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So excited I peed my pants - update

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 10/15/2017 10:57 PM (GMT 0)
Well it has been 2 weeks since my surgery to remove the prostate and wanted to give you all an update. Had my catheter removed on October 12 and was told that the Gleason 8 that was initially found was a Gleason 9 - so it does appear I was wise to not delay action any further. The best news was to come when they told me they were 95% confident that the cancer had not escaped the prostate and in all likelihood it had all been removed. All tissue and lymph node analysis came back negative. Could not have been happier. Will get a PSA test in mid-November and see where the numbers are at and hopefully it verifies all of the findings so far.

I can honestly say I could not have gotten through this without the help of my wife. She definitely deserves an award and a special spot in heaven. She never complained once about having to assist with changing the catheter, assisting in bathing and my unending *****ing about the darn catheter - definitely the hardest part to date.

Now the fun is trying my hardest to get continent again -- have virtually no control on day three -except during the night. I know it is a slow process and I am not generally a patient guy -- been doing my exercises but I would like to know the general experience on when some semblance of continence returned. Maybe I would be patient at least til then tongue

Thanks for all your help to this point - it has been a help to have a site to turn to with others who have gone through similar things
Posted 10/15/2017 11:22 PM (GMT 0)
Hi my advice would be to start walking and don't quit till you get some control that's what i did and after 4 wks was about 90 percent continent now am 99 percent so hang in there pretty soon you won't think about it and keep walking

Larry
Posted 10/15/2017 11:26 PM (GMT 0)
Could you put your stats in your signature?
Posted 10/16/2017 1:07 AM (GMT 0)
First off, sounds like a great surgical report. Keep an eye on that PSA, you never know if micro particles got out. And, keep healing, it takes time.

The continence is incredibly variable...but you knew that. Most men who are going to get their continence back get there within a few weeks to a few months. The nighttime dry is great. It means that the basic muscles are holding. You just have to get the rest of things back in shape, and the walking will help that.
Posted 10/16/2017 1:35 AM (GMT 0)
Very excited tentatively don’t want to be too optimistic but feeling better than I have since I found out results Have started walking hopefully Ohio weather will let me continue So anxious to get back to “normal”. But I’m sure that is a common ideal. Know patience is key but until it is back to non leakage you always wonder if it will last for longer than the norm. The tag on my topic came from a text with my daughter when she heard the surgical results were very positive and she was so happy and I responded I was so excited I..... it was a light moment that hadn’t been there for awhile
Posted 10/16/2017 1:37 AM (GMT 0)
You're off to a great start on continence, Ron. Don't worry about peeing like a baby daytime the first few days -- I did too, you'll soon start regaining control. My only advice is, Don't get discouraged if you don't see progress every day, or even have a bad day from time to time. Stress, muscle fatigue (don't overdo the Kegels), too much coffee, etc., can put you back temporarily. Focus on week-to-week improvement, not day-to-day. I'm only 9 weeks out from RP, so those first couple weeks of the continence battle are fresh in my memory. It gets better. I'm down to light pads daytime (Tenas), but I keep some heavier Depends pads around for when I'm out drinking! Best wishes to you.
Posted 10/16/2017 4:41 AM (GMT 0)
Still early days. Do the Kegels, walk as your able, and wait a few months.

That's the basic plan.

It gets better in fits and starts, but it does get better.

Andrew
Posted 10/25/2017 4:27 PM (GMT 0)
So working on 2 weeks since cath removal and no change. Still losing complete control every time I stand up. Makes meeting with clients almost impossible. To say I’m getting discouraged would be an understatement. Shouldn’t there be some improvement?? Anything at all would give me hope
Posted 10/25/2017 5:11 PM (GMT 0)
It takes time. Walking is very important, as it strengthens the pelvic area. If you haven't already, avoid coffee, alcohol and acidic fruit juices as they all are diuretics or irritants.
Posted 10/25/2017 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried going to physical therapy for pelvic floor muscles? I found it helpful.
It’s still early, 2-3 weeks post catheter. I had a bad run of days with continence around that time. It gets better. Hang in there.
Posted 10/26/2017 1:50 PM (GMT 0)
Ron,
Start taking some data. Weigh your pads, keep track of how much you drink and don't over do it.
You might feel like you have not improved, but perception is not always reality. Data is.
For example: last week you might have been leaking 1000 ml per day. This week you are leaking 800 ml per day. Next week might be 600 or 500. In this case you are actually improving - but without data you don't see it. All you know is your pants are wet and your pads are dripping.

Believe me, I've been there. I tried to weigh every pad and peed in a cup every time. I then plotted my progress. I could see improvement for the first 6 months but it began to level out at a leak rate that justified corrective surgery. The data helped decide the right path for me.
Give it a little time - and take some data. You'll be glad you did.

Jeff "Without data all you have is an opinion."
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