I think I can handle ED, but the Incontinence is what i fear

 Hi was diagnosed with PCA in October, am scheduled for Da vinci in March. 59 years old, Gleason 6, ( 3+3) 1Tc one sample 20% out of 13 samples, 24cc Prostae size, oh PSA 4.8. Nothing found DRE. Its the incontinence that really scares me, my job involves working on Office Equiptment, carrying a 25 lb Tool Kit. So you can see how the incontinence is a major factor for me. Do Kegelscan stop and start at will, can hold it forever. My wonderful wife will work with me on the ED, but the otherscares the crap out of me.  Thanks for listening.

Our numbers and age are real close and like Biker I had good fortune in the continence area right off the bat. Like you I was more scared of this than anything else. some take longer, but they seem to deal with it quite well. Your tool bag might be a bit heavy for awhile.

Randy

  Thanks and yes I'm overwieght,lost 60 lbs so far, walk 2 to 4 miles between work and walking after work.  Again thanks   

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HI Fatcat,

My husband and I are both overweight too! We are on a health kick ourselves now, so I am able to post this with a little more confidence than I would normally have !

Prior to surgery however, my husband was significantly overweight, and in US terms I think he lost about a stone and a half. Any weight loss is beneficial if you can do it. He did put it back on after the surgery, but that was really just unfortunate. We are dropping it off again now for overall health reasons once again. The pre-op walking and weight loss that he was able to achieve really helped us, so good luck with whatever you can manage.

Hubby also does manual labour and I had to be very bossy post op. I would not let him lift anything for 3 months, but we are lucky in that he is currently not working in paid employment like you. Can you possibly get a trolly? My husband, when he insisted, negotiated with me using a trolly for backyward work, and this worked for us. Even a small load lifted from the ground is a pressure on the very spot you need to avoid stressing in any way. If you could negotiate a trolly for 3 months I reckon that may work? Would your workplace accomodate this if you could organise it?

We believe it is important not to overdo it, for your regaining of continence, and health. The surgery is all too delicate whichever way it is done, and the nerves and tissues and bladder sphincter need time to heal. Our overall details are below for your info.

We would recommend, take it easy on the lifting and do your kegals before surgery. I am not sure of how much 25lb is. Others will probably advise further I guess. The amount/weight of lifting in the weeks after after surgery should be determined by the doctor and treatment, and tends to differ (see all the threads on this), as does the amount of post-op kegals recommended. We asked the doctor specifically, and then I added another 2 weeks to be on the safe side, which is how I came up with the 12 weeks/3 months ban!!

Read as much as you can therefore. We were prepared for the incontinence after waiting 4 months for surgery, and had all the pads, but threw them ALL out at 8 weeks. My husband, like Biker90. used only one pad, and this was dry. Like the few guys who gain early control over ED, there are others like my husband and Biker, that regain immediate control of urine. We are rare, but it is possible.

We found it took many more months for the worry and anxiety to ease overall, but it is all good now. It is perfectly normal to be frightened witless by this disease. We certainly were. However using the pre-op time to research all recovery strategies was well spent. There is lots of info here. Our best wishes to your wonderful "other half".

Good luck and all the best. Lana (posting for my husband CJ).

 

Chas036, thanks for the heads up, but my gosh, 3 months, my Bike won't even know who I am. Nice ride the old scrambler. The vintage race team I belong to has one of those for vintage dirt and 2 CB 350's for vintage Road events. even 8 weeks will be difficult, here in Florida that's our best riding time. Oh well, maybe.

One of the things we may not have stressed enough is walking. If you doctor approves walk as much as you can. Just try not to sit too long even if you just stand up. I started doing laps in the house which was beyond boring but I think the payoff comes as you heal.
I found it hard to sleep in the hospital so I would sleep a bit then off down the halways I would go. Not fast, just walking. One of the nurses said, it was the key to this surgery

Again, ask your doctor about walking and how much so you can be ready.

Hey Fatcat,

I ride a Harley Sportster and the first ride was about 5 months after surgery. I had surgery in December and we have ice until March so I couldn't ride if I wanted to. By that time I had no problems with it.

Good luck,

Jim

fatcat said...
I walk between my job and around a park in our neigborhood at least 2.5 miles faithfully at least 5 days a week, 1.5 miles or better 7 days a week. should I do more ?

Sounds like you have it going perfect. Now ask you doctor about walking after your surgery and be sure to tell him of your walking now and that will give surgeon a good idea that you are willing to work at recovery in a sensible way.

You are doing so well, this wiil like just another walk in the park. Cheap laugh, I know.


Just one other thing. While you have time now, maybe you could figure out a way to divide that 25 pound bag in half and use a little luggage cart as someone already said.

Hey fatcat, I too was worried sick about incontinence.  I have been riding motorcycles since 1958.  In the interest of taking care of both issues, I chose IMRT.  This is a wonderful forum that is heavily biased toward surgery.  Just the way it is.  The few of us who choose other treatments tend to be quiet.  We are non medical people for the most part and are moved by our personal experiences.  Please pusue all of your options.

Regards,

Bill

Since I'm a computer person, I did a lot of research, read Walsh and others. The final kicker was when after an hour with the Radiology Oncologist, who is a partnered with my Uro, told me when I asked what would you do in my situation? Said “I would do the Surgery” Yes I agree, I could keep riding after Radiation and that weighed very heavily on my mind. I have plenty of time to change, but now I’m looking at Surgery. New development, I went yesterday to my Uro office to ask if he would still be there if something happened during my recovery after Surgery. The Surgeon is 6 hours away, well long story short, since he didn’t recommend this surgeon, his recommended one wanted his 20% up front, $6,000.00. Which I don’t have, he converted to pay as you go 2 years ago. I had to talk to local men that had the surgery, asked them, found the one in Birmingham AL. He came highly recommended, over a 1,000 LRP’s, very satisfied patients. You can see where this is going, since I found him, not the Uro’s office, they won’t be able, probably to see me. I might have to go to the ER with my problem. That would force me to find another Uro and all it would in tale.   He is going to let me know shortly. So you can see that my life is a little topsie turvey right now. Very sorry for the long post

Not sure how close you are ti Birmingham but here is the follow stuff I went through which should be typical I would think.
One week post op at the Uro's office to remove staples
two weeks from op catherter removed
three weeks from op to asses condtion since cath removal
6 weeks after op for first PSA This coming monday.

Our hospital wanted money up front but our doctor didn't so beware of another cash flow area. Ask for payment plans both at the doctors office and the hospital. I know this might be a good answer but most will take credit cards.

All the doctors I talked to suggested surgery so I understand your decesion and you willl do just fine. In no time you will be posting here helping other new comers by sharing your story.

Randy