This year started off terribly with Ryan being hospitalized in the ICU with a life-threatening infection (in both kidneys). Within a few weeks, he developed another urinary tract infection that was unrelated to the earlier (thank goodness). He kicked that infection easily, but the antibiotics wreaked havoc on his stomach and bowels. For ten days it was messy.
I was showering or hand-washing him half a dozen times daily.
The washing machine simply could not keep up with the soiled laundry.
The combination of an antibiotic-induced rash and constant cleaning made his groin and bottom raw and bloody.
As for the month of March so far, Ryan is physically healthy. The rash is (mostly) gone and likely would have been by now but, for some reason(s), the urinary external/condom catheter simply won’t stay in place for longer than several hours. I’m diligent about checking it (every 30 minutes) and applying a new one as necessary, but it’s just impossible to know when he might urinate… and it only takes once to saturate his clothing, sling, and wheelchair.
Sure, I’ll get to the bottom of why this is happening, but it’s a process of elimination involving multiple variables because something as simple as peeing involves a system for him. I’ve already eliminated most: the soap we use to clean him, the spray to protect his skin, the size/shape/elasticity of the external catheter, the urinary bag, the pH of his urine (breaking down the catheter’s adhesion), and many other flippin’ things that might cause failure.
After all that, I do have a theory that just occurred to me this morning.
Ryan’s core body temperature is anything but “normal”. Just one more thing that brain injury impacts. For him, having a 98.6 degree (Fahrenheit) is high. His baseline is range is 96.1 to 97.1 degrees… and it is common for him to drop as low as 95.0 or go as high as 97.5. Truth is, we must constantly regulate his external environment with heating lamps, warmed blankets, fans, and whole-house temperature so that he doesn’t become hypo- or hyperthermic.
Anyhow, ever since his hospitalized infection, he is almost always colder than was the case before. Now, I know that many believe that a man’s penis has a mind of its own, but when it comes to temperature it adjusts relatively. The colder it is, the more it (and the scrotum) tightens up to the body and decreases surface area. Some might remember the sitcom Seinfeld did an entire episode on this… appropriately called “Shrinkage”.
I’ll be picking up a hot water bottle (and protective sleeve) tonight to use on Ryan.
I’m sure you can guess what it’ll be sitting on.
I was a freshman at WVU when that horrible incident happened to Ryan. I did not know him personally but his story touches me. I have since graduated and now work as an RN. My mother passed away from brain cancer and needed constant care before her passing. I know all that it takes to care for someone and how hard it can be. Thank you for all that you do for him! I am sure he appreciates it very much. Thinking of you and your family!
So glad to hear that Ryan is better and home. For some reason I haven’t been getting updates, but Ryan and family are ALWAYS in my thoughts and prayers. I’ll be looking into why I haven’t been getting updates. Lots and lots of love and hugs to you all.
Beth Broder
P,S. As someone whose had a brain infection and wasn’t expected to ever recover, I want to say THANK YOU for never giving up. I KNOW from both sides it’s not an easy position for ANYONE, especially physically on the caregivers, but I’m sure Ryan appreciates it so Mich more than you know. Thank you again and huge hugs.
Glad Ryan is doing better except for that one thing. Hope heating bag etc works for you and Ryan. Prayers and love to Ryan and you all
Your friend. Gail
thanks for the update
Oh Ken, you and Ryan are both amazing in each of your own unique ways. Bless you both.
Not for nothing but you would save yourself and Ryan a lot of headaches if he had a suprapubic catheter proceedure done which then he could have a catheter inserted and changed once a month by you and this would not involve a catheter having to be placed through penis into bladder. I took care of a quadriplegic guy and he had one of these and it was easier to care for than the traditional catheter. Ask his Doctor.
And yes ” shrinkage ” would cause a condom catheter to fall off.
Greatest news, Ryan has recovered. I was scared when there were no posts during this past month, but understand you were quite busy taking care of him. Thank you for posting! Prayers and love, Annie xo
Lol, when we lived in Leesbrg there was a blizzard that dropped 2 feet of snow. My hubby went out to shovel and when he came in he was covered in sweat but frozen as well. Helping him undress for a bath there was almost Nothing There. I laughed and said ” so shrinkage is real”
I started reading this and my very first thought was shrinkage. I was going to tell you to warm it up.