My RALP

Just received the bad news this week, doctor said RALP is probably my best option. So I though I do some research, see what the road ahead looks like. 

Thanks Kev for starting this post.

Craig

Hi Craig,
My decision for RALP was unanimous between my oncologist, surgeon and myself with backing from my partner.

I'd consider the following:
Nerve sparing.. (no guarantee of course).
Penis: may be a bit shorter after.
There'll be pain and discomfort but I was quite comfortable by day 2.
The catheter can be uncomfortable and cumbersome, you need to keep an eye on the bag! I needed help with emptying as it's strapped to my calf (may be an issue if you're single).
On a busy ward, it helps to have a partner to fight your corner sometimes.
There'll be a wait for final pathology so it'll be a bit like the biopsy one I guess.

Prep:
I'm no athlete but do use a gym, so bearing in mind comments about shoulder pain, I used the arm bike(?) machine a lot. As well as using gym equipment I went running. I figured I needed to be in the best shape possible. I think this focussed my mind and cleared my head and gave me a positive attitude, so by the day of the op, I can honestly say that I was ready.

Apart from that, others have listed useful stuff like mattress protector, icopads etc.. as theres bound to be the odd drip when changing night bag etc..

I have no regrets (well too late now anyway)

I hope this helps in some way and best of luck.
Kev.

Edited by member 14 Nov 2019 at 14:10  | Reason: Typo

End of week 1
It is now exactly one week on from my surgery so this serves as an update/summary.

Hospital visit done: haemoglobin ok, so looks like I'll be having those anti-coagulant injections after all (30 days).
Doctor assured me that my grapefruit sized scrotum would return to normal and that no she didn't want to see it.

Returning Monday 18th to TWOC (Trial WithOut Catheter) so fingers crossed.

A summary of highs and lows below, (highs outweigh the lows):

Highs:
Surgery over and moved to the ward.
A bed by the nurses station where I could see down the corridor.
Pain under control.
Watching the Sunrise.
Surgeon advises successful operation, good margin and nerves spared.
That bowl of rice crispies when allowed to eat for the first time.
Getting out of bed for the first time. (and shuffling to the day room for a smooch with my better half).
Less frequent ob's at night.
A good night's sleep.
My first shower.
The visitor who brought a box of trivial pursuit questions and the laugh a minute quiz we had in our bay (we called cancer corner).
Going home.
My own bed.
My own sofa.
My first poo.

Lows:
Some pain.
1 hourly ob's.
Room mate's suffering.
Not going home first night as planned.
Two excruciatingly painful spasms.
That itchy staple.

Oh yeah, the catheter.

Edited by member 15 Nov 2019 at 16:23  | Reason: Typos

Yes Matron, I had a spinal injection which I referred to as an epidural, but the anaesthetist told me it was not that. Can’t remember what she said it was called.

She also seemed intrigued when I asked her exactly what drugs she was pumping into me, and we discussed their uses / and recreational abuses, including the opioid Fentanyl. She was probably glad when she finally knocked me out to shut me up!

Anyway, she did a bloody good job.

Cheers, John.

Edited by member 16 Nov 2019 at 04:23  | Reason: Not specified

Very best wishes for your recovery,

Chris

Hi John

Ah yes forgot that. Epidural is also the path for me I believe via the pre-op staff. 

Seems to be favoured as less load on heart/lungs/immune system apparently. I wonder if it will cure me of my fear of needles. Had so many now the bloods on Thursday I didn’t even break into a sweat 😲

cheers

TG