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Highlights
Where are you in the process of recovery from AP
How to easily locate your urethral opening when
you self-catheterize
1. Question of the Season
At what stage are you in the recovery process?
What are your goals, and how are you going about achieving them?
(see my response below)
2. New "News"
(A) Please take a minute to read the following post from one of
our Forum members. She writes about a device which helps women easily
locate their urethral opening -- something I have always had trouble
doing!
The device is called The Asta-Cath (TM) Female
Catheter Guide. It's by A+ Medical Products, Inc. Non-sterile. Reusable.
Intended for single patient use only. Order Toll-Free 1-888-843-3334
Fax Toll-Free 1-888-843-4567.
"Dedicated to developing medical products that honor women
and make a difference in the quality of their lives."
She writes: “I just got that from the box it came in. What
a cool motto. It's true for me.
It's a plastic device (mine's purple :) ) and shaped like an L.
You put the small end of the L into your vagina and hold the long
part with your left hand. Then there's 3 open holes above the vagina
which you use to locate your urethra. Then you put the catheter
thru that hole and hopefully you've found your urethra. It took
me a few times, but I got it finally. I hope that describes it well
enough. It's hard to explain! The device is reusable. By the way,
no lubrication or sterilization needed.
(B) Sylvia reports that she is close to finishing her book on AP,
representing a collection of 14 stories written by some of us who
suffer from paruresis. They give tremendous insight into the enigma
of AP. Sylvia writes: "we're brave people, paving the road
to recovery - not just for ourselves, but for others around the
world. Here we are at the threshold of a new awareness of AP in
our society and societies throughout the world. Not just because
of this book of stories, but because of the existence of the IPA,
the few other books that have been written on the subject, and the
communication between those of us who have AP, and also those who
do not have it, but are becoming aware and understanding of those
who do. Getting the word out that AP exists in probably larger numbers
than many people realize is a monumental endeavor, and we are a
part of facilitating that effort."
Sylvia plans on publishing the book in the near future. Way to
go, Sylvia!!! (editor’s note: The book, “Secret Phobia”,
is for sale on the IPA’s website)
My response to: At what stage are you in the recovery process?
What are your goals, and how are you going about achieving them?
Though I hesitate to proclaim "I'm cured", I am in the
advanced recovery stage. And it only took 42 years :) !!! My immediate
goals in the next year are to attempt to pee on a train, a bus,
and out in the woods. I will have an opportunity to practice in
late February when I travel to South America (Machu Picchu in Peru
and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador). I still keep a catheter kit
with me, however, at all times -- just for emergency purposes.
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