Life is good with the FLUME® catheter!

Meet Jalessa S.

I was first introduced to the FLUME catheter during a Botox session. My urologist noticed that I had a “hickey” on the inside of my bladder, where the catheter was digging into my bladder wall. He told me about the Flume catheter and said it might solve that problem. I was happy to try it.

Before a Botox session, and usually after the sessions, I would experience leaking and some other issues for a few days with my traditional Foley catheter. I’d also have pain and spasms.

During my three weeks of FLUME catheter wear, I experienced no leaking, no bloody urine, or blood clots in my urine from the catheter hitting my bladder wall. I had no pain or spasms. I also didn’t experience any type of clogging from settlement. Life was what it was supposed to be—easy!

As a paraplegic, you get accustomed to issue after issue. After experiencing the FLUME catheter and not having to worry about embarrassing leaking, daily catheter irrigation, clogged catheters or other daily issues, life was good! I look forward to continuing with the catheter.

I hope that other catheter wearers can experience what I have because I’m here to tell you that life can be much easier with the FLUME catheter!!!

“I want to maximize the time I have left vs. worry about catheter problems”

Meet Tom, a recently retired carpenter/senior superintendent, husband, father and outdoor enthusiast. Tom has Stage 4 prostate cancer, but his focus is on enjoying life to its fullest

Tom’s Story

In early 2018, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A few months later, I had major surgery, followed by two months of intensive radiation therapy. For two full years after that, I underwent an injectable hormone therapy. I was relieved and thankful when my cancer was deemed undetectable.

Then, in late 2022, my PSA score slowly started creeping back up. In spring of 2023, I also started having urinary retention issues. My bladder was damaged and shrunken from all the radiation treatment, and it just wasn’t functioning properly. I tried intermittent and urethral catheters, but neither worked well due to my anatomy. After multiple trips to the ER, I ultimately had a suprapubic indwelling urinary catheter placed. 

For the first six months or so, I was able to tolerate the suprapubic catheter. Then, as my bladder began to shrink, I started having issues with the catheter tip irritating my bladder wall. I tried bladder training, but since my bladder was so damaged, it was very difficult. I also re-routed the catheter tubing up and then down my side, and this helped for a few more months. I was beginning to give up hope that I’d ever find any relief.

Fast forward to early 2025. My cancer came back with a vengeance, and I decided to try a new radiation therapy that targets and attacks specific cancer cells. After each of my three infusions, it seemed my bladder shrunk even more. The catheter tips would really irritate me badly. Nothing seemed to relieve my pain and spasms. I began searching the internet religiously to find something better.

I experimented with many suprapubic catheters during this period. Traditional Foleys felt like they were constantly poking into my bladder. They were extremely uncomfortable and would cause bladder spasms. I constantly felt the urge to go. I would also see a lot of sediment in my urine. To avoid catheter blockage, I was irrigating my catheters—sometimes twice a day—to reduce sediment build up.

I also tried a dual-balloon catheter, but it was too bulky and felt like it was pushing against the inside of my bladder. The clinician wasn’t even able to inflate the second balloon because it was too painful for me.

When I first saw the FLUME catheter, I thought “I’ve got to try that! I can see that solving most of my issues.”

I had my first FLUME catheter placed in Aug. 2025 after a bladder Botox injection. My bladder was a bit inflamed after the Botox injection, and it was several days before it settled down. So, I waited about a week to see how the catheter felt. The FLUME catheter was a game changer! With the FLUME catheter, I no longer feel that poking sensation in my bladder. After I healed from the Botox injection, my bladder spasms have completely disappeared. In fact, I hardly notice my catheter at all.

I irrigated the FLUME catheter once just to see if there was much sediment in the urine like there had been with my previous catheters. There wasn’t, and I haven’t had to irrigate since.

I recently had my second FLUME catheter placed. With my previous catheter, I’d normally have lingering discomfort for 1-3 days after a good insertion, and longer with a not so good insertion. Wow! I was amazed at how easy insertion was with the FLUME catheter. No pain. No blood. No discomfort.

I’m eager to continue with the FLUME catheter. I want to maximize the time I have left, not spend it worrying about my catheter.

The FLUME catheter has enabled me to get back outdoors. I’m able to get back on my mower and tractor, do work around the property and take walks with my two rambunctious “Grand Puppies”. I look forward to returning to fishing, hunting and building 4x4s (wheelers) with my sons.

If I can help someone else avoid all the issues I’ve gone through—even it’s only one person—I would gladly do so. My advice to catheter wearers is to do your research, understand the different styles of catheters and realize you have options.

Finally! A Catheter Designed with Comfort in Mind!

“The Flume catheter has been a huge relief compared to other catheters I’ve used over the years. It's made managing my suprapubic catheter much more comfortable and manageable.
This design helps reduce irritation inside my bladder during the entire time it’s in place. As a high-level quadriplegic, that's incredibly important since I'm sitting for long periods in my wheelchair.
For anyone who needs a catheter that’s gentle but effective, this is definitely one I would recommend!”

Christopher P., suprapubic catheter user

"THE FLUME CATHETER GAVE ME MY LIFE BACK!"

“I felt like a shut-in with the Foley catheter. I was embarrassed to go out in public for fear of leakage, and I couldn't even walk without pain. Since I started using the FLUME catheter, I’ve had virtually no leakage. My spasms have all but disappeared. If they do occur, they are nowhere as intense. Most importantly, the FLUME catheter has allowed me to get back out, rejoin my walking club and enjoy life, again!”

William H., long-term indwelling catheter user

We are deeply grateful to Dr. Vaughan and his wife, Jackie, for sharing their experience of FLUME catheter in the first of our planned video testimonials. Each is aimed at giving voice to the experience of patients and those around them … and through this to secure the basis to make FLUME catheter more widely available as an option for patients.

Note: Available only in U.S. by prescription. Patient experience may vary. As with other indwelling urinary catheters, there are risks such as infection, blockage and leakage.