New member - Post Op question

Hello All:

After flirting with active surv. almost 4 yrs after diagnosis in '05 at 41 yrs old psa 3.8 (at the same time combing major hospitals around the country for options besides surgery and multiple follow-up biopsies one of which was in fact negative!) , I finally yielded to robotic surgery 2 weeks ago (psa  6.5 at this point). Catheter is out and going through the various stages of post-catheter issues. Not doing so bad. Doing my Kegels religiously. Erections ? Definitely some troop movements down there after 2 weeks! All incisions dry except the large one where the prostrate was extracted which is about 98% dry. Pathology is all clear. organ confined, no SV invation and LN clear. Very happy given that I waited that long!

Still dealing with some pain in my mid section especially when I sit for a long time. Right now my biggest issue is soreness around the general groin and rectal areas especially after I pass stool (pain in the ass literally!). The stool softners don't work that good for me. I also experience some burning/discomfort when I urinate. are these 2 common? And words of wisdom for me?

Thanks!

regards

Ike

Greetings, Ike.  Sorry you have to be here, but welcome to the other side of prostate cancer.  Your symptoms that you are experiencing are fairly normal.  You might ask your doc if there is anything else to take in addition to the stool softener.  I think the burning when urinating is fairly normal as well.  I don't know what your doc has said about taking one of the ED drugs just to get things going, but I would encourage you to take them if that is what he prescribes.  My doc prescribed them for me but I got a fairly firm erection about 2 weeks out - just after the catheter was removed.   I didn't take the meds for about 3 months and should have.  Found that I never got back to pre surgery firmness and size until I took the meds.  Started taking levitra 2 times a week just for routine maintenance and it works.  There is a reason they want you to take the meds.  Some of us guys and I mean me in particular just don't like meds of any kind.  What I have learned is there is nothing to be afraid of - they have them for a reason so take them. 

Glad you are doing so well at this point.  David

Just so you will know, you may pass some blood clots in your urine even weeks after surgery.  It's not something that you will feel.  

Thanks so much guys! This is very helpful information indeed. It's good to know that some of the discomfort is pretty normal. Regarding ED, I was given a prescription for Viagra 100 mg "....to begin erectile dysfunction therapy, if needed, two months after the catheter is removed" (extract from my discharge instructions) - if needed? I am sure that's highly rethorical question:).

Soon after catheter removal 10 days from surgery, I started to have about 50% erections (without medication) and it's happening and improving consistently (although only one bundle was completely saved) which does 2 things - gives me hope and reveals rather pleasanty that length and size wasn't compromised!
I will make sure to take my viagra as instructed. I am happy that everyone is doing well with ED. Great source of inspiration.

I will append a signature soon. Thanks to all again!

Thanks Jeff. I am one lucky and blessed SOB! My worry now is the urinary stuff. I am fine while lying down but do not get the urge to go otherwise and the urine just flows out. Is this common initially? Can you walk me through the various stages or how you got yours back? I am trying ti stay positive but I had hope to see a glimmer (too ambitious?) of light after 2 weeks...Thanks

I found that I had no problems as long as I was still so night time and sitting on the couch was easy.
However, once I was up and moving around all bets were off. I noticed it particularly on the walks my wife and I would take around the neighborhood. I began to think my legs acted like bilge pumps keeping my bilge empty and the pad moist. That lasted for about 2 weeks. Eventually, I determined a pad wasn't necessary but the risk of a bit of a squirt when I laughed unexpectedly, or moved in such a way to put pressure on my bladder was more than I wanted to take in public. I wore two pairs of underwear for a week or so to soak up those minor surprises that could embarrass me if they got to the outside world. I used that extra layer to ward off humiliation until last week. I do know I went from "will this never end" to "oh boy, things are dry" in just a couple or three days. The transition was quick. Getting to the transition point was what took time.