Michelle

In 1982, when Michelle was 16, she went into hospital for surgery to her jaw and woke up paralysed with a spinal cord injury (C6). She had a urethral catheter for 15 years and then decided to have a suprapubic catheter, which she finds quite easy to manage.
Michelle is a solicitor and Chair of a Social Enterprise company. She is single. Ethnic background/nationality: White British.
More about me...
Michelle came round from anaesthetic and was paralysed. Doctors didn't know what had happened. There was a lot of panic and she was catheterised the next day.
Michelle came round from anaesthetic and was paralysed. Doctors didn't know what had happened. There was a lot of panic and she was catheterised the next day.
After chatting with her consultant, Michelle decided to change to a suprapubic catheter. Losing muscle flexibility in her stomach is 'a downside'.
After chatting with her consultant, Michelle decided to change to a suprapubic catheter. Losing muscle flexibility in her stomach is 'a downside'.
But other than that, I mean I suppose from a practical point of view, there’s not much difference between having had the urethral one or having the suprapubic, just one went into my urethra and one comes out of my stomach
At first Michelle did not know where the urethral catheter was inserted or what it was for. She was shocked to learn she'd also need help with bowel care.
At first Michelle did not know where the urethral catheter was inserted or what it was for. She was shocked to learn she'd also need help with bowel care.
Michelle and her carer keep everything as clean as possible, especially around the time of her period.
Michelle and her carer keep everything as clean as possible, especially around the time of her period.
Michelle gets 2 catheters a month and drainage bags on repeat prescription from her pharmacy. Her continence pads are delivered every 10 weeks from elsewhere.
Michelle gets 2 catheters a month and drainage bags on repeat prescription from her pharmacy. Her continence pads are delivered every 10 weeks from elsewhere.
Michelle would love to be able to empty her own leg bag. She said catheters do work and 'if it's not broke, don't fix it.'
Michelle would love to be able to empty her own leg bag. She said catheters do work and 'if it's not broke, don't fix it.'
Michelle said that GPs know 'absolutely nothing' about catheters and that her GP was often glad...
Michelle said that GPs know 'absolutely nothing' about catheters and that her GP was often glad...
Michelle's carers are specially trained to work with someone with a spinal cord injury. When she has a new carer it takes a few days to explain the routine.
Michelle's carers are specially trained to work with someone with a spinal cord injury. When she has a new carer it takes a few days to explain the routine.
I suppose because I’ve lived independently with carers now for nearly 20, well just over 20 years, you do get used to it. But usually, when it’s a new carer, it can take a good four or five days, even though they’re specifically trained to work with somebody with a spinal cord injury, to get the carer into the routine that you have, because we’re all still different at the end of the day.
Michelle found that toilets for the disabled were often too small and not well designed for people with disabilities.
Michelle found that toilets for the disabled were often too small and not well designed for people with disabilities.
Michelle's disability made it more difficult for her to work than if she had been able bodied, but use of a catheter allowed her to work without disruption.
Michelle's disability made it more difficult for her to work than if she had been able bodied, but use of a catheter allowed her to work without disruption.
Michelle said her GP knew 'absolutely nothing' about catheters. She got most of her information from her hospital spinal unit or from the Spinal Injuries Association.
Michelle said her GP knew 'absolutely nothing' about catheters. She got most of her information from her hospital spinal unit or from the Spinal Injuries Association.
But also yes, the website is really good for information as well and there’s a telephone advice line that you can phone up as well. So I mean if I’m honest, it would either be my spinal unit or it would be back to the charity if I needed information on catheters or catheter care. I wouldn’t ask locally.
Having to live with an indwelling catheter is nothing to be afraid of and can be liberating. But you and your carer need to look after it properly.
Having to live with an indwelling catheter is nothing to be afraid of and can be liberating. But you and your carer need to look after it properly.