RC - Stairs

Hi Leo1 

My surgery was more than just the RC and not robotic, but when I was discharged I was using the stairs multiple times a day-my bedroom is upstairs as is the main bathroom. I needed the bannisters to hold onto, but it’s good exercise for the old legs! To be honest, I never considered locating myself downstairs as we don’t have the space.

Sarah xx

I know the stay in hospital is usually shorter with robotic, but also that means mobility should be better. With open surgery, my hosp required being able to walk a certain distance & stairs before going home.  Although I hardly walked at all all week, on the last day I managed down the ward and up/down a flight of stairs. 

You may well need to go slowly, holding on, but should be OK. Good exercise! To avoid having to go up & down too much during the day, have a bag/backpack you can carry about with essentials - drink, snacks, book, phone etc. 

I did have a pillow to help be comfortable sitting on the sofa & for napping during the day. A stool to sit on while drying after a shower is helpful. You may find reaching high/low difficult, so you may want to relocate some items. Assuming your knees are OK, you can squat (may need to hold on to worktop), rather than bend down, to reach low objects. 

Hi Leo,I live in a 4 floor house and at the time of the cystectomy my room was right at the top.I moved down a level for the first couple of weeks as it made sense to sleep next door to the shower and loo.I was very wobbly and weak for the first couple of days.I managed the stairs but my sister was there in case I needed help.I definitely needed the bannisters.The stairs were good exercise and I had to go up and down a lot as the kitchen is on the lower level.I was home alone after a week and a half and managed well though I had to take things slowly.Love Jane x

Relocating items is a good idea.My sister left out all the non perishable foods at a height I could reach without bending.I used a perching stool in the shower which was helpful.

Wishing you all the best for your RC.  Usually the hospital will assess your ability to manage stairs and moving around in a house and may provide you with a walking frame on loan if necessary.  One bit of advice if you have difficulty reaching your feet: Cut your toenails before the RC!  Although I did not have RC, being weak after discharge and also having arthritis in my hips meant it was a devil of a job - and the damned things seemed to grow faster as well. 

That is a good idea.I managed to cut mine before the op and was glad.I also did all the jobs I thought I would not be able to manage post op.That kept me occupied which meant I had less time to worry about the forthcoming surgery.