Post radical prostatectomy (RP) Challenges

My thoughts...don't go down "what if" rabbit holes. Wait for the test results before in depth exploration of what might happen and what to do. There are so many possibilities. If the PSA comes back not undetectable after 3-6 months (above 0.02), make sure you also connect with a medical oncologist who has expertise in prostate cancers. Surgeons may be great at surgery and post-op care, but not necessarily experts in how to manage recurrent/persistent cancer.

Don't count on the percentage. I had 5.9% chance at 10 years. 16 months after rp it came back. 35 rad treatments and radiation wrecked a lot. Good luck.

Where do you live?

Madison

So sorry you have had to go through so much radiation therapy after your RP. Definitely agree, cancer is tricky and you never know if it will come back. One of the main reasons I went with a radical prostatectomy was that it allowed for more follow-up options, if the cancer decides to come back. My doctor said I have a 20% chance for BCR over the first five years. This is all based on averages, so who knows, could be 5% like you, or could be 95%??

Take care and thanks for the reply.

Jim

It seems both he and you have a good handle on it. Yes, you are correct to look at it as the chances are much higher than it will not reoccur. I am 14 months out from my RALP with no BCR to date.

Your posts have been most helpful on this site for me. DaVinci Surgery November 8 2023. Excellent Advice on kegels, and supported by my PT friend. My pathology report was good. All margins clear. Catheter out after 12,days.
Told to drink 70-80 ounces water (2100-2400 cc) within 4 hours of removal. Quite the party flush with that. 2 very small clots only.
Took Miralax for constipation and helped that night. All in all pretty good IMO. Routine now is head for bathroom every 2 hours and stand up to urinate. Doing a kegel on way to toilet. This really helps with leakage.
Kegel routine is 10 quick ones, followed by the four second hold and four second relax. I do 10 of those. Trying to do that every hour or so trying to get 80 to 100 in for the day.
my PT friend said then work on up to the six second hold and six second relax. Working for me. Eliminates that 10-15 minute standing there with tissue as you leak. Just a few minutes wiping “leaks” before tucking backing in to Depends Grande pads.
These pads are working well. Good luck everyone.
FYI one night only in hospital with some pain there but pain has been very minimal since I’ve been home. Staples came out along with cath removal.

OT but not - we are driving about 8hrs for our surgery on 12/19. We are scheduled for over-night in the hospital.

What I've read, with 'Cathy', a recliner will be more practical than a bed.

Our hotel does not have a recliner, but our van seats recline (sans footrest) & is pretty comfortable.

What is your thoughts on driving back vs staying a night at the hotel?

71 yo, RALP in January, overnight stay in hospital, catheter for 8 days. Gleason 4+3, cancer contained. I had a 30 minute drive home, so a hotel stay wasn’t necessary.

Based on my experience, if I faced your decision, I would drive home. An overnight stay in a hotel will not make a noticeable difference in your upcoming catheterization experience, other than perhaps being better rested.

As long as you are able to stop periodically and change or empty the bag you’ll be using, you should be fine. I found that I needed to change/empty my leg bag every 1 to 2 hours, and I had an absorbent pad on the car seat ( which wasn’t really needed). An overnight bag might last the entire trip.

I was most comfortable in a slight reclining position, and slept each night on an overstuffed chair with my feet resting on an ottoman until the catheter was removed.

10 months out from the surgery, and my recovery is progressing very well. PSA remains undetectable, continence has returned, and ED is slowly disappearing.

Get a spare leg bag with straps if the hospital doesn’t give you one. It’s nice to have a spare, dry set of straps after a shower.

Good luck with your upcoming surgery - read Dr. Patrick Walsh’s book (Surviving Prostate Cancer) if you haven’t already. I found that it provided more helpful information than I was given by my urologist and team.

Jim

Thanks Jim, good info! Glad to hear you are progressing well!

Good point about stopping - yes, forgot to mention we had planned on stopping every 1hr to walk regardless - didn't think about for 'bag emptying'

New paradigm.

Also, this thread inspired me to start w/Miralax a few days B4 to keep 'things moving' & reduce chance of constipation.