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Post-RALP Report

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Posted 5/21/2022 4:29 PM (GMT 0)
I'll centralize my progress in this thread and let the couple of others I've started disappear.

Today is day 4 post-RALP and I'm thankfully continuing to improve and there have been no complications. The incisions are sealed with surgical glue and everything is compressed using an abdominal binder. I've found the binder to be rather comforting and stress-relieving. This morning I switched for the first time from a night bag to a leg bag, and am happy with the results -- walking around is much less complicated. Prior to the RALP I purchased a small supply of leg and night bags from Vitality Medical.

The most annoying thing is the abdominal swelling -- I feel like a blimp and that I've gained 20 pounds. On the scale, however, it's actually about 8 pounds post-surgery. I realize the swelling and fluid retention is a natural part of the healing process and there's a "lot going on in there" due to the surgery. Also getting quite a bit of swelling in the groin/scrotal area. Again, I realize this is to be expected.

Any "real" pain is gone -- not even taking ibuprofen at this point. Walking around and trying to stay busy -- in fact, sitting too long hurts a little. I'm a ham radio operator, might spend some quality time in the station learning a new mode or organizing stuff. Working back up to my usual activities, but can't imagine taking my usual 3 mile walk with the catheter. And yeah, I truly hate the catheter. 12 more days and it's out. Can't wait. However, removing it earlier than that was ill-advised by my doctor.
Posted 5/21/2022 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
What's to hate about a thick rubber hose up your junk? 😉

Sounds like you're doing well enough.

I've never done it, but I always thought HAM radio sounded fun.

Hang in there.
Posted 5/21/2022 5:21 PM (GMT 0)
I hear you on the abdominal swelling part. I couldn't believe what I looked like post surgery. The catheter to me, truly was the toughest part of the whole post surgery. Getting it out was a relief. Hang in there! Listen to your Docs and heal. All the best to you!
Posted 5/21/2022 8:07 PM (GMT 0)
Roadrunner - glad you're up and around again. Those hose things can be a drag. . .

I did not have PCa surgery, but did have to tolerate a leg bag for a week some years ago. I even went to work, driving myself to and from, with it. As long as I wore baggies, no big issue.

As for ham radio, I've been a ham for almost 60 years. The bands are picking up, but the last few days have been worthless for me. I am on a "re-start" of DXCC, and now holding at about 113 worked, 96 confirmed. Slow going, with 100 watts and a vertical.

Hang in there. It does get better.
Posted 5/21/2022 9:12 PM (GMT 0)
I took a picture of myself in the mirror a couple of days after I got home to immortalize the moment. Swelling and bruising is quite obvious as well as my little hose friend.
Posted 5/22/2022 1:29 AM (GMT 0)

Mumbo said...
I took a picture of myself in the mirror a couple of days after I got home to immortalize the moment. Swelling and bruising is quite obvious as well as my little hose friend.

I don't want to immortalize any of this -- I'm a bloated blimp and sometimes it's hard to find a chair I'm comfortable in. So far I'm happier in the mornings and mid-day. By the time the evening hits I'm feeling pretty drained from all of it and would prefer to have a martini -- but those are being skipped for now. Getting scrotal swelling as well -- Mr. Peepers is trying to hide.
Posted 5/22/2022 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you are having my experience which may or may not be typical. It took at about a week before I started moving the other direction, physically and mentally. I do remember I was in pretty good shape at 10 days and felt excellent about 5 minutes after the catheter was removed and I did not leak. Once the catheter is out, your mood improves considerably as you walk to the car. I saw the doctor at three weeks and again at 3 months and he was not longer the person that hurt me. Time heals all…
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