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Radical Prostatecomy & Motorcycle riding

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Posted 6/13/2015 4:34 PM (GMT 0)
I recently had a radical prostatectomy via Davini Robotic surgery on June 1st, 2015 (now day 13 post surgery) at the Roger Maris Cancer Center in Fargo ND. I was diagnosed via PSA 6.7 and Gleason was 9. My question to all you bike riders out there, how long after surgery before you could comfortably highway ride your "cruiser"? I'm not talking riding around town. I'm talking 400 miles+ per day (Its the Sturgis 75th this year and its 400 miles from my home). When did you get back on the saddle and wind in your face? Thanks for your help.
Posted 6/13/2015 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
HDHOG,

The temptation to ride will be great but I urge caution and short hauls to start. I had open RP in 2006 but didn't have a bike at that time so I can't speak directly about motorcycling after RP but I found long drives or long days operating farm equipment caused more than normal fatigue and soreness even 3 or 4 months later. I recall jumping in the pickup truck my first day home from the hospital and driving rough dirt roads checking crops (the Uro said no driving for 2 or 3 weeks, but what did he know) and that did me in for the rest of the day.

I have ridden some 400 and 600 mile days since but I'm sure that would have been excessive at two months post RP. As for the rest of the madness at Sturgis, pace yourself there, too.

Best wishes.
Posted 6/13/2015 6:34 PM (GMT 0)
Biker56:
Thanks for the feedback...riding is my passion, my average miles per year for the past 10 years is 22,508 per year, so as you can see I spend a lot of time in the saddle. I'm hoping someone who's "been there, done that" can give me a taste of reality? Can't imagine going in a car, but either way I'm going ... this will be my 26 year in a row.
Posted 6/13/2015 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
I was told by my surgeon not to ride for 3 months post surgery, part of the healing process. I did wait the 3 months and was more or less fine. Plan your trip accordingly if possible.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/13/2015 7:12 PM (GMT 0)
Doug:

Thanks for the "reality check" ... this is the first actually hearing from anyone or anywhere I've searched on the internet in regards to riding. Since Sturgis will be 9 & 10 weeks post surgery. Looks like will be making the journey in a cage. I will, no matter what, follow Dr's orders. I'm doing my Kegel's as directed and walking regularly. It is what it is! Thanks for the feedback.

I should have added in my other post...I'm 60. Will have my first post surgery (3 month) checkup on Sept 4th. My biopsy was 7 out of 12 positive
Posted 6/13/2015 7:43 PM (GMT 0)
Brother, you'll be glad you heeded the advice. It's not so much the discomfort but the stress and strain put on the area and the spreading of your legs for mounting and dismounting. Don't even want to think about trying to lift the bike! lol

Cheers, Doug
Posted 6/13/2015 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Doug:
I will follow Dr's orders...Period! However you can probably relate after reading what I consider normal. For the past 10 years, my "average" per miles year for that 10 year period is 22,508 miles per year average. Since I live in ND, that's between late April to end of Sept. That's a lot of saddle time...I'm lost without being on my bike. I'll chalk it up as "there's always next year I guess"... in order to be a next year, I must follow Dr's orders. Thanks my friend.
Posted 6/14/2015 6:50 AM (GMT 0)
darn HD, most people don't put that many miles on a car in a full 12 months. Hope you get many more years of riding. Last year Gary tried to make a 2hr local run and was hit with SEs from chemo. Good thing I wasn't on the back and could go get him and leave the bike at his sister's til he felt better. Now we keep our rides to local places and events. He is so weak currently that it's unsafe to ride at all. Please take care and remember you need to get back from wherever you've gotten to.
Beth for Gary
Posted 6/14/2015 10:57 AM (GMT 0)
HD, I don't ride, never had the inclination. What I CAN say is that even long car rides are different. I found early on that the time lag between "I need to go soon" and "I need to go RIGHT NOW" has gotten a lot shorter since surgery. Used to be I could go 2-3 hours in the car between pee breaks. Now, it's more like every hour on the hour.

The nice thing is that I can empty my bladder, no matter how full, in about 15 seconds.
Posted 6/14/2015 12:21 PM (GMT 0)
Beth, Gary, Halbert:
Thanks for sharing your input with me. Reading the actually reality of not getting on my bike this season, was a major blow to me yesterday. Pretty cloudy mentally here even though the sun is shining. This news was devastating and gut wrenching to swallow. Don't get me wrong, I am blessed from the "Man upstairs" just to be here and appreciate everyday, it could always be worse. This site is so helpful.
Thanks again for sharing.

Age:56
Biospy: 8 of 12 all RT side
Clinical Stage: T1C
Bone Scan, CT scan negative
RALP on 6/1/15, Roger Maris Cancer Center, Fargo ND, Dr Thomas Noah
Posted 6/14/2015 12:34 PM (GMT 0)
I was stressed out after my seed implants my Dr. said no motorcycle riding for 2 weeks. I feel for ya man.
Posted 6/14/2015 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
Back in my riding days they didn't call HD's Milwaukee vibrators for nothing. I don't know if that's still the case with the newer engines but it seems to be an issue with the 45 degree V-twin design itself. So you may have to be careful even after 3 months. I don't suppose you would consider trading in your HD on a Honda/Yamaha/Suzuki would you? BMW's flat twin design may be another option. But riding into Sturgis on any one of those would be blasphemy.
Posted 6/14/2015 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Onthfence:
Thanks for comments but not here to bash brands. I'm a Harley rider for sure, its a life style and passion. But as long as someone gets the wind in their face and happy, they can ride anything that floats there boat. Their friends of mine. Personally, If I can't ride a Harley ... I'd take up fishing, end of my story! Once I get to 4 months, that puts me out of riding season here in ND anyway, so apparently I'm screwed for 2015. Passion? I was the 6th guy to ever ride on a Harley the www.IronButt Associations, Border to Border Insanity Ride (Couts, Alberta Canada to Tijuana Mexico in less then 24 hours, 23 hours, 25 minutes to be exact, 1,518 miles). The HD flag is flying at half mast.
Posted 6/14/2015 5:12 PM (GMT 0)
HD HOG,

Sorry that you must be here, yes head your Docs advice, I don't ride as many miles as you, and my RALP was in NOV so no riding then anyways up north,butI was ridongagSin in the print, my issue came from incontenance and leaking and timing sucks...this past Friday I had an AMS 800 AUS installed and nothing for the next six weeks...so I rode my first send probably last long ride of the year for a charity event with my Association last weekend. Didn't even get my bike inspected. My real passion is flying jog air balloons and won't be doing any of that again till AUG at the earliest. Keep you head up and make sure that you stay Cancer free and ride safe. Never been to Sturgis maybe someday! All the best.
Posted 6/14/2015 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
HD, Don't worry...you'll get back on your hog. Good to hear you're not willing to sell out on the Harley. Fishing is a good diversion for a while.
Hang in there and get that flag flyin proud!
Gary n Beth
Posted 6/14/2015 6:17 PM (GMT 0)
Paul, Gary n Beth:
Thanks for the inspiration ... I needed that today! I'm trying to heed the rules of the "no whining aloud", but when its so nice out, for such a short period, its tough. Paul, Sturgis isn't for everyone, but since I went the first time 25 years ago, I'll never not go! Matter of fact (hopefully not soon), my kids are instructed to spread some of my ashes there. Like the saying goes around here... there's two things you don't mess with, week of Sturgis and deer hunting season. Other then that I flexible. Wishing speedy recovery to all my new friends!
Thanks... you helped more than you know.
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