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My Two Week Report Since Surgery

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Posted 11/28/2008 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Hello again, one and all:

It's been a full 2 weeks since my open RP surgery.  4 days in the hospital and 10 days since at home. Still have the catheder, and will continue until December 15th.  It is my single biggest complaint, the length of time it has and will be in place.  That and the feeling I am going out of my mind just sitting around and empty house.  My wife, a nurse, works long and hard hours, all my kids are adult age and working, so not a lot of people around during the day.  I only seem to have so much attention span right now for reading, internet, tv, etc.  I try to do a few simple chores around the house, but with the weight limitation, and limited range of motion with catheder, makes that hard too.  I seem to be healing properly, incision looks clean and healthy now that the staples are gone.  Strongest pains I experience now are probably 4 out of the 1-10 scale, so I am only taking Loratab on an as needed basis, an nothing  the rest of the time.  I am sure what I am feeling right now is very normal, for a 56 year old guy that just had major surgery 2 weeks ago.  It's hard sometime, as I feel that I am a prisoner in my own house because of the catheder.  And when that finally is taken out, then I have to deal with incontinence part and ultimately the ED part, though with both nerve bundles cut out, I feel that subject is utterly useless to think about.  Sorry to run on, sometimes I still get overwhelmed by this.  After 3 previous bouts of cancer, I sure the hell didn't need to experience the special world of PC.  Sorry again.

David in SC

Posted 11/28/2008 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Good luck on your recovery and hope for negative margins.
I know its hard to sit around the house doing nothing and not much company around.
Posted 11/28/2008 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
You sound sad. I had my RRP 1 day before you, I can appreciate some of what you're saying. My wife's going back to work on Monday after staying home with me for 2 weeks. Her company and help meant the world to me and I'll miss her. I'll be home for another 4 weeks with a teen-kid or 2 hanging around which may be a good distraction.

I had my catheter out last Thursday and I couldn't wait to get that beast outta me, I HATED it beyond words can describe. I'm happy to wear a pad and spot all day in between kegels.

If I were in your shoes with all day to burn and made somewhat immobile, I'd watch my favorite old movies. Turner Classic Movies is a life saver. Go online and grab a bunch of cool & easy recipes and cook a nice meal for the wife. Drink a few beers perhaps; just switch to a 2-litre urine bag first :-). Look to replace a childhood toy on ebay. Do all the laundry & fold. Juts a few lighthearted suggestions.

In the meantime, good luck to you. See you around.
Posted 11/28/2008 10:09 PM (GMT 0)
glabers,

Thanks for the kind words, guess I was having a bit of a pity party, proves I'm human too. Originally, was told the catheter bag would be in for one to two weeks max, not 5 weeks, or more. My wife stayed home first week I was home from hopsital, thankful for that. I still do all the laundry, just have to life smaller loads at a time, keep up with the trash around the house, fix her coffee, etc, anything to have some semblence of normal.

Was glad to see that your "nerves" were spared, least you have a shot in the ED dept. I fully expected to lose the left bundle, as that is where the PC was thick and heavy. I didn't expect to wake up in recovery room with both bundles gone. It's not that I doubt my doctor's abilities/experience, just really shocked me and disapointed me.

Being freed of this miserable catheter will be a big accomplishment, still over 2 weeks to go, I know there are others here much worse off then me, so I will shut up for now. Appreciate all of you here and your support and comments.

David in SC
Posted 11/28/2008 11:23 PM (GMT 0)
I have probably said this before: losing your nerves is not the end of your sex life. If you were getting good erections before surgery, chances are good you can get them again. Injections and the pump can be very effective -- but there is a learning curve involved in using them effectively. I also am non-nerve-spared, but with injections, our love life is every bit as good as before -- better in some ways.

I agree the catheter is no fun, but you can get out of the house with it in place. Baggy trousers will hide all the equipment, so you can get out walking, shopping etc -- the exercise will be good for you too.
Posted 11/29/2008 12:50 AM (GMT 0)
Piano,

Thanks for the reminder. I am lucky, in that, at age 56, I have never experienced ED, not even once, before this surgery. So perhaps that will work in my favor. On the catheter, my doctor said not to drive while it is still attached, is this normal advice? Glad you are still biding well.

David in SC
Posted 11/29/2008 3:12 AM (GMT 0)

Hi, Dave

Glad you'rer doing okay and I have some suggestions for you to keep you from going stir crazy.  I don't know what your hobbies or interests are but a few projects you might find fun are Building a toy chest for the kids, grandkids, a pre-school class (plans are on-line).  Go to a high school or Junior college basketball game, have friends over for poker, read David McCullough"s book about John Adams(fascinating). Clean out an attic or basement and find stuff you hadn't seen or thought about in years.  Let someone else haul it away or out to the trash. Paint a room, or organize some bookshelves or closets.  These are suggestions my wife and kids came up with.  The more my time is occupied, the faster the healing time will go and as long as it's light duty and it needs to be done, well, I'm just the guy for the job.

If you have to go out, wear sweatpants. Nobody ever notices, or cares.

Hope this helps.

Bob

Posted 11/29/2008 4:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hang in there Purg! I had my HANG for 27 days. I know how your feeling. Hope you "leakin" comes around like it should. Sorry about the nerves. But there are several guys here that use the shots and seem happy with them.
Holler at us anytime.
KW
Posted 11/29/2008 2:11 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Bob and kw, feel a bit better about things this morning. Our family's delayed thanksgiving dinner will be tommorow, Sunday, so whole gang will be here including grandchildren. Least there are footbal games to watch on Sundays/Monday night. Just looking forward to getting out of this prolonged cat bag stage, and into the next stage of recovery. I am known to be a very patient person by nature, but must admit, this ordeal is getting the best of me. Thanks again one and all for your endless insights and kindness.

David in SC
Posted 11/29/2008 11:36 PM (GMT 0)
Purg - Have a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration tomorrow. I'm really pulling for your complete recovery.
Posted Yesterday 4:52 PM (GMT 0)

Purg, I read your post on Thanksgiving and I must admit, I have been thinking alot about it.  I had my open RP on Sept. 7.  Prior to that my only health problems were the blood pressure issues and depression.  I am treating the depression with Zoloft, and it has been a great help.  My second biggest concern after the cancer issue was sliding into depression before and after surgery.  I had a bout last winter, which in fact led to finding my elevated PSA.  So a good attitude was important for me.  I had my catheter removed 2 weeks post surgery.  I have not been able to have a normal pee since.  I dribble like a Globetrotter, and I have to go about every 45 minutes.  I am now to the point that sitting is my best option, something that isnt always practical when I am out and about.  I think possibly, my catheter came out too soon.  I will say that for all the discomfort and inconvenience of the cath, it was nothing compared to what I am fighting now.  So, maybe your time with this may be for the best.  Who knows?

You sound like one of those guys that could never sit still.  I have a neighbor who washes his car every day, and we live in Pittsburgh, where the weather is not usually friendly.  Recovering from surgery certainly puts a cramp on that.  But, again, attitude is key to a quick recovery.  I would make the best of this by watching movies, surfing the web, and talking to friends and family.  Whatever can keep you occupied helps and the first thing you know, your on your way.  I have heard that depression is just stress turned inward.  So, dont hold back, tell your family how you feel, talk to your PCP, whatever.  This fight is tough enough without having to deal with internal issues.  And the best thing that I have found about this forum is that I am not alone.  Count on all of us to have your back as you move forward through this.  Hang in there brother.

Posted Yesterday 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
David, you should have a leg bag for that catheter. Strap it on, put on some loose fitting jeans or slacks, whatever and get out and go, do stuff, see people or things. If you got to spend that number of days hooked up, then after 10 days or so you are ready for an active day. That doesn't mean furniture moving, basketball or such, but shopping in the mall, longer walks, resturant meals, and such should be doable now. You don't gotta sit home the entire time. I used the leg bag, with good effect, and freed myself to rejoin life while healing. You don't have you shopping all done yet, have ya? tongue
Posted Today 3:09 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Dave...We actually went on a cruise with our granddaughter age 10 to Alaska while my husband had his catheter. Leg bag of course... She never knew it was there...He got very good at changing and emptying it.....He had to have his in for a Year!! because he got a fistula from radiation damage before his salvage surgery.....He wore baggy pants, and no one even knew he had it. It was actually easier than later with the incontinence.....Time will go by, and you will see that you will get better and feel better about everything. Time does heal a lot of things.... Good luck to you ! Diane
Posted Today 2:19 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Diane.

I've gotten good about emptying out the bags. I keep the large one on while at home, my immediate family has gotten use to seeing me with it, so no shame there. I always need help putting on the leg bag, as I am the most akward lefty you will ever meet. Can empty that one too. Yes, Ive learned early the trick of baggy, loose, black pants in case of a problem. Ultimately, I still have 100% faith in my doctor, and convinced he knows what he is talking about. So as of this morning, 2 more weeks with the old "bag.

David in SC
Posted 12/2/2008 10:23 PM (GMT 0)
Purgatory, hang in there. It will be a relief to get the cath out. Until then, get out of the house as much as you can. I went to the mall with my wife and I don't even like to shop. It was good to walk around though. I found it lifted my spirits. The chocolate chip cookies there helped too.  tongue
Posted 12/3/2008 4:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Puratory.

Don't let it get you down.  You just have to have the right mindset.  My wife only works part time and not at all for the six weeks I was recovering and off work.  I was fortunate enough to have my surgery in late May and used shorts most of the time.  I hated the leg bag because it was hard to empty.  I used the big bag and put into one of those cloth grocery store bag.  Most people didn't even notice it.  Good luck to you and let us know how your journey is going.

Mika

Posted 12/3/2008 4:56 AM (GMT 0)
 Hello 

 I had my surgery  on november 18  and just had the  cath out  so I know how it feels  wish you the best of luck and hope for a speedy recovery , this has been a big shocker and an experiance , I just turned 42 this year  lol  

Posted 12/3/2008 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
42, my, that is really young to deal with this scourge PC. My dr. said I was one of his youngest patients for the open RP at age 56. I hate the leg bag with a passions, hard for me to empty it, always uncomfortable on my leg, and tends to pull down on the tip of my penis once it starts filling up, so I avoid using it whenever possible.

good luck to you and welcome here
Posted 12/3/2008 5:55 PM (GMT 0)
Purgatory...suggestion here on the cath...make a J-Loop and wear cotton briefs to hold the cath from moving around at your penis. I learned this after always finding it hard to get it comfortable while sitting and then getting up to walk around. The first week it seemed I could get it just right sitting and just right walking but never both until I made that loop. Just an idea to make it easier being you have the cath for so long.
Posted 12/3/2008 6:00 PM (GMT 0)
lv, thanks for the suggestion, already wearing the cotton briefs, not sure about the loop thing.
Posted 12/3/2008 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Yeah...just let the hose hang down while standing...then loop it back up along side of the testicles leaving some slack in the tube. Then the briefs will hold it in that position when you loop it back down to the drain bag. Add a piece of tape to your leg aroung the tube to keep it secured. I also added a thin liner to catch any leakage from around the tube and also made the tube more stationary. It really helped me for both walking and sitting with very little if any movement of the tube. Hope that will help.
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