Most of us are familiar with ‘The Phantom of the Opera’; a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Image1 Provided by: CMUSE
I bet you are not familiar with ‘The Phantom of the Pee’; not a musical with no music.
Merriam-Webster has the following definition for ‘phantom’ –
1
a : something apparent to sense but with no substantial existence : apparition
b : something elusive or visionary
c : an object of continual dread or abhorrence the phantom of disease and want
2
: something existing in appearance only
3
: a representation of something abstract, ideal, or incorporeal
she was a phantom of delight — William Wordsworth
Google ‘Phantom’ and first on the list of results is ‘DJI Phantom Drone’, with the following descriptions –
The Phantom is a series of unmanned aerial vehicles developed by Chinese technology company DJI. It is widely regarded as the company’s flagship UAV line, as it is the most widely used and known product DJI has released currently.
Google ‘Phantom Pain’ and first on the list or results is the following –
Phantom pain is pain that feels like it’s coming from a body part that’s no longer there. Doctors once believed this post-amputation phenomenon was a psychological problem, but experts now recognize that these real sensations originate in the spinal cord and brain.
I current do not experience phantom pain, but I do experience phantom pee. Have you heard of phantom pee?
Phantom pee is a real thing, very strange real thing and I do experience it on a regular basis. I mentioned this to my Urologist Dr. P. and yes, this is a real thing.
As you know my surgery in January removed my bladder and prostate and other male related organs. My urine is now removed from my body via a stoma into a urostomy bag on the outside of my body. I no longer have control of my urination.
But I still have the feeling of needing to pee, but I can’t.
Anyway, very strange feeling when you have ‘that urge’ and you no longer can ‘relieve’ yourself.
So, although ‘The Phantom of the Pee’ is not a musical with no music, it is a real occurrence.
yeah, i understand, something like being touch without being touch physically…
Imaginary touch!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes it is. Thanks for stopping by today to read and comment, I appreciate it Chris. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dropping by maybe, commenting i don’t know?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on crjen1958.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Chris for the reblog. Hope you are having a great day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Interesting as per say!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, that has to be so weird!! What an odd side effect of your situation. Did your urologist say it’s common?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sarah, it is common – since I still have a urethra, it sends signals to my brain even though I no longer have a bladder. I am use to it now, but it was a strange feeling at first. Hope you are having a great day. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds very uncomfortable and irritating, but in a way, it also makes sense. The need to pee is such a major thing, in German we have a saying: “A kingdom for a loo/toilet”! When you need to and there´s nothing suitable where you can relieve yourself (of course, this affects women more than men, who are always happy to water the next tree 😉 ). I hope it will lessen with time as your body gets used to the new situation!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have become use to it, but it was very strange at first. It is a normal feeling to have with my type of surgery. Thanks Sarah, I always appreciate your comments and hope all is well with you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I can imagine! Love the title of your post btw 😉 Very imaginative 🙂 Have a lovely and happy day, Terry! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What an odd sensation that must be! Is there anything you can do about it or will it just lessen with time?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was odd at first, but I am use to it now – so it does not bother me as it did in the beginning. Thanks for stopping by today! 🙂
LikeLike
It really does make sense to me, Terry, the power of the brain !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the brain has everything to do with it! Thanks Van! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sure would feel weird!! You are amazing
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was very weird at first Lynn, but I am now use to it and it no longer bothers me. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
That is soooo not cool …like a silent phantom of the opera playing within your body and there is NOTHING you can do about it. Frustrating Frustrating Frustrating !!!
I have said before you are dealing with all of this like a champ. You are one in a million. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good way to look at it Lynne and it was frustrating at first and bothersome. I am use to it now. Thanks for always stopping by to read and comment. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
OY! What an uncomfortable feeling I bet. I can only chuckle imagining you doing the “pee dance” that little kids do when they have to go pee and no bathroom is around. 😀 I hope that phantom goes away for you soon. xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL, no pee dance here Kathryn. It is when I have the feeling of needing to go, there is nothing I can do about it. I don’t really think about it anymore, I just let it do its thing and move on. Happy Wednesday! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh…that sounds a bit weird and stressful as the urge you feel can’t be ‘relieved’. What does the doctor say? Is it a common phenomenon?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maniparna, this is common for my type of surgery. It has lesson some and I am getting use to it as well. Thanks for stopping by, hope you are doing well. 🙂
LikeLike
Oh dear, that must be very frustrating or even annoying. I hope it lessens over time like phantom pain does. The unpleasant things that they perhaps forget to mention ahead of time eh? Amanda
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amanda, it has already lesson some and I have grown accustom to it. Thanks for stopping by today to read and comment. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to knkow you have become used to it, but must have been quite weird along the way.
LikeLiked by 1 person
At first it was very strange and I wanted to ‘respond’ to it, but could not. Now, just use to it and it really no longer bothers me as much. Thanks Peggy. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
That would be an odd sensation. 😐
LikeLiked by 1 person
It certain is Jodi, but I have adjusted to it. Hope your day was wonderful! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Phantom pee is a pain. I think you are expert at getting used to such things
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Derrick, I have gotten use to it. Have a great day my friend. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh, this made my eye twitch imagining the discomfort. I’m glad to hear that you’ve moved past this particular phase in your recovery. The brain is so amazing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Steph, it was very strange at first, because there is nothing I can do in response to it. The more it occurred, the more I just become use to it and so it does not really bother me. The brain is doing its job! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I share this weird phenomenon with my urinary/hoo-ha problems and it is so annoying.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I understand Kerry, I have gotten use to it. But then again, there is nothing I can do in a response to it. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have worked with many amputees and have scratched many a leg that wasn’t there….just the action of rubbing or scratching seemed to help sooth there need….I have had phantom tooth aches where no teeth are….crazy ass feeling….a couple of Tylenol for me and the pain mentally goes away….glad your able to live and cope with the feeling…I had never heard of that but it only makes sense…..xxkat great song!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I still have my urethra that sends signals to my brain to release and let go. But there is no bladder to release and let go. No longer bothers me, I just give it no thought. Thanks kat for stopping by today – I appreciate you. 🙂
LikeLike
Glad its no bother….as that could be a pain in the “you know what” !!! LOL hope your enjoying the day and your first round of chemo wasn’t to bad on you…xxxxxxxxxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Today is fine, I just got up from a very long nap, still tired, but all else is good. Thanks dear.
LikeLike