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newly here, newly diagnosed, with velocity

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Posted 7/7/2023 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
nels,

It sounds like you're right on track. Most likely you'll be dry at night before during the day. A trick to learn is to kegal as you stand up from a chair. It takes some practice--but eventually it becomes automatic. I always found that my most likely moment to leak a little was as I stood up...or if I made a sudden twist or bend.

Something else to share about my attitude towards drips and leaks:

Before my RALP, I had some BPH going on, so I leaked and dripped a little, especially if I was overtired or was trying to hold it for a while (like while on a road trip). My logic says that if my total daily drippage is about the same as during that time, and I considered myself continent then, then a similar amount of drippage now is acceptable.

I remember the move to thin shields--it was about week 3 during the day, with heavy pads at night. After a week of dry pads in the morning, I went to shields at night. I probably used shields during the day for 3-4 months, more for security reasons than anything.

As far as sexual activity goes...take it easy again. Let your wife lead the way and do most of the work. Your abdominals still have a ways to go to heal up.
Posted 9/19/2023 2:47 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everybody, I'm now almost 12 weeks out from my sp-RALP surgery and am happy to post that my PSA is <0.1, which they're calling "undetectable". The two small incision scars are barely visible, with a modest knot of scar tissue beneath the primary, just below my navel. My wife & I have resumed sexual activity, and while I'm not quite 100% of where I was pre-op, things are working nicely & getting steadily better. Mostly back to full bladder control (even though "full" seems about half?) I don't use any pads at night & during the day I only wear one when I'm feeling run-down, or when doing vigorous physical activity, just in case of a little stress-leak.

Now that I can get back to full physical activity I've bought a new mountain bike. I look forward to dropping the 10 lbs I put on from post-op lazing around... and I've not climbed back on my unicycle just yet, but will soon while there's still good weather to play in.

I've got to say that the surgery was far less of an ordeal than I expected, and the S.E.s are so minimal that I'm pleased to have gone this route & gotten the damn thing entirely out of me. Now, on to quarterly surveillance...
Posted 9/19/2023 9:20 AM (GMT 0)
Nels, let me be the first to congratulate you for achieving trifecta! Woot Woot!

Here's some things I have incorporated into my life:
I've found that the time lag between "I need to pee soon" to "I need to pee right NOW" is a lot shorter than it was. So, for example, extended travel requires careful monitoring of water intake AND a certain amount of planning ahead. The days of being able to get in the car and drive 3-4 hours between stops is long past.
You will likely find that your bladder capacity will return to what it was previously.

You'll find your sexual responsiveness is different....still good, but different...embrace the different!
Posted 9/19/2023 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
nels, We're all delighted that you're doing so well! Congrats!

Djin
Posted 9/19/2023 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
That is an outstanding update, Nels. Let me know when you get on your mtn. Bike, as mine is sitting in my garage and looks at me every time I walk through the garage.
Michael
Posted 9/19/2023 11:11 PM (GMT 0)
halbert, Djin, Michael, thanks! My whole PCa adventure coincidentally kicked off just as I bought my first EV, in March. So the typical concern about "range anxiety" is actually not a thing for me, because my bladder's new range is shorter than the new car's.

I'm @ Mayo in MN currently; met with my surgeon today for the 3 mo. debrief. We spent probably half our time discussing bicycles -- his new gravel bike, my new mountain bike, etc. In addition to being a top surgeon, Dr. Frank is a lovely guy. He actually visibly blushed when I thanked him for doing such a great job on me, and expressed my appreciation for how the surgery & recovery was so much less arduous than I'd feared.

His response: "Music to my ears!"

And yeah, trifecta! I feel pretty good about my recovery & SEs, but according to Dr. Frank I can expect to continue to improve on all fronts for at least a year, perhaps two. On the continence side it's about continuing the daily kegels to build & maintain new muscles (and habits) for avoiding leakage. And on the ED front, his advice was to engage in some form of "activity" daily, if at all possible, to enhance blood flow.

Thankfully I have a lovely, understanding wife who, on hearing this recommendation, agreed: "Okay then: doctor's orders!"
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