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Ken, Auckland
I was diagnosed with aggresive prostate cancer in 2014 and had a prostatectomy (removal of my prostate) very soon after. When the cancer returned about 15 months later was given 6 weeks daily radiation treatment to my prostate bed. Both those treatments caused significant urinary incontinence which has worsened and been extremely bothersome over the years since. Recently I was fitted with an artificial urinary sphincter (AUS) by surgery to control my incontinence. There is no outward sign that I have an AUS. Major damage can be caused to my urethra and to the AUS if it is not deactivated before bladder catherisation should it be required. My Medic Alert bracelet will alert medical staff to the existence of my AUS should I ever be admitted to hospital in an unconscious condition as a result of a medical event or accident. As most doctors are unfamiliar with artificial urinary sphincters the wording on my Medic Alert bracelet asks that a urologist be consulted before urethra catheterisation.
Peace of mind for those with medical conditions to ensure medical staff are aware of those conditions and do not cause unnecessary harm or delays in treatment of unconscious patients.
Fri 21 Oct 2022