Best of luck Gary
With this disease it’s best to get it out asap and then you can focus on moving on with life and putting this all behind you.
Please don’t worry at all about surgery. I had tears randomly rolling down my face in the lead up but I really shouldn’t have been concerned at all as it was all very trouble and pain free. Hardest bit was just ensuring to following medical advice and not doing anything silly post op.
To make things easier during the process the following helped me loads with massive thanks to the folks on here for their MacGyver skills advice and support.
For the hospital:
Travel light but don’t carry anything post op.
if the surgery is early check in consider staying close in a hotel to reduce stress on the day etc
Super Long Charger cable for phone and charge pack.
media box as hospital tv can be mixed bag and you won’t sleep much night after surgery. I also took an hdmi lead etc for Roku and set it up pre-op on the tv and connected to hospital WiFi
Post op:
Full length zip shell sports trousers…these are super helpful for managing the catheter urine bags you will have for around two weeks post op. I bought 3xcanterbury open hen stadium joggers which proved a godsend.
large builders bucket to stand the night catheter bag in to ensure it doesn’t fall.
i went a bit ott on waterproofing the bed. Bought a waterproof mattress protector and also hospital type water proof single divet and pillow. All just belt and braces for reassurance but cheap and did the job.
Tena absorbent sheet
tena level 3 pads for post catheter as can take a few weeks for the drips/leaks etc to stabilise.
tena level 2 pad as things improve.
Full continence should be ok and just take a bit of time as the surgical site settles. Takes around five weeks for stitches to start to soften etc I was continent after catheter removal but will leaks and squirts that happen more when tired.
a lot will have happened downstairs so it just takes a bit of time for everything to settle as long as you follow medical advice.
a lot will have happened downstairs so it just takes a bit of time for everything to settle as long as you follow medical advice.
baby wipes are always useful.
Sterile wipes are helpful for wiping down etc
I also found those travel Jon or Shewee type wee bags filled with gel we are useful as a backstop for travelling. Mainly for the car if you can’t get out and use the toilet quick enough but they were rarely used. Most of the stuff you have is really for reassurance and comfort and just to make life a little bit easier Post op.
hospital will give you some stuff and possibly more if you’re going private which will take care of most of the management.
Hospital will give you some stuff and possibly more if you’re going private which will take care of most of the management.
For immediate postop constipation was an issue which is very common. The hospital gave me but I also had in the fridge some lactulose that I purchased from a chemist after telling them what I needed and why.
which is very common. The hospital gave me but I also had in the fridge some lactulose that I purchased from a chemist after telling them what I needed and why.
highly recommend a good diet postop of vegetable soups with some meat for a balanced protein diet. I found some dietary fibre very useful and moderate amount of figs, fruit seeds and nuts which my gf sorted and that easy the guts into settling without too much fuss. Just keep super hydrated etc
also set up any area in the lounge where you can sit in a reclined position which is much more comfortable I found.
also set up any area in the lounge where you can sit in a reclined position which is much more comfortable I found.
If you work at a desk on a computer, it’s useful to get one of those haemorrhoid or pile cushions with a hole in the middle to take pressure off that area when working
other than that should be okay. If you look through my operation thread it should give you a few hints and tips on route on the journey.
it’s all a bit of a rollercoaster ride as you know but once you’re through it you wonder why you worried so much and hopefully you can put it all behind you.
it’s all a bit of a rollercoaster ride as you know but once you’re through it you wonder why you worried so much and hopefully you can put it all behind you.
for a while post catheter I didn’t drink beer much because I found at night it would make me leak or even pee myself purely because of the quantity of liquid but wine was fine.
I was back in the gym after month three of recovery and doing dips and pullups gently or bear with a few minor leaks and drips. I found if I just emptied my bladder when it was say half full there were no issues so that was fine.
I was back in the gym after month three of recovery and doing dips and pullups gently or bear with a few minor leaks and drips. I found if I just emptied my bladder when it was say half full there were no issues so that was fine.
Now just over five years post op . I’m doing three hours gym: weights, cables & calisthenetics without issue but I don’t let my bladder get more than half full and no issues at all.
generally don’t have to think about the bladder it’s all really it’s pretty normal. In stressful situation it can be a bit twitchy and if I have a dental treatment I’ll maybe wear a pad for reassurance but it’s not used at all.
generally don’t have to think about the bladder it’s all really it’s pretty normal. In stressful situation it can be a bit twitchy and if I have a dental treatment I’ll maybe wear a pad for reassurance but it’s not used at all.
so happy days and so far cancer free which is the primary goal. The rest of the bits and pieces can be managed and have been and I’m pretty happy today that’s for sure.
so happy days and so far cancer free which is the primary goal. The rest of the bits and pieces can be managed and have been and I’m pretty happy today that’s for sure.
Plus the fact when you get older won’t have all these enlarged prostate related issues that seem to plague the older chaps which is a bonus for sure.
please shout if you have any questions and we’ll all be here for you for the journey and please use this forum as as a sounding board for anything.