Getting ready for robotic surgery

User

Posted 11 Feb 2016 at 17:41

Hiya Shelle,

What a disappointment for you both especially so close to the day. As you say, you were all primed and ready to go and is only human to feel a bit deflated now.

No choice but to just bash on until 23rd.

Please let us know how things go.

Kind regards to you both,

Kevan

User

Posted 11 Feb 2016 at 20:43

Hi shelle so sorry op has been put back not easy especially when you have both prepared yourselves. Keeping fingers crossed for new date in meantime spend some quality time together - we did couple of meals before op. Take care Jayne x

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 19:27

Hi the robotic procedure wet to plan Tuesday Steve went to theatre at 8am and was there for 4 hours, all went well and he was home at 6.30pm. He is doing well the catheter is painful and sore, he is walking around keeping his mobility up, the district nurse popped in to see Steve not really sure why as we will not be seeing her again lol, Steve is finding the stockings a real nightmare and that he has got to wear them for a month, Roll on the 8.3.16 the catheter will be coming out. Michelle

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 19:42

Hello Michelle
Just to say I'm glad that it all went according to plan and I hope your other half makes a speedy recovery.

His body has undergone a lot of trauma so neither of you should expect too much too soon. As long as he's a good patient and does as he's told he'll do well.

Good luck and all the best
Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 20:24

Hi Shelle

So pleased that the op is over and all appears to be going well. Make sure that he drinks loads to keep the system flushed.

Good advice from Sandra - don't let him overdo it.

Next milestone will be the catheter removal so make sure you go prepared.

All the very best - look after each other.

Kevan

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 20:41

Hi Michelle glad op is over for you both, he did really well to come out same day. Having catheter not great but gives body time to heal hope hubby has been doing exercises. Paul has done quite well with incontinence 7 weeks post op 80% dry and just started on meds for ed. It is hard and you may find he gets frustrated I have with Paul but it does get easier, the hardest thing is the going forward and how as a couple you adapt to the new normal - we are still working on this. Keep in touch Jayne

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 22:18

Thank you for your support, I have the upper hand so he has to do as his told lol Sandra, Kevan when you say make sure you go prepared for the removal of the Catheter what do you mean ? We have a good laugh about things which helps, Michelle

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 22:32

I used a small squirt of instillagel down the end of the penis to ease any discomfort and soreness it just allows the catheter to move without rubbing, I got mine from the hospital but my local chemist had some, about £3.00 a tube.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 26 Feb 2016 at 22:58

Hi Michelle

Sorry if I worried you - I just meant to remind you to take some pads and suitable pants for the trip home. I have to admit that I bought some incontinence pants for use at night. When I put them on first time I have never laughed so much in my life. My wife and I were in hysterics.

All the best

Kevan

User

Posted 27 Feb 2016 at 11:18

Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

Hi Michelle
Sorry if I worried you - I just meant to remind you to take some pads and suitable pants for the trip home. I have to admit that I bought some incontinence pants for use at night. When I put them on first time I have never laughed so much in my life. My wife and I were in hysterics.

All the best

Kevan

Like the ones I bought in Asda then.

Did the job, but not the least bit "manly" what with the frilly leg elastic. After all, who was going to see them but me and all I was concerned about was keeping the mattress dry!!

Towels and one way liner under the sheet as well. Pants worked well so no mishaps

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 27 Feb 2016 at 13:19

LOL I see, yes we have a had a delivery of pads 3 massive boxes, I also went today to buy some Y Fronts for him lol which did put a smile on our faces, steve is seeing the funny side of it, Thanks Chris I will see if I can purchase some.

User

Posted 27 Feb 2016 at 13:30

Hi Shelle,

Pleased to read that Steve has had his op and things appear to have gone well.

Reading some of the comments about pads etc... I agree .... a sense of humour will certainly help you both in coping with Steve's recovery.

Laughter can be a very good medicine! http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-smile.gif

Best wishes
Luther

User

Posted 27 Feb 2016 at 20:05

hiya, can you help me with a question, we have been told a little bit about Steve water works after the catheter has been removed, but can you tell us from your experience what to expect ? Michelle

User

Posted 27 Feb 2016 at 22:05

The urethra has been cut, prostate removed and then the two ends of the urethra joined back together. A bit like splicing a hosepipe when it has been damaged. The catheter gets the urine out of his bladder while that join is healing.

As part of removing the prostate and that section of urethra, men also lose either one or both of the valves that control urine flow out of the bladder and stop backflow. When the catheter is removed, some men are continent straight away while others have to relearn how to control urine with the (now in a different place) valve. Also, for a little while, the urethra can leak while the new join finishes healing - our urologist described it as trying to carry water in a sieve. Alongside all this, the surgery cuts through countless layers of flesh, nerve endings and muscle, including pelvic floor muscles that control urine flow so that we can tense and 'hold it in' - something we learn as toddlers. The pelvic floor can be helped to recover with Kiegel / pelvic floor exercises but some men have to re-learn exactly how to tense because it has stopped being an unconscious act.

An unfortunate minority find that the valve is permanently damaged and/or have great difficulty getting the pelvic floor back to its previous state but for most, it is just a matter of time and patience.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User

Posted 27 Feb 2016 at 23:29

Hi Shelle

Brilliant explanation from Lyn so I will confine my reply to my own experience.

I had very little control for the first couple of weeks so was using high volume pads during the day(at least 3 per day) and using the pants at night. I was getting up at least twice during the night which meant that while lying down I had more control than when stood. It felt strange wearing the pads and I always felt as though they were causing pressure which didn't help but I persevered. I should point out that during this time I always sat to urinate as due to swelling, shrinkage and pads there was no viable altermative. Bit by bit I found that the night time improved and I was fine while sitting. Main problem was stress incontinence caused by using the muscles whem getting up or lifting anything. Kept doing

my PFE, s three times a day plus walking every day. Always carried spare pads everywhere. Night times improved so that I got rid of the incontinence pants and wore just a pad. Gradually things improved during the day and I could control myself when moving from a sitting to standing position but I still leaked when walking. This got to be a drag as if out all day I got frustrated having to keep changing the pads. I went online and ordered some Conveen external catheter sheaths and leg bags for when out walking. They were brilliant

and made a huge difference. This at about the four month mark. As things improved I changed the type of pads to lighter weight which were more comfortable. Six months on I am more or less back to full control. I would say that none of this has stopped me doing anything it has just taken a bit more planning and has on occasions been uncomfortable but you just adapt.

I never would have thought that I would find myself discussing the merits of various incontinence products with the girls in Boots but it is surprising what you will do when you need to.

Hopefully things will go well and all of this will be irrelevant.

All the best

Kevan

User

Posted 28 Feb 2016 at 09:14

S / M

Like K I will give you my own experience we are all different and recovery at different rates.

When the catheter was removed and before leaving hospital I had to drink water and urinate three times then after the third urination the bladder was scanned to see what was left in. The process took about two hours and I think it pretty standard.

Getting in and out of the car I leaked, getting up from a sofa I leaked, only small amounts. I do not remember leaking at night. This lasted for four days and then when I stood up no leak. The incontinence nurse told me to go when I needed to, but not to go just in case. I did my PFEs for four months pre op and restarted post catheter removal.

I still wore pads for quite a few weeks and had the odd accident, but only a few MLS. One day I was out shopping and realised I had not put a pad on. My job involed alot of 1 to 5 hour car jouneys so I carried a travel urine bottle, towel and spare under wear in the car for emergencies but only used the bottle on one occasion. I would do PFEs when driving andI still wore a pad if going on a long journey.

Some guys have done better than me and hope OH is another one.

Thanks Chris

Edited by member 28 Feb 2016 at 09:15 | Reason: Not specified

User

Posted 21 Mar 2016 at 19:41

Hi everyone, we have reached 4 weeks since the robotic procedure and all is going really well actually great, Steve has leaked very small amounts, we are both over the moon with the outcome from the surgery, we have an appointment the 6th April for the full results so fingers crossed all is good xx

User

Posted 21 Mar 2016 at 19:48

Hello Shelle,
So pleased all is going well for both of you.
Long may it continue
All the best
Sandra

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails

User

Posted 21 Mar 2016 at 19:49

Brilliant news and probably reassuring for those about to embark on the same journey.

Thanks Chris

User

Posted 21 Mar 2016 at 20:00

Great news!

Hopefully even more good news for you both on 6th April when you get the histology report..

Luther

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