Recovery from radical cystoprostatectomy

It has been a while since I engaged with this site. This is because there was little to report beyond my previous postings. I will update and hope this will be of some benefit to anyone facing the prospect of bladder removal surgery particularly.

The operation was carried out robotically on 21 February, 2019, about 13 weeks ago. I left hospital on day 5 and have recovered well generally apart from minor problems with a superficial wound infection. I have a urostomy bag which has been very easily adapted to and is manageable. The surgery was successful in clearing the cancer 'to the margins', to use the phrase. The pathology confirmed that I had carcinoma in situ within the bladder (G3pT1) and a tumour in the prostatic urethra (G3pT2) constituting locally advanced spread. There was an incidental finding of low-grade prostate cancer (Gleeson 6). It seems that all has been cleared. The surgeon assured me that the option to have this form of treatment in my case was the more effective one given BCG immunotherapy as the alternative. Research suggests that this kind of surgery may be deemed to be over-treatment in some cases. 

I have returned to swimming three times/week, walking for 45 mins/day and am intending to resume martial arts (Taekwondo). I live in hope that the disease is gone in its entirety. My outlook in life has shifted. To use a term borrowed in part from the mindfulness literature I endeavour to 'claim my experience' rather than let it claim me. I have just read Michael Singer's "The Untethered Soul, the journey beyond yourself" which I realise might not be a book for everyone. 

I hope that this is of some use to someone out there. I am really happy to answer any questions I can about the experience.

Best wishes 

Ludwig