Yay for showers!

[SweetyPie]

So after this recent hospitalization one of the nurses told me when patients want to take showers they would give them this plastic type wrap called aqua guard. Last year when I got my cvc line they told me I couldnt take showers. So for the whole year I would sit in a tub and fill another smaller tub of water and wash use like a big cup to wash myself up. Then my mom would wash my hair. Although i was sitting it was very tiring. So i tried the aqua guard and i finally got an offical official shower! Letting the water run down my back feels wonderful. Makes you cherish simple things. Its alot easier because i dont have to move my arms all around. So, of any of you have cvc lines just type up aqua guard waterproof shower in the browser and youll find it!! 

[GA_DAWG]

The firt shower after having the catheter removed was sooooo good. I had been able to use a hand shower from the waist down, but to be able to stand and have it run over my head and down my back was heaven.

[SweetyPie]

That was my fav part!! The warm water down my back oooooh.

[Simon Dog]

www.korshield.com

[Michael Murphy]

18 months ago a cardiac problem put me in the hospital for better part of two weeks.  The 3 hospitals I was in all refused to allow patients to shower cause of the slip and fall liability.  I will say that after 2 weeks that first shower was heavenly.

[lulu836]

I shower 3 times a week even with a catheter.  No problem.  Other days I use No Rinse Body Wash or The Shower Shirt or both.

[SweetyPie]

Doesnt ur catheter get wet??

[kristina]

... I was told by medics that showering with whatever "safe" method to cover the chest-cath is not safe enough, because water can "trickle" anywhere unobserved and unnoticed and I was also told that a resulting infection could be deadly ... so, no thanks, I shall continue to shower up to my waist and I shall continue to clean everywhere else very carefully with a damp flannel...
Reading about a full shower here made me wonder, but on the other hand, these medics would never have warned me to stay away from all these "safe methods" of showering, if they would not have had their experiences with people who paid the ultimate price for it  ...

[GA_DAWG]

That was always my choice too kristina. Better safe than a statistic.

[lulu836]

I know.......righteous indignation that I have pushed the envelope for 3 years.  My clinic uses 4x4 tagederm on all catheters.  They are absolutely waterproof.  Additionally I use a shower shirt that has a covered waterproof heavy duty zipper.  The neckline has a Velcro closure that additionally keeps drips etc., away.  I am not pushing the product...just stating what works for me.  I normally turn my back to the showerhead when washing my hair.  I towel dry my hair and upper body then remove the shirt and continue cleaning what was covered by the shirt.  The shirt material is thin but efficient and allows me the luxury of feeling the shower fully. All medical personnel are aware and supportive of my methods.