Introduction to the Group

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Hello everyone, my name is Brad and I'm 62 years old. I had Robot assisted radical prostatectomy 3 weeks ago with a catheter for one week. As every man is scared of removing the prostate I felt is was my best option since the cancer had not spread outside the prostate and doing radiation meant surgery in future years could be problematic. So now I am dealing with leakage but I think it's getting a bit better each day. Kegels probably 8 or more times a day seems to help. I wear diapers and honestly I don't love it but they make you feel more confident. As I read this forum it will no doubt take 6 months or longer for the leakage to stop. I just have to be patient. I tell myself I did what was right for me and I wanted the cancer out and to be cancer free. So if I have to endure 6 months with leakage so be it. I want to be along for the long haul is how I view it. So far this forum is very helpful and just confirms we are not along. I'm very glad I found it!

Thanks everyone!

 

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Welcome and good luck.

 

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Welcome Bradtom. I think that you'll find that everyone here is happy to be of assistance. We share our stories and, try to be as helpful as possible. Don't be reluctant to discuss whatever concerns you. I'm sure you'll find a sympathetic ear. Again, it's nice to have you on the forum.

Regina

 

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Welcome. I’m 56 and it took a year to be 99% dry. After 6 months it was just 1 light pad a day but I had to have it. You’ll find out everyone is different, but kegals are supposed to help. Good luck.

 

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Unfortunately this I what we have to endure with removing our prostate.Although you made the right desicion as I did as well.We are alive,and things could be differentif we hadn't.I myself was as lucky and became permanently incontinent Welcome aboard you will get as much advice and stories you couldn't imagine.Continue doing your keagals it takes time and patience..Good lk in your recovery.

 

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Thank you everyone for being so positive. Being patient is critical, it will get better!

 

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Welcome, I am 76 years old, had robotic assisted RP 5 months ago and am also 99% dry using one light pad per day. I had started Kegel exercises 6 weeks before surgery and have continued them 4 times a day after surgery and will continue indefinitely.

Hang in there as this is a slow and steady process.

 

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Welcome. I’m 59 and incontinent from injuries in a car crash

 

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BillVt, thank you for your reply. In the short time I've been doing them I see a difference. The key as you said is to hang in there and be patient.

 

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Welcome Brad. I’m 76 and had RP 3 months ago. Still leaking >500ml/day but doing Kegels and hoping it slows down. Almost dry at night. Good luck!

 

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One other thing I wanted to mention is that my progress did not seem to be linear.
Every once in a while, it seemed to get slightly worse for a day or so and then start moving forward again.

 

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Welcome. You seem to have a good understanding about the usual postop recovery issues and time. This too shall pass.
I read a recent article in the New York Times about watchful waiting versus surgery. All of us understood the options and chose surgery knowing the risks and complications. The article noted that there was not much difference in life expectancy since most will have something other than the prostate cancer take their lives. I get it but they acknowledged that there were more metastases in the watchful group. I would rather have the surgery and take my chances to reduce the chance of dealing with bone and other site metastases. And this is coming from a surgeon.
This too shall pass. Look back in 6 months and things will look a lot better.

 

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Welcome Bradtom from sunny Northern Ireland. I too had radical prostatectomy for stage 2 prostate cancer, Gleason score of 7. It can be an emotional journey with ups and downs. I wish you well with your recovery.

 

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I’m 57 and almost 8 months post RP. Had bad incontinence for about 3 months (6-7 pads/day) but now down to one pad per day. I am very active so kegels often get missed but I do try to do them. Hang in there. It will get much better.

 

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Welcome Bradtom, I think you came to the right place! You’ll hear all kinds of stories of how this tremendous group of people found themselves here. You’ll rarely hear pity, instead you’ll get a heaping helpin of support, advice and whatever else we can offer to help you on your journey
I lost all bowel & bladder control in an instant at 27 y/o when an 80,000 lbs gravel truck decided to use me and my brand new convertible as a stopping block! It took a couple of years to regain bowel control, but after that the bladder stuff seemed like a walk in the park…
Everything in our lives is relative, it took over 30 surgeries in the 1st 2 years to put Humpty Dumpty back together again, and I still average about a surgery a year 30 years later lto fix something that has come apart, but I have lived and do live a tremendous life!
Everybody has a different rate of healing, as much as a different expectation of this life. Just be patient and keep working at it, it’ll come back. A big mistake many make is putting their lives on hold until they’re back.
My suggestion is to live every moment to the fullest, the busier you are the less time to focus on the negative. As disruptive as this condition
may be, none of know when there’s a gravel truck heading our way!

 

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Welcome. You will find many previous posts on the topic of prostatectomy if you use the “search” (magnifying glass) function, and click on “all” for the full history of prostatectomy posts. Thanks for introducing yourself.

 

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Sprung87, what great positive energy you bring to the forum. I love your outlook and yes we must live every moment to the fullest. I totally agree with keeping busy, I still work and that keeps me going. As my mother used to say "this to shall pass".

 

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Runningbarend,

Thank you for your message it actually brought tears to my eyes, and I'm at work I had to get hold of myself. I agree with you that surgery was my best option.

 

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Thank you Snow for the info on the search button I will try that.

 

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Welcome to the forum! I myself don’t comment a lot, but the information that gets shared here is very helpful. I truly hope you can find comfort in the stories and support that you find here. I am nearing 1 year since RP surgery and I do have no control of my bladder. I have met with a urologist to schedule a surgery for AUS. I will be waiting until October to be on Medicare for financial reasons but am still doing kegals and hoping the results will get better. I feel like the important thing is to not give up hope and live life to the fullest. We’re still here with our loved ones…life is good…and God is great!