Blood in the urine

 How long can blood in the urine last following an open prostatectomy?

My husband had surgery on 8/24/2009, and is concerned because there is still blood in his urine, it is clearing up, considering what it was when the catheter was removed. I expained to him that can be expected for several months depending on activity level, amount of water consumed ect. He just needs a little reassurance that it is normal. I have tried to get him to join this forum, but he is not quite ready. I think it would be great deal of deal to see that is is not alone on this jouney. I sometimes feel like a real failure to not be able to help him more.

Thanks again,

Pam

Pam, sorry about the mis-spellings, my computer seems to be falling down in the spell checking and syntax arena. Going to have a stern talk with it.

Sonny

Hi Pam,

Unfortunately you can't fix it yourself and I think it is the sense of complete powerlessness that leads to feelings of being a failure. But we do have power, and all medical questions are important to clarify. If you are concerned a trip to check it out might help. I understand that small clots and blood continue microscopically for a few weeks, so I think it really depends on the amount passed. Any frank or dark bleeding would need immediate attention but since it is clearing up (becoming clearer), you might find it is all OK for him. On the other hand, you mentioned that your hubby was fatigued and tired, so perhaps this is lasting longer than it would for some... My hubby passed some blood (pink) for a day or two (unexpectantly) about 3 weeks after surgery and we phoned the nurse who said this was actually OK for him, and the last of the flushing to take place or something like that. But she did say if we were worried to come right on in. Since you also have questions about his iron levels maybe tackle the 2 issues together with a doctor appointment?

On another note Pam, my husband appreciates the anonymous support here, and was surprised and pleased at the genuine interest taken in his journey by everyone here at HW, but he has never visited the site itself as he cannot use a computer at all (unless I am with him). However even if he could, he probably would not join in as freely as others, as underneath a tough exterior he is really quite shy, particularly in talking about himself. I organised a lot of help for my husband which turned out to be stressful for him in the early days (ie. phoning a cancer support group locally who then kindly contacted him, but he refused to talk to them and said that since I had organised it, I could talk to them!!). I made a few mistakes by trying to help too much. In retrospect this was because, like you, I was desperate to fix it. So as long as your husband knows the site is here and you are accessing good and helpful information for him, he may come in his own time, or he may not. But either way, you are NOT a failure. You are the support and the rock he can rest upon, when he needs to. Warm regards, Lana.

Greetings, Pam.  A small amount of blood in the urine can be normal for a few weeks.  You do want it to be getting better which you indicate it is so i think you are headed in the right direction.

Whether your husband ever gets to the site or not, you will always be welcome here.  This is a site for guys and the people who care for them and all of us appreciate loved ones who are interested in our recovery.  Thanks for being proactive in checking things out for him.  David

Hello,

I would like to chime in on both issues;

1) Blood and small clots are normal for some time as there is alot of healing going on in there. As long as it does not appear to be bright red and continues to deminish overtime, it is normal. If red, see doc asap. If questionable, call doc.

2) Hubby may be in denial or afraid to adddress the subjects personally that we discuss here. Alot of men do not share medical stuff well, especially the very personal stuff associated with PC. We all found this as a good place, if for nothing else, some cathartic communication. For me it helped (and still does) manage my expectations and these guys helped me see this journey as one step at a time.

Best wishes and keep acting as his eyes and ears in this Club.

Ted

MY DOC TOLD ME 8 - 12 WEEKS!  MORE WITH STRESS, LIKE A BOWEL MOVEMENT OR LIFTING.  IT SURE IS DISTURBING TO SEE IT. GUYS AREN'T USED TO THAT!

I had robotic surgery. After 6 weeks, there is still blood in my urine.
Four items were labeled AB (Abnormal)
Blood, UR Small
Protein, UR 30 mg/dl
Leuk Esterase, UR Small
WBC, UR 6-20 /hpf

I don't know what it all means. Probably the most important thing here is "your is hubby is not alone."
Jeff
Send him to the weekend getaway we are having in Rochester in two weeks- we'll fix him. Goodlife is coming from Toledo. You can carpool ;-)