Posted by Andrew on 10/4/2008, 9:40 pm, in reply to "Re: given myself a deadline..."

HI Loz Well done for trying out the train toilets; you did not mention how many times you did that: I hope it was several times. "It was OK"; well it was always going to be stressful, otherwise you would not have a problem with them. Try a train again, and this time it will be a bit less stressful. As for the locks: the fact that you have to press a button to lock it - i.e. it is in your control - puts you in charge. No-one can interrupt you; if they are in a hurry, they will just walk along to the next one. As for the urologist: it is a good idea in life to expect the worst and to hope for the best: that way you cannot be taken by surprise. In your case the worst is if the urologist will not show you how to catheterise; in which case you go bakc to the GP to get referred to a different urologist; we have to remember they are there for our benefit, not the other way around! Tho it does not always feel like it. Emphasise that you get urinary retention which, on a flight, is dangerous; emphasise that experience shows you that peeing does not happen when you get full, instead you get great pain. The standard assertive technique it to not be distracted, but to repeat word for word your original request or statement. good luck Andrew

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