Great news Chuck!  The stories continue almost like carbon copies,
regarding the robotic RRP.  I too, had the robotic procedure
12/15/2003 and the first week I literally lived in my recliner, with
the cath. strapped to my leg.  After that it was time for Christmas
and was basically on the go since then.  I was driving a bull dozer at
the end of the 2nd week (Dr. probably didn't want to know about that).
Now at 7 months, I wear a lite days pad to catch a possible few drips
a day and usually will wear the same pad for 2 days.  (Don't want it
to stink).  ED still shows no sign, but I am hoping for the return.
Again, great news and take care of yourself so there are no
complications.

MrBill
age at diagnosis 48
PSA 1.4
Gleason 3+3=6
T2a
12 cores, 5 right positive, 1 left positive
robotic RRP 12/15/03
PSA 4/2/04, 7/14/04 = <.1
age 49

July 31, 2004
Arlington, TX

Several hours after my catheter was removed, I met the doc for a post-op
follow-up.  When he asked how I was doing, I mentioned that I had been walking
every day since Friday after the operation.  He commented that walking is good
and that those patients that do a lot of it seem to have stronger lower abs and
do well at regaining continence.

For at least six weeks prior to the surgery, I had been walking 4-5 times a
week, for 3-4 miles, each morning.  Thursday and Friday of this week, I was
back up to 3 miles.  Why mention all this?

Well, 15 minutes after catheter removal I was shoe shopping and had two small
'squirts' of less that 1/2 tsp each.  An hour later, I had another.  Since
then, none!  I'm wearing a large pad, and change it daily, but only because
it's the sanitary thing to do...not because it's too wet.  For the amount of
leakage I've had, I could still be wearing the first one I put down my shorts.
Why?

I truely believe that all my walking played a major factor.  (I also took no
pain meds after leaving the hospital...not even an aspirin).  Other factors
that I'm sure helped were my surgeon's skill, the robot's precision,
Irish/beginner's luck, and a lot of prayer from friends and family.  In fact,
these may have been more important than the walking, but walking is something
that I can directly control and it makes sense that it should help.

Chuck Flanagan

Pre-op                                Post-op
 PSA 12.3                            Too Soon to Tell
 Stage T1c                           T3a (Some capsular penetration)
 Gleason 6 (3+3)                   6 (3+3)

Robotic RP 7/21/04 (10 days ago)
Catheter out 7/28/04 (3 days ago)