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

Posted by bonanzaman @bonanzaman, 5 days ago

Hi, I'll need to make a decision on whether to take radiation or remove the prostate.
If I get the prostate removed, how long before I can be on my own?
If I get radiation, can I deal with the recovery without 24hr help?
Looks like I'm going to be on a hopefully long journey with an unknown outcome.
Thanks Dave

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Prostate Cancer Support Group.

1st, I concur that the best treatment decision should be made; and not based on the recovery concerns.
Of course, easy for me to say.
After RP, I clearly needed a ride home. And I was able to be pretty independent from day 1.
However, at age 72, I was blessed by a very successful and noneventfull recovery.
And certainly I would recommend having someone available the first 1 - 3 days, for safety and comfort.
I spent most of my recovery time in the recliner. I was walking 20 mins (5 min intervals) in the house a day or 2 after RP. And, a personal favorite was Kodiak brand pancakes, which I would nibble on in the recliner.
My understanding is that RT is not generally debilitating, but again I had surgery.
Sloan has an excellent resume and there are other COEs in the NY/NJ area.
If you can put assistance aside, focus on the "best for you" treatment decision, whether it be RP or RT.
Best wishes.

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@bonanzaman

Just got a nice Trek DS3 bike this past year. It's awesome, hoping I'll be able to use it this season whether or not I get surgery or radiation. Might has your opinion on seats when it comes to that.

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It's called "The V Seat", a bit expensive, but I've read nothing but rave reviews on it. Apparently it was on that show Shark Tank (never seen it but know what it is) and has been very successful.

I struggled with perineal pain, and my wife with similar pain, with a variety of seats after even just 20-30 minutes riding - my sit bones just never relieved enough pressure - so this seat would have been something I wanted even without the prostatectomy.

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@bonanzaman

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?

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Regarding driving to RT sessions, depends on what type of radiation session(s) you're getting. Mine was external radiation which allowed me to get in and out within 15 mins and had no problem driving myself. My clinic provided free valet service. Tipped them well so my car was right there and didn't need to find parking spot while holding a full bladder. On the other hand, my younger brother who also has PCa had seeds implanted and that required him to have someone drive him. By the way my older brother also has PCa. Think it runs in the family.

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@pcrich

Regarding driving to RT sessions, depends on what type of radiation session(s) you're getting. Mine was external radiation which allowed me to get in and out within 15 mins and had no problem driving myself. My clinic provided free valet service. Tipped them well so my car was right there and didn't need to find parking spot while holding a full bladder. On the other hand, my younger brother who also has PCa had seeds implanted and that required him to have someone drive him. By the way my older brother also has PCa. Think it runs in the family.

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Thanks. My dad had PC and lived maybe 30 years, brother has it but it's mild and mine which is not good. Does run in the family, unfortunately.
Regards

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@survivor5280

It's called "The V Seat", a bit expensive, but I've read nothing but rave reviews on it. Apparently it was on that show Shark Tank (never seen it but know what it is) and has been very successful.

I struggled with perineal pain, and my wife with similar pain, with a variety of seats after even just 20-30 minutes riding - my sit bones just never relieved enough pressure - so this seat would have been something I wanted even without the prostatectomy.

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Thanks. I'll look into it if I need it. Finally bought a decent bike and hopefully I'll be able to use it.

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