The worst is I have to go in and do it and I am missing stuff…The best is it stops me from leaking…It’s not really a big deal. I was scared the first time but then I realized it wasn’t really that bad.
Eric, age 8
I don’t really know which one is better
My incontinence is better, and I am happy that I am not leaking and wetting the bed and any of that anymore, but I sort of in a way would rather do that then have to cath and get infections. I don’t really know which one is better.
Jenna, age 16
Definitely a manageable thing
I didn’t cath when I was in school and I’m glad I didn’t have to because I can see how there would be other issues. But I do think as an adult it’s definitely a manageable thing…I don’t know if I would say dealing with health problems is rewarding, but I think it’s probably made me more mature. I think that’s been noticed in my job and how I did in school and that kind of thing.
Johanna, age 22
Advice for kids – you may miss some stuff, but think about it: would you rather get wet or miss something? I don’t miss that much right now. If I’m doing something, I’m like, “Zoom, get this done! I feel like doing something!”
Meghan, age 8
My bladder’s back to normal
Advantages were I got my body, my bladder, back to the way it was, which is good. So I don’t feel like I have more in my bladder than needs to be, and my bladder’s back to normal. Disadvantages were probably like – there weren’t really any bad things to it! It’s just the have-to-do-it-everyday, like the constant have-to-do-it: it’s kind of like a chore.
Alexa, age 16
Do what you have to do
I would recommend cathing. I would do it regardless of how long it takes you because now I’m going on my own. I’m not having as many issues as I used to before. It may be embarrassing but if it’s what you have to do, then you have to do it.
Val, age 19
Used to it
I’m just so used to it, it’s not such a big deal like it used to be.
Ellie, age 8
It wasn’t helping in my situation
Using catheters is not my favorite thing. My least favorite part is that it takes up my free time, at school and home. I think my favorite part was that it didn’t hurt at all. I don’t think it’s worth it because it wasn’t helping in my situation.
Ethan, age 13
Kayla, age 14
Just the inconvenience
The worst part is just the inconvenience, really. Now that I have this stoma, it’s not uncomfortable or anything, so it’s not like it hurts or anything like that. It’s not like it’s that much of a big deal, it just gets in the way of things sometimes. I just kind of suck it up, I guess…It helps me not have bad kidneys. That’s probably the best part.
Dylan, age 16
Probably the biggest advantage
I’ll start with the disadvantages. Urinary tract infections. It taking longer than most people. You have to unwrap a catheter – if it’s in a plastic bag, there’s noise. Other disadvantages – I would maybe say discomfort at first, but I think that subsides. Bladder stones, because it is a common thing, I suppose.
Advantages: you’re kind of special. How many people are doing it? And it just becomes part of you. I guess that’s not an advantage – maybe an advantage is being closer to normal. In order to have the need to catheterize, there was a bad problem before. That problem is fixed now – that’s a huge advantage. That’s probably the biggest advantage. If you have some serious problems going like I did, and like everyone probably who has this, it changes your life. Dealing with the spasms and the stones and stuff, yeah, that’s kind of a pain, but over the long haul I’m healthier, which is great.
Sam, age 32
It’s part of me now
Someone goes to the bathroom their way, I go to the bathroom my way. It’s part of me now.
Sam, age 32