As all have stated time is the key, patience is harder to master.
I am 63, live an extremely active life style and had RP late July, radiation was not an option for me and I am light years from where I started and this forum is amazing; the encouragement, kind words and advise that have been given are incredibly helpful. I can't thank those here enough.
I was leaking non-stop right after surgery and was very down on myself as would be expected, to be suddenly a slave to something that all take for granted was very, very tough to bare. I wore pullups 24/7 and was sedentary, never went out as every time I moved I leaked, it was emotionally brutal to say the least. But that's where this forum entered my rehab and thank God!
I work diligently on my kegels, 6 exercises twice daily. I also requested PT for kegels with bio-feedback which, I recommend, that you should so as soon as you can. Incredibly beneficial.
I walk 5 miles a day on pretty varied terrain, steep inclines and declines, I got back to it at about week 3 but very slowly, I recommend getting moving despite the fact that you will fill a pull up. I have been dry at night for 3 months or so and at this point I am completely out of pads with the exception of activities. I play golf and when I do I wear a pad in my underwear and those get continuously drier as time goes by.
When I walk I still use a pullup but I get dryer pretty much week by week, keep in mind that progress is not straight line improvement, I will echo as some have stated, you will have good days and bad days but try to stay positive and celebrate your successes!
Luckily I have relatively no issue with ED, erections are about 60% of "normal" rigidity but all sensation is normal, I am told by my PT that this will improve with use and time as well.
Please do not despair, I know how tough this process is especially at this early stage for you but you are by no means in this alone, this is a incredibly tough surgery to recover from and based on my experience significant improvement started at 4 months and I get better and better by the day. I will say this, try to get back to social activities as early as you can as long as you are comfortable as it will certainly raise your spirits. I was also an open book with folks I let them know exactly what I was experiencing and found that extremely cathartic for me and amazingly almost everyone was immensely supportive. I couldn't believe it but, in the right group, talking about it and laughing about it was almost therapeutic.
I am more than happy to answer any questions that you might have so please do not hesitate, I know that it's hard to believe at this point in your recovery but there is absolutely light at the end of the tunnel, at least based on my recent experience. Keep your chin up and try not to keep yourself from those who are dear to you, they will understand and they will support you.
Time and patience will be your healers!!
