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Catheter OUT!

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Posted 2/5/2009 3:46 PM (GMT 0)
I got my (#20) catheter out yesterday! Hoooray!

Pathology upgraded me from a Gleason 6, T1a to a Gleason 7 (3+4), T2c. That was a bit sobbering, but I do recognize that it's not that uncommon. The cancer was entirely contained in the prostate and they got it all out, nice and clean. No lymph nodes, no margins, etc. Long term prognosis is excellent. I go back in three months for blood-work and check-up. Currently no radiation or other treatment is required.

Yesterday and last night I didn't have any bladder control - a constant drip. I did my keagals prior to surgery, but when I try to use them now it hurts a bit. It's very sore "down there". Doc said that was normal and I understand why. On average, how much time elapsed before your soreness diminished significantly?

Today I've had some, but very little bladder control. I hesitate to even call it "control". Today is the two week mark since surgery, so I'm happy that even this small measure of "control" is returning.

cheers & beers,
Chris
Posted 2/5/2009 4:03 PM (GMT 0)
Chris,
Congrats on being free of the blasted catheter, as self proclaimed king of catheters, I hereby dub you tube free from this point. My last cath has been gone a lil bit over 2 1/2 weeks, as the day wears on, I still get sorer down there. All the attempts at control just wear you down after awhile. Sure its normal, I am even going to ask my dr on Monday myself. It takes time, in my case, a little better each day. Like many here, I was dry at night first, and once my sleep started getting regulated again after a long week, felt much better. I am neutral on the kegal exercises. It would never hurt to do them, pre or post surgery, I have read reports that questions the value of them in our cases, most of the control part takes time, also depends what degree of control you even had pre-surgery. My road back to dry has been mostly steady. At home, I no longer wear anything, because I know I can make one of 3 bathrooms. Sometimes, if I am running local errands for an hour or less, I wont wear any protection. If I am going to be gone longer, I wear a men's depend pad the kind you stick down your briefs. Mostly for mental more than wetness reasons. At night, even though I have been dry at night all along, still like the security of a depends pull up. I sleep better not worrying about it at all. I will wean myself off of them as soon as the current pack runs out.

You are doing well, Hang in there brother.

David in SC
Posted 2/5/2009 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
The hardest part for me after the cath was removed and I still remember quite vividly....My wife and I went to the movies and upon leaving stood up and it just poured out. Couldn't do anything to stop it at all...filled the pad and ran over down my leg....I think I cried right there on the spot...and cursed everyone and anyone I could think of or that was within ear shot of me. I was so frustrated that I couldn't even stop the flow just a little so I could make it to the restroom. I was so embarassed I went home and sulked for the next two days and had one heck of a pity party (of course no one came to my little party). It was all just that two steps forward and one step back process.

Good luck with your recovery and don't ever get down about the time it takes to gain control...it really does come back over time even though you will certainly believe otherwise at times.
Posted 2/5/2009 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats on getting the cath out...

Not sure what I was thinking, but I wore boxer shorts the day I got my cath out. Pee'd all over myself all day long due to the pad not being where I needed it.

 

Posted 2/5/2009 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Chris:

Congratulations on being cath-free. Glad to hear everything is progressing well.

Tony
Posted 2/5/2009 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear the news. Freedom at last
Posted 2/5/2009 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
AstroNerd -

(Is the 3rd time the charm?) I am 39 weeks post op, still wear one pad a day, and lose about 10 grams due to random leakage. Incontinence is different for everybody. Time and patience are the most important factors.

As I've said before, I was the king of butt pain for 6 weeks. I think I had more than most guys, and some guys don't have any at all. The surgeon has to work right up against your rectal wall, and it gets bumped and bruised and whatever, leading to pain in the rear end. After 6 weeks mine went away pretty quickly. My guess is that yours will disappear faster than that.

Good luck,
kcragman
Posted 2/5/2009 9:11 PM (GMT 0)
Astronerd- Congrats on the good path report. You will be admitted to the Zero Club in no time. The continence thing is different for everyone. I have struggled with my manhood by wearing one going on 4 months. Mine is never alot but I never know when I am going to leak. I think I am resigning myself to saying - It beats the alternative.
Tim
Posted 2/5/2009 9:14 PM (GMT 0)
Tim,
That's a good attitude to take. The alternatives to our side affects after PC treatment are never great, but the thought of having such a dangerous cancer loose in your body left untreated is far worse. I agree with you. And I have true pity on the men with agressive strands of PC that don't even know it, because of not being checked, or even know to be checked, or perhaps knowing and going into denial.

David
Posted 2/5/2009 10:18 PM (GMT 0)
AstroNerd,

Congratulations, on the catheter removal and a great pathology report!

Thanks, I needed an excuse, a Scotch & Soda later to your continued good health and long life.
Posted 2/5/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
I'm with Sandstorm - I will have a scotch on the rocks tonight in your honor. Congratulations. The anchor is gone.

Personally I did not have any pain from surgery or upon having catheter removed. If I tried to do too much (walking, etc) sometimes a little soreness.

You ought to fine in a week or so.

yeah
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