What lessons did I learn from my recent Prostate Cancer surgery?

Posted by soli @soli, 1 day ago

I had surgery on September 2nd and I am recovering at home. In this and upcoming discussion threads, I will share what lessons I learned from this process in hopes others might find them helpful.

The first lesson I learned - as a super-independent, single person - is that - maybe it is not absolutely necessary as many have advised - but it is very useful to accept help from family and friends who love you and even from hired help as needed. I recall this is something that @surftohealth88 advised when I posed the question in a discussion thread.
My sister who is a retired nurse inisisted on being with me the day of the surgery and the day I was released. I found her presence to be exteremely imporant both emotionally and practically. She listened with me to the barrage of dischage informations, brought me home, organized the medications and supplies in an ordelrly fashion, She checked on me daily, visited me several times, and brought me food when my appetite was restored.

In addition, I hired a home health aid to come every morning for 3 hours, help me when I am showering and changing bags, wash the used bag with alcohol, help me get dressed, clean up the floor, do laundry etc. Could I do all that by myself? Yes, of course. For example, the first morning after discharge, and before I decided to hire the home health aide, I showered by myslef, changed bags, washed the used bag, got dressed etc. but realized it was taking way too long and was too stressful , with dribbles all over the floor, things like alcohol wipes falling down etc, That is when I was convinced that - though not absolutely necessary, it will be very useful for someone to help me with chores as I recover. The aide comes daily and in addition to the chores I listed above, will drive me around to get more supplies (e.g alcohol wipes), go to grocery stores, restaurants etc. I found this extremely important for my healing process,

This is Lesson No.1. More to come in upcomeing threads.

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

retireditguy | @retireditguy | 1 day ago

Good post. Yes, I agree having some help for both practical matters and overall emotional support is a huge plus. Sounds like you've been handling it very well and adapting as you go as you figure out what you need and want. Well done. I'll be looking forward to further posts from you to hear as things progress for you. Two quick suggestions going forward: First, after the catheter came out I felt better very quickly. But I strictly followed my doctors orders about not lifting more than 10 lbs for 6 weeks, no bicycling or anything stressing the perinium, etc. It was hard to do as I was anxious to resume normal activities, but I followed my doctors orders religiously and I really think that helped my recovery. Second, don't set your expectations too high. Even though my recovery went very well, it still took a long time to really recover back to "normal". Some things just take time. I was 70 at surgery and it took me 14 months until I could say I really really felt back to normal. But along the way there were times I thought I might never get fully back to normal. For me it just took a while to figure out some things out. I remember at about 12 months I really thought I was fully continent. Then I was watching a comedian and he was so funny that at one point I had a very minor (and totally unexpected) urine release. Even though it really surprised me and I wasn't happy about it, I was able to laugh it off. That's the kind of thing I mean about not setting the expectations too high or being too hard on yourself. Best wishes.

soli | @soli | 1 day ago

Thank you so mcuh @retiredguy for sharing your experiencs so I do not set my expectation too high as my recovery moves forward. Cathether removal day is tomorrow: I am excited (liberation day from cathether:)) but I am anxious as to what comes with it. So I have already purchased and pre-positioned asorbent pads for me to wear and to put on my bed, chairs, car seat etc. Will keep you posted.

jayhall | @jayhall | 1 day ago

Thanks for the update! You seem to be doing well after your surgery! Take it slow and follow the instructions about lifting etc. Your cath should come out soon and the difference after your cath comes out is amazing. How is the swelling bruising going? Update the forum on your path report etc. Hope you get a good report and stay strong! 🙂