On July 2 at 11am, I had hip replacement surgery. Surgery went extremely well. I passed the physical therapy test – walking, climbing stairs, within 2 hours of waking up. However, I became dizzy and they put me right back into bed. Then began my 4 day stay in the hospital due to POUR, post operative urinary retention. This was due to a spinal, epidural, along with general anesthesia. I was told that there were 5 other patients like me on my hospital floor. I did some research on my phone, and an epidural can cause this condition in men. On the afternoon of the 4th day I was released to go home with a foley catheter in place, being told I need to see a urologist as the hospital, well known for orthopedic surgery, did not have one on staff.
Slowly over the weekend I could feel my body gradually returning to some normalcy. I still needed a doctor to remove my catheter. Thanks to the efforts and research of my wife, a urologist was found. I saw him this past Monday, but I needed to return for the removal of the foley, and an all day stay to make sure I could urinate on my own.
I returned yesterday, Wednesday. My catheter was finally removed (relief!) and after 20 minutes or so, I went on my own. I was not out of the woods yet. I was able to go many times during the day in the office, but my bladder never quite fully emptied. I was told I was ok to go home, but I’ll be in the urologist’s office once again this morning. Things could right themselves on their own, getting better, but I most likely will have to return for tests in a couple of weeks to see if there is an obstruction.
Eventually, slowly, and in good health I will return.