Camille,
I am so sorry to hear of your fistula problem and I do completely understand what you are going through.
I have vaginal cancer in the cuff of the vagina...actually right at the area where the bladder fistula is located. The cancer has decreased about 75% since I started chemo, so that's the good thing. Since the shrinkage, the cancer has been "stabilized" since January, 2016, so I feel very fortunate. I am now only on one chemo drug, Avastin. A fistula is one of the side effecs of Avastin, along with high blood pressure (which I am also trying to stabilize), but apparently it is considered almost a miracle drug and is used a lot in maintenance. So, I am now using it through IV every three weeks for at least three more treatments. Then we will consider taking a 6 week break and see how that works. Since there is no cure for vaginal cancer, it appear that unless God decides to cure me, I am stuck with this routine.
I have been told here is no way to repair the fistula because of the location of the cancer, that it just won't hold. So, I am stuck with the Depends and pads 24/7 also. I have gotten a system worked out using Depends/Overnight Poise/and another Poise that works for at least two hours, so I can work my schedule around that. It's not pleasant, but I am alive and able to enjoy life. I have resigned myself to this situaton, so until I am miraculously cured, it is the life I have. I am still praying for he miracle and believe that it can happen.
I have not tried any catheters because the oncologist doesn't think they will work because of the location of my fistua.
I am located in Granbury Texas. My main oncologist is at M.D.Anderson in Houston. I have another oncologist at Texas Oncology in Ft. Worth where I have my chemo treatments. I feel I have great doctors, so I will continue to listen to them.
Stay in tough. At least we can commiserate together. This is not something that you can talk to people about. I am totally embarrassed having to buy supplies. <smile>
I hope you do find a solution and will be interesting in hearing about it.
Henri(etta) Russell