3 weeks to surgery

Welcome!
I found a recliner to be invaluable. In fact, i slept in it for the entire time the catheter was in. The bag did not tangle since I did not toss or turn. It also gave my wife a good night's sleep without worrying about me all the time. I was easily able to get up to empty if needed. If I woke up in the night, I just watched some TV - she did not hear a thing. YOU need to take care of yourself too and sleep well. I did not go out of the house for the first five days or so..until the pain eased. Everyone has a different technique on what to wear - some swear by wearing underwear, some hate it. Some wear the leg bag, others use the big one. For the first few days, I wore an old fashioned Night shirt which made access for the big bag very easy. Then, once pain subsided, the leg bag and flannel lounge pants were great for a walk outdoors. By the time I was going to remove the cath, I was wearing bluejeans and no one would have known. I found the large bag was easier since the small one filled quickly and you have to make sure the bag is well below the bladder. In a recliner this was hard to do with the leg bag.

This board is full of hints. I shaved my thighs so all those tapes would not hurt. Wish I had shaved my forearms too! I also shaved pubic area myself too. Involved my wife. It helped and made it fun.
He will have to be up and walking a lot, so don't wait on him. A good remote control is great along with a good book! make love a lot before surgery. it will help to go into it in good shape!
he'll be fine.
Paul

 my husband is having davinci surgery on tht 27th and I was so relieved to see your post! Somehow knowing that another wife is having my concerns at the same time is VERY comforting! I'll keep reading and hold good thoughts for all of us! Annie

Yes for sure, read back through the various posts and you will find information that will help.  I think all of us found comfort in the frank information and advice that has been offered here.  The period between diagnosis and treatment is very stressful.  DaVinci surgery presented no problems itself,  and the patient is able to get up and walk around the hospital halls hours after surgery, and is encouraged to do so as much as they are able.  My husband did not experience pain, except for the laproscopic gas which was pretty bad, especially up in his shoulder.  Most people don't seem to, so it kind of came as a huge surprise (read anxiety producer) since no one had mentioned that.   GasX or other may be indicated if this is a problem.  Stool softeners (dosage will vary) are also advised to reduce strain.  For comfort, a soft pillow, or doughnut to sit on,  and loose, knit lounge/sleep pants are great:  leg bag fits easily.  Soft enough to sleep in and hang out, easy to pull up the leg and check, and if dark, respectable enough to wear out and about.  We put a towel down on the bed and chair, but never needed it.  However, like many others, my husband had continuing leakage around the catheter point of exit, and so he started using the pads early.  Lots of water, easy to digest foods, lots of affection and support.  Spouse went home with a large stretch band that held the catheter end in place so he didn't need any tape.  Just removed it for the shower.  That relieved the prospect of pulling on the catheter. The bag snugs to the thigh with the velcro stretch bands. The whole catheter thing turned out to be easier than we'd expected after a bit of experience.  At night we plopped the large overnight bag into a plastic basin, but hitched to the bed frame to keep it upright.  My husband didn't need a recliner, but he found a preferred wing chair and we padded it with a comforter to make it a bit softer. Lots of liquids is in order.  If you have questions and can't find an answer here, do not hesitate to call the urologist, or the surgery department.  Prostate cancer is definitely a "we" problem and there are lots of wives going through the same thing.  Good luck!  Val's wife   

Christina:

I had DaVinci surgery just over two weeks ago, and my experience so far has been excellent.

You're already doing what you need to do before the surgery - get information, talk to people that have been through it, read as much as you can. You've found a great forum for getting good information. And as you can see, having a positive attitude, as well as a sense of humor and a concern for health and well-being is 95% of what you need.

My surgery was scheduled for about 11:00 a.m. on a Friday. I was discharged around 3:00 p.m. the next day. I had started walking the halls on Saturday. I even walked down to the hospital entrance when I was discharged - declined to ride in a wheel chair. I had very little pain - took pills after getting home for just two days, and that was mainly for pain when I coughed ( they encourage you to cough to help your lungs recover from the anesthesia).

I agree with previous posts that it's helpful to have a recliner or other comfortable chair with an ottoman or something to rest your feet on. The doctor with advise that after the surgery, your husband should avoid sitting upright and putting weight on the perineal area. I didn't sleep in the chair overnight like others say they did, but it was where I spent most of my time during the day.


The catheter is what most guys, including myself, seem to dread the most. The thought of a tube hanging out of a place that I regard with reverence was revolting. ..;) But I have to say that it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. And it's not as complicated to take care of as you might think. At the hospital, before discharge, one of the nurses made sure that I knew everything I needed to know and gave me all the supplies necessary. My wife's cousin (whose husband had the same surgery a few months ago) even volunteered to come over and administer her own loving catheter care

I was able to sleep on my back most of the night, with the big bag resting in a plastic pail we use as a waste basket. I'd keep the big bag attached until after I showered in the morning, then I'd switch to the leg bag. Thigh straps with velcro were provided at the hospital to keep the catheter tube secured to the thigh ( to support the weight of the catheter and prevent tugging on the tip of the penis). Make sure they give you two thigh straps. That way, your husband can keep one on as he showers, and he'll have a dry strap to use with the leg bag when he dresses.

I bought a pair of baggy pants on clearance, anticipating that I'd be walking in my neighborhood with a leg bag attached to the catheter. I started walking - short walks at first - the day after I came home. I'd walk 5-6 times a day, and by the third day after surgery, I was walking about 2-3 miles ( five times around the block). The only problem I encountered walking was that the darn thigh strap would sometimes loosen up and start skooting down my leg, causing the tube to pull (ouch!). So I used a safety pin to secure the thigh strap to the bottom of my jockey underwear.

I noticed a few spots of blood and minor leakage around the tip of the penis - probably due to the irritation from the tube, so I used my wife's panty liners (the men's pads are too thick) for the problem.

I've now been without the catheter for over a week. I use 1-2 men's pads a day, and I've noticed that the continence is steadily improving. I walk 5 miles a day and feel great.