Living alone, how long after getting RP can I be on my own?

I'm sorry that you are part of our club, but we're all here for you!

First, your hospital likely has a social worker that can help you get in touch with people who help folks in need of rides or in-home assistance.

Second, the recovery time from RP isn't very long. I was chair bound for a day after the hospital, then could get around with a cane (to not over engage my abs) and within a few days I was back at it. It's now exactly 3 weeks later and with the exception of a pesky incision that isn't healed yet, I'm mostly back to normal.

I would suggest prior to any treatment you do things like have your meals ready to go in the freezer or fridge, including some good comfort foods (Mac and cheese was one of mine). You don't want to do anything more than reheat for a few days and, in fact, you may want only liquid foods for a day or two as you adjust to things. I drank a lot of broth - and bone broth specifically because it has more protein and protein promotes healing.

I cannot speak about radiation but I've read that most guys have little to no down time unless they get sick from it.

Wow. You're kinda making it tough either way.
First of all, you'll need someone to drive you home from the hospital, help you out of the car & into the house.
I can only speak of the surgery because I haven't had the radiation.

Where exactly are you? There must be some kind of state-funded home help/district nurse who can come over & check your catheter etc.
Make enquiries now about what's available.

If you have surgery, the catheter is normally in place for 2 weeks. So you'll probably need some sort of assistance throughout that period.

The good news is you've come to the right place.
Keep coming here for questions to guys who have been through this/going through it.
You'll find lots of helpful information here.

The decision is yours - because it's your body - but if you're willing to share test results from MRI/biopsy (Gleeson score etc) you'd get more accurate answers.

You’ll probably need help for three or four days after leaving the hospital, following prostate surgery, At that point, you should be able to do what you need to do in the house. That also depends on your age. If you’re 70 or under And keep in good shape you probably Could do What you need on the third day.

I had seven weeks of radiation and went immediately to work after, for a full day every time. Some people have worse reactions. I already know some people that had fatigue after treatment. You never know, though some people have more severe reactions, But it is rare.

I recently had SBRT radiation on my back and didn’t have any issues at all, for the three days I had the treatment. Went around the rest of my day normally.

Have you spoken to both the radiation oncologist and a urologist about both options?

Our mate Survivor's the man to ask.

He popped down the road in his lunch break to have his prostatectomy, hopped back on his bike a couple of hours later, rode back to work & carried on life like nothing happened.

Seriously, though... you'll get great information here.
Good luck.

Yes. I forgot about the food. I totally recommend fruit salad & jelly. It's all I wanted.
And load up on bottled water. You'll go through lots.

Can't speak to RP, but I had SBRT and, though I had help, if it wasn't available I would have been fine on my own. It really depends on whether you get diarrhea or not. I didn't--basically just got tired and napped in the afternoon and that was it

I had 25 sessions of radiation along with start of ADT. Was able to take care of myself at home but needed emotional support.
Many guys I know and have heard of who have had surgery end up needing radiation anyways. I suggest you do your homework and research it and talk with multiple cancer doctors - each guy's case is different. Good luck man

Since there are no Mayo's around, I'm going to Sloan Kettering. They are the best in the NYC area as far as I can tell. I'll get the news from both the radiologist and the surgeon at the end of this week since I just had the PET scan. Scan wasn't great.
Did you drive to each radiation session, or did you have a driver?

Thanks all for the prompt responses. I won't know what I'll be doing until after I meet with the doctors later this week.
Ya'll make it sound better than I thought it would be. If I take the radiation route, the Dr said that I would be getting intense internal localized radiation directly to the prostate prior to conventional treatment. I don't suspect I'll be driving home from that one as it's surgery.
Sloan is supposed to be one of the best places in the country so I don't know who could give me a decent second opinion, definitely not my local hospital group as they are totally incompetent.
Thanks again!!

You can get second opinions from other hospitals out of state. AND YOU SHOULD. Google Cancer Center of Excellence and find the list, talk to MD Anderson or Mayo or any number of others before you decide.

Sloan is a great hospital but this is YOUR life and YOU should be an advocate for how to deal with this. Please don't choose whichever plan gives you the easiest recovery, choose the one that gives you the longest life. There are lots of volunteers that will help you getting back from the hospital and into your car and those that will stop by a few times a day to check on you during that initial down period.

As someone who talked to 9 different doctors in three different fields, I cannot advocate enough for many opinions!