"Were you lifting things way to early to bring on the hernia or was the area week prior to surgery." I followed all of my restrictions closely and so i don't think it was from early lifting. I had my...
Brisco - welcome to this site. None of us are glad we had to be here, but thankful for a group to learn and share with. 18 months ago i was just getting onto this forum and learning. After consulting...
One minor setback - not on the cancer side but on total recovery. I developed a small hernia at the larger incision site, center of my abdomen. Had a short surgery last week to repair it and add a...
i started off with Depends. There is also a Walmart brand that is very good. The nice thing with disposables is, well, they are disposable. One of the keys is walking and getting back to good...
Second on the catheter supplies - they are hard to find - on-line, in the stores anywhere. Get them from the hospital. Plan to sleep in a recliner or recliner couch so the catheter bag can be in a...
Lots of good advise above - weight, diet, kegels. Check, but i don't think you are supposed to re-start kegels until catheter is out. (Yes - do them before surgery!) My surgeon had to do a lot of...
Every story is different. After diagnosis, i evaluated surgery, radiation and AS. With a family history of PCa (Dad had surgery 3 years age older than me and with a major spread of the cancer), AS...
I had my 1 year PSA and other tests this week. PSA remains undetectable (<.01). The week of anxiety surrounding the blood draw and test results is over. Good control, exertion leaks every once in a...
For me, the bladder / urethra rebuilding work was major, so i had a scan 2 times before it was finally healed enough to remove. I think mine was in for almost 4 weeks. To do the scan, then basically...
Nick, good luck with the surgery. remember everyone is different so all of this advice is good, but figure out what works for you. for me, i just said to myself 'figure this out and deal with it' and...
Beth, and Gary - Thank you for sharing your story and your journey. You are both strong, brave and courageous. We should all strive to be as loving and caring as you two are for each other. I have to...
Great to hear you are doing well. As others have said, keep moving. Short walks, get up and down. Don't be afraid to use the leg bag or just carry the big bag. Do as much as you can yourself, if keep...
From this Team Chris to you, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Enjoy and take the most from every day. Know that those grand babies will remember and cherish every moment. I am headed to Easter...
With everything going on with getting bladder control and then thyroid, i have held off on the ED solutions. We discussed it at my last visit and as soon as i call the doctor will prescribe something...
I am now 5 months post-surgery. Very well recovered. No pads, some tiny leaks if i really exert myself but that keeps getting better. PSA still undetectable....
Well, I had a total thyroidectomy Friday morning. It has proven to be a wise choice. I had on malignant nodule, and one cancerous one that was fist sized. We will get full pathology in a week, but it...
Q: Did you find the book worthwhile? Are you glad you read it? Do you think my comment that some topics were "a bit difficult" was accurate? In our society, we generally consider discussions of...
Well, this chapter begins when i was at the hospital for my pre-prostate surgery physical check. The resident who was doing my checks noticed quickly that my neck / throat are looked suspicious....
Quick question - do we respond in this thread, or is there another thread for the discussion?...
Still working on that. No drugs yet - that will be on my next visit....
Yesterday was 3 months from surgery date. Seems like surgery was 'forever' ago. Recovery has gone well, just slower than expected. No physical limitations. 99% bladder control - minor leaks when...
My Dad was diagnosed in the early 1990's. Detection came later than it would today. I don't know his score, but he had a radical (pre-robotic) and they removed many lymph nodes. He was about 5 years...
Jack, Thanks for the book club idea and the first book. I am about 1/2 way through reading. I like your approach to the discussion and think it will work well in this environment....
Sorry you are here, but welcome to the club. Like you, I had zero control after the catheter came out. I quickly went to the Depends disposable underwear. Now i am using the Guards and wearing...
:) :) :)...
I am going to keep updating this thread for awhile, so others to follow might have some perspective on recovery times. I know everyone is different, but one story is better than none. I am now 9...
I would love to participate. I will order the book today!...
The catheter is likely held in place with a small balloon. The balloon is filled with water. They will release the water (if you have two tube ends where you connect to your catheter bags, one is the...
Check your leg bag - mine had a one way on the top and then a drain valve on the bottom. I don't remember the brand but it was the one i came home from the hospital with. I found i could go about 2...
One question, I hope it's ok to ask...did you have to take an enema? I've read that sometimes they give that to you before a prostate ultrasound. Never did that before, so I'm a bit nervous about it....
Doug, Looks like we are similar in age and diagnosis. As others have said, take some time to understand what the diagnosis is and what your options are for treatment (or surveillance). Yes, the...
I was told specifically NOT to use an antibiotic cream, just vaseline / petroleum jelly at the tip. that worked well (cath was in for 29 days). I used a walgreen brand stool softner/laxative, took 2...
Find a good urologist. Even with the lo chance of PC, you have time to find one and have an appointment, even if it is a few months to wait. My prostate was enlarged, hard and smooth, but my PSA was...
My bulb was removed the morning i left the hospital because i had stopped draining from there. I had leakage around the catheter. As far as #2, i started taking the tube loose from the leg strap and...
Assuming you are having the rectal biopsy - For me, it was a non-event. Local anesthetic only, a weird sensation, and then the clicks and it was over. I drove myself to and from the appointment and...
2016 has been a year of challenges and ups and downs with family, friends and my personal medical challenges. I am grateful and thankful for the medical technology that allowed for an early detection...
I had bladder spasms while my catheter was still in. I would have to stop what i was doing and just let the pain pass. Usually lasted about 1 minute. Very intense. My nurse recommended NOT taking...
Hope your brother is doing well and is able to enjoy the holidays at home and with family....
First PSA results today from surgery 10-31-16 (7 weeks). PSA = "undetectable" :) :) :) Follow up in 3 months....
I had a bowel prep that was a citrate and ducolax. the goal is an empty stomach and empty bowels for several reasons. I had only liquids and jello the day before, and nothing the day of except a 20...
Update - I am making progress and I am actually keeping a diary of status and small step changes. Tomorrow is 3 week post-catheter. I am staying dry all night. I have to "hold myself" when I get up,...
Back to the OP, this is a great message and good grounding and guidance for us all. When I was first diagnosed, I read somewhere a comment that responded to "Why Me" with "Why Not Me". That idea has...
Hey robotguy - I see you are in Michigan and have robot in your name. Are you a part of FIRST? I am a mentor on an FRC team....
Welcome Rob - you are in a good place for information and support. I was first identified with risk in May and started looking at this site and others. I just formally joined and wish I had done so...
You will find a lot of different experiences - everyone is different. Get in as much exercise now as you can, mainly walking. You will be worn out after surgery - the better shape you are in the...
Lots of good advice here. I just went through much of this (surgery 10/31) and had my catheter for 4 weeks. Here are some things i did or suggest doing - I slept on the couch because it reclines and...
Robotguy - We have similar stories, I am just a bit older. I was in your shoes about 5 month ago with the diagnosis. I looked at Radiation and Surgery specifically, and talked to 2 doctors. Read a...
The cath was in so long due to leakage visible during the cystogram checks. My prostate was very enlarged, and they had to do a lot of reconstruction around my bladder as they re-attached things....
Greetings all. My prostate cancer as detected early. I had Robotic surgery 10-31. Surgery successful and cancer had not spread outside of the prostate. I ended up with my catheter in place for 4...