I found out today that my Mom (88 and ambulatory), who is currently hospitalized, will continue to need a Foley catheter when she is discharged. I have done some some research on what is involved in this process.
I am going to the hospital tomorrow to learn this procedure. I am already sickened by the thought of it. I don't know how to handle medical equipment and I am very unsettled by the whole idea. My mother tends to smell "down there," and I'd rather do just about anything but this.
I am not a natural-born nurse. I never had children, so I haven't even changed a diaper. I am also curious as to how my Mom will respond my doing this, or how I let her and the staff know I REALLY don't think I can (or want to do this.) Just thinking about it makes me shake my head.
I have been helping Mom out with other things, but this?
You will need to be careful that the catheter doesn't become twisted and keep the catheter line patent; you will actually find it rewarding when you become comfortable.
If you find you cannot manage going forward arrange for a carer who can come in and do the necessary. I have sympathy with your position as I refused to do personal care for my elderly mother it just turned my stomach - but we found a carer who came in just for an hour for the purpose when necessary. You'll find a way to deal with it.
The bit you're likely to be handling (and this is assuming that your mother can't manage it herself, and most people can) is not - how can I put it - at the business end. All you'll be learning is how to turn the tap on and off. Surely to goodness you're not so squeamish you can't empty a bag of urine down the lavatory? You're allowed to wear gloves. Nothing terrible will happen. You won't even have to look "down there" (or, rather, "up there" because you'll be concentrating on the leg end of things).
But it would be sensible and useful for you to learn as well what problems to look out for and what to do if they happen - discomfort, pain, spasms (rare), blood or cloudiness in the urine, etc.
Just be glad it's not your Dad and it's not a Conveen. That's all I can say.
My Mom broke her shoulder and we took her to the ER. When put in a cubicle the RN thru a gown at me and said "dress her". I told her I was not comfortable doing that because Mom had a broken arm and "she" was the nurse. She said "yes, I am the nurse" and did it. Another time a dr wanted urine sample from Mom but expected me to do it. I said no that I was not getting down on my knees in his tiny little bathroom to try and get my Mom to go in a little cup. I have a hard time doing it for myself. Told him to give me the stuff and my RN daughter would do it at home. He agreed and she did, grudgingly. When Mom was in the AL, if she had an accident, I called the aide. Paying big bucks to live there, they can do the dirty work.
So if this is more than emptying the bag and ur uncomfortable doing it, speak up. They can order "in home" care.
But for relatives? I have already had to say NO to this loud & clear too. I suggested the 'witch hat' & may have considered helping with this (just pour into bottle after, no catching required) but as the patient took zero responsibility to try to suggest this/arrange this/do anything for their own problem, I declined fully. I believe a home health nurse had to attend instead.
In/out catheter gets an instant NO from me too. I'd do myself, but not my relatives.
You are basically going to empty it about three times a day as needed; not hard at all.
NOW, IF they are talking in and out catheterization (some men do this themselves) I would refuse to do it. It would have to be done often, is almost impossible to tell when the bladder is distended and it is needed without having access to ultrasound machine. It makes for MUCH MORE certainty of infection. Moreover, it is, to this nurse's mind, too intimate to do to one's own Mom. (I said I was and OLD nurse, but I would not want to do this on my own.
My advice to you is to go and see what this is about and if it is too much for you to tell them NO. They will say there is no other way than for you to do this. Repeat slowly as needed "N-O". And then take it from there.
You may be seeing the day coming when Mom needs more than inhome care. Why are they placing an indwelling catheter? It is rare. They often prefer incontinence because of the risk of infection.
I hope you will update us. As I said, I am an old nurse; I would NOT have wanted to do this for my Mom. It is much much more intimate than just washing her. This is legs spread. Hard to do in a low bed, a STERILE procedure in which contamination occurs if the tip of the cath hits skin or mucous membrane. Not easy and WAY intimate. Even learning to don sterile gloves is not easy. And your hands and catheter, which is long and wiggly, must stay sterile. Urethras also vary a bit, aren't always easy to identify. You will see new nurses trying to poke catheters in any number of "wrong " places. It amazes me what medicine expects us to do at home now.
I don't want to scare you. But I want you to be prepared to say "NO, I am sorry; I will NOT be doing this. What is plan B" if you need to.
I wish you the very best of luck. Let us know how this goes for you.
Or is this an 'in/out' catheter to be inserted manually each time to drain?
Or a permanent suprapubic catheter? If so, the tube comes out of the abdomin instead. Not too icky.
Go along for training if you want. Find out what's actually required.
But remember - you can say no!
Ask, if I say no, what's the plan?