BobS,

Congratulations! It sounds like your spirits are high with all the good
news.

As far as the leakage problem, I don't know how generally applicable my
experience was, but here's what I remember of it. First of all, I had RRP on
May 18 with the catheter in 14 days post op. I never used pullups, my doctor
told me to bring one or two incontinence pads with me when I got the
catheter out. The first few days were sort of like what you are describing.
However, I don't recall steady leaking...mostly when I stood up, coughed,
sneezed, blew my nose, etc. Don't remember problem with showering.
Generally, if I emptied my bladder before taking a shower I don't recall any
problem with leaking while drying off.

I had to change pads three or four times a day for the first couple of weeks
or so after the catheter came out. Since they fit in the front of your
briefs with an adhesive strip to keep them in place, it's no big deal
changing them. You don't have to get completely out of whatever you're
wearing. Within about three or four weeks I was down to one pad a day. This
past weekend, I started going without a pad while around the house and
overnight. About Wednesday I decided to go without at work and did so all
day yesterday and all last night and all day today. A couple of hours ago I
decided to go without a pad to the gym for my workout. No problem. I have
about a half a package of Kroger Guards for Men available, if anyone wants
them. I'm hoping I won't need them anymore. (I'll have to see about playing
a full round of golf this weekend with a pad, although I've been changing a
dry pad for some time now.)

Whatever, YMMV (your mileage may vary). But I think you'll probably start
improving pretty rapidly. I did do the Kegel exercises some, but I actually
found that tensing the pelvic floor muscles every time I stood up, coughed,
etc. worked a lot like doing repetitions of the Kegels. Since you say you
have some degree of control so soon after the catheter was removed, I'll bet
your improvement will be dramatic.

Again, congratulations on all the good news, and keep up posted on your
progress.

*Everything is great!!! My catheter came out today (8 days after
*surgery)and I am much more comfortable. The biopsy came back on the
*removed prostate and indicated that as far as they could tell, the
*cancer was confined to the prostate and had not spread.
*
Outstanding! Great to hear!!

*Cancer was found on both sides (still a Gleason of 3+4=7). There was
*no cancer found in the lymph nodes or seminal vesicles and the
margins
*were clear (negative). The  robotic laproscopic surgery was
relatively
*easy on my body. I came home the day after surgery and did not
require
*any pain killers except regular Tylenol at home.

Again, great news to hear!

*Now I am trying to figure out how to deal with the partial lack of
*urinary control. I did Kegel exercises before surgery and have some
*degree of control even on the first day after the catheter was
*removed. So far when I am lying down or sitting down, I do not seem
to
*leak very much (I have to see what happens when I sleep tonight).

Keep up those Kegels! You're better off than I was on my first day
post release from the hosp.

*If anyone has any suggestions on the best way to handle the leakage
*and still feel clean without using many adult pullups each day, I
*would appreciate any tips. Also any suggestions on how to change
*pullups and how to dry after a shower without urinating all over
*anything would be appreciated.

I used pads and leaked for about 2 weeks. I'm yr. and half post RRP
and am +90% dry. Just minor stress leaks.

*Thanks to all of you that sent good wishes and prayers. I am sure
that
*they helped a lot!
*
*I will post more later on with a complete description of my
*"experience" to provide information for new members of the group.

Best wishes and can't wait to hear on your first post op PSA. Should
be extremely low!

Al
Please be quiet if replying via email,
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I won't even read the whole message...

BobS,

Congratulations on your clear margins, lack of pain, and very short
acquaintance with the catheter.

jimhoney

Sounds like you are doing GREAT, Bob!
Just keep working on that continence.... it will come back eventually!

All the best!
MikeH

Glad to hear the great news!!

I had my surgery on June 17th and am almost dry.  I didn't use any of the
pull-ups.  Rather, I use the Depends for Men pads.  They slide into your
underwear and hold on with an adhesive backing.  Am now down to one pad per
day.

I was initally very dry after  the cath was removed but found that within a
few weeks I was beginning to leak.  It takes time to heal completely, so
don't be too surprised or let down if you find it's a two-steps forward,
one-step back type of healing process.  From those I've spoken with, it's
quite normal.  also, keep doing the kegels - I stopped and found I leaked
more - now that I've been doing them more and more, I leak much less.

Good luck,
Sandy K.