could not empty by neobladder. I woke up several times to try to empty it after feeling some squirts into my Depends. Unfortunately, Dr. Fraizer was in surgery, but his nurse advise me to try to self-catheterize before I go to bed. I can hardly wait.
Speaking of hardly waiting, while at Dr. Fraizer's office, I met with a representative of a company that sells penile vacuum devices. (There's a job I bet he didn't foresee while in high school.) I got quite the education about how those things work (thankfully, he did not give me a demonstration). There's so many jokes and puns I could make, but I'll just play it straight for this blog and leave the yucks to the commentators.
The rep explained that it's important to ensure that the blood vessels are fully engorged with blood, or else they and the surrounding tissue will atrophy. The pump should be used for three weeks before attempting to resume sexual activity. "Use" means using the vacuum to draw blood into the penis until erect, then releasing the vacuum, waiting a minute or so, and repeating two more times. You do that three times in the morning and three times in the evening. After three weeks, regular sexual activity can resume, aided by the pump as needed. There also is an option to use penile rings around the base to prolong erections, but a ring should never be worn for more than 30 minutes. The rep also explained that I should not solely rely on drugs such as Viagra or Cialis, because while they assist in engorging the member with blood, they do not help in reversing tissue atrophy.
It was an interesting eduction. I didn't get the device since it needs to be cleared by the insurance company and delivered through a pharmacy. Sounds like the perfect 50th birthday gift. Or not.
That really sucks, on all levels.
ReplyDeleteThat really sucks, in every way...
ReplyDeleteO.k. I'll rise to the challenge.
ReplyDeleteTwo points.
1. Selling penile vacuum pumps could be Karma if the guy was a jerk off in high school.
2. "The ring should never be worn for more than 30 minutes." If a 30 minute limit is going to be a problem for you, you're bragging. I must say, though, I get a chuckle at the thought of you perusing the merchandise in the kind of shop that sells those things.
...I would think this post was really awkward if I weren't laughing so hard. I am glad you have such a sense of humor through all this Dad, I know it has helped me keep a good perspective on things and I think it has had a similar effect on all of us observers.
ReplyDelete