Home & recuperating

[Louise6]

Hi everyone, Well my other half had his surgery on Aug. 8th. After a delay from June. Put aside the nausea and some pain he did pretty good. Even though he had some reservations about the catheter he has adjusted well to it. He did have some problems with the incision draining ( we weren't warned about that) and what they called "bladder spasms" ( the dr. put him on detrol la) The dr. told us everything looked good and he took out the lymph nodes. So, it doesn't look like it went there. Confined to the prostrate. Our question now is--- He goes Monday to have the cath removed. Is there anything he needs to know about the procedure? Such as (pain relievers) etc.? I know that sounds weird after going thru surgery,etc. But, being prepared helps. Thanks for any advice. One day at a time is how we're dealing with this.

[doj]

The removal of the catheter is virtually painless. He'll need some pads to wear home, but the doctor will probably give him a couple, and recommend what you will need to purchase. The first few days/weeks, he'll use several per day, and that will decrease over time. It varies from person to person as to how long it will take to regain continence. I had my surgery in March, 05 and didn't get to stop the pads until October...others can quit in just a few weeks. Hopefully your husband will be one of those! I'm glad that the surgery went well, and hopefully the recovery will be quick and trouble free!
doj

[adgetter2]

I agree with doj, cath removal is a breeze. Mine was out in a split second. Pads will probably be necessary. I use the Serenity pads specifically for men after prostate surgery. My surgery was in Mar. 06. Used 5 - 6 pads a day for a few weeks. Now down to 1 a day. Tell your guy to be patient. There will be days when he'll feel frustrated and helpless, but it DOES GET BETTER!
Kegel excercises helped quite a bit, your dr. should describe those if he/she hasn't already. Have you gotten the post-op path report yet? Let us know how that went and on the incontinence progress. Take care and God Bless.

[Louise6]

Thanks "doj" and "adgetter2" for your replies. Hearing from others really helps. At the last unscheduled visit ( for the leaking of the urine) the dr. stated the lymph nodes were negative. Tomorrow we'll get a more detailed report. He was told about the exercises, thanks for that info. Will keep you up to date on his progress. I check back to the board a few times a day to keep informed, we've had more help here than anywhere else. Sometimes the medical profession only gives you bits and pieces. We prefer to know as much as we can. Its as if they don't think you can handle it or they prefer you to rely on them for it all-----I call it "The God" syndrome. Anyway one small step at a time.

[Louise6]

Well, everything went okay yesterday at the drs. the cath. removal was easy. The only down side to it was after the nurse removed the cath & told my husband "your all done" he went to stand up and everything "let loose"! Not expecting it my husband was embarrassed, and then the nurse (a male no less) stated " oh, it shot out huh"? "It will do that". Man, i was so pissed!! Why, didn't "he" at least warn us? Are all the "professionals" that deal with cancer treat their patients like this? From the dr. to the receptionist the whole office is like that!!!! Anyway, he'll go for his PSA test just before his next appt. which is on the 18th of Sept. Keeping our fingers crossed. Sorry, for the venting.