Working on the road with many client meetings may seem like the most challenging job when you have bladder issues. But, Thomas has found his way.
Today Thomas did something he never dared before; he catheterised at a client’s bathroom. 'Luckily it was very clean', says Thomas.
We interviewed Thomas in a café in central Copenhagen. After our chat, 3 and a half hours behind the wheel awaits him, taking him back to his wife and children on the other side of Denmark.
Thomas works as a recruitment and leadership consultant. It's a long day for him, especially as he uses both intermittent catheters and anal plugs for his bladder and bowel issues. These have been a part of his daily routine since an accident in 2001, where he fell on a metal staircase and landed on his back.
"I try to avoid public toilets because I don't know how clean they will be and I get urinary tract infections easily - although I have seen my share of petrol station toilets!
Yesterday I took a long ride on my racing bike, so I drank more water than usual".
Normally Thomas would limit his fluid intake before taking a trip to the other end of the country. He always catheterises at home in the morning and considers how much and when he drinks during the day. In this way he’s able to control when he needs to catheterise.
His bowel issue is another story: Thomas needs 4 fixed 15 minutes breaks during the day, to manage it.
Despite his condition, Thomas can still be on the road.
'I avoid leaks and infections because I know my body very well, and I know what works for me and what doesn’t. And with good products, professional help and planning, you can achieve more than you think.'
