Today was my urology appointment and, emotionally, it was harder than I expected.

The catheter was removed and I was asked to drink plenty of water until my bladder felt very full. The plan was simple: once I was desperate to go, I was to try and pass urine naturally and then they would scan my bladder afterwards to see how much I was retaining.

Unfortunately, despite feeling absolutely bursting to urinate, nothing happened. Nothing at all. I simply could not pass urine.

As a result, I have now been re-catheterised and am waiting for a consultant urology appointment for further assessment and diagnosis.

Jen, the nurse I saw today, was very kind and straightforward throughout everything. We discussed intermittent self-catheterisation, but both of us felt it probably was not the right option for me at present. She also said that the wait to see the consultant may hopefully not be too long.

One thing that stood out was that they specifically asked whether I was taking tamsulosin and how long I had been on it. I explained that I had been taking it for around two weeks and that it is now on repeat prescription.

At the moment, there are still more questions than answers. Today confirmed that the retention problem is real and ongoing, but not yet exactly why it is happening.

I have come away disappointed because part of me really hoped I might leave without the catheter today. At the same time, I know this process is now moving from uncertainty into proper investigation.

For now, patience seems to be the uncomfortable but necessary part of this stage.