Hi all

Hello Oscarcharlie 

A warm welcome to our "exclusive club".

I can fully understand how you feel - whatever treatment journey you are on there are some dynamic changes to both your physical and mental health and just sometimes although it's great to have a partner - you just need someone else to unwind to.

I find the "family" on here are both the people who have "been there and done that" or the partners of someone who's on the Prostate Cancer journey but will not or doesn't want to talk about their issues. It's only those people who fully understand whats going on.

I hope your surgery went well and you don't have too many side effects and problems - on a personal note I am on the HT/RT route so although I know about surgery - well I haven't been there. You can read my PC journey by clicking on the icon of the beach.

Please feel free to post any questions you may have, however trivial - you can discuss anything you want here from dribbling to erectile dysfunction and someone will have answers- or ideas how to help.

Best wishes and thanks for posting - Brian.

Hi Oscar Charlie, how are things going afterward the surgery?

I am due to have the same soon and obviously not relishing the prospect but coming to see that it has to be done. Keep posting and in touch as we have to support each other.

Best wishes. Barnman 

Hi Barnman, Its been 16 weeks since my surgery and I'm doing really well. I've had two blood tests since and my results for both have been 0.05 which is good and I have another on the 18th December. As for your surgery and recovery make sure you download the squeezy man app onto your mobile and maybe start doing the exercises before your op to strengthen your pelvic floor which will massively help the incontinence your going to go through after catheter is removed. But don't worry about it cause it will get better sooner if you do the exercises. I'm almost dry now and yesterday was my first day without needing a pad, although I am still going to wear them mainly when I'm walking my dog or going for a drink. Also I bought a mattress protector from argos and I'm glad I did cause one night my catheter pipe became disconnected from the pipe off the bag and I woke up wet and feeling like a child again, but the mattress was saved and I made sure they were connected properly after that. I feel for me now that when my erections return I will be back to normal and if they don't. Well at least I'm alive and healthy. If there is a way for me to pass on my mobile number to you privately on here I'm more than happy to talk to you and answer any further questions about my experience you might want to ask. 

Hiya Brian,  thanks for your reply and sorry I haven't been on here for a while. My only issue is erectile dysfunction now and really it's still early days. So for me being patient hopefully is the key to full recovery and not put pressure on myself. How are you doing with your treatment?

John 

Hi Oscarcharlie, many thanks for the detailed response. Very much appreciated indeed. I am already starting the exercises but go to the app now. Just waiting for the next appt with consultant so will keep in touch. Best regards BM

I don't know how old you are, but if your under 60 make sure you ask for a medical exemption certificate, so any prescriptions you might need are free. Keep in touch 

That's great news Oscarcharlie. Also a good reminder about pelvic floor exercises, not just for those having a prostatectomy but also those undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy or having flow problems. A mattress protector has been invaluable for us as well - good job for raising it. During chemotherapy my husband went through a bad spell which really upset him as it escaped the pull up pants and he wasn't aware of it until too late so a spare mattress protector was invaluable.

I hope you go on to a full recovery soon.

Good advice but I'm over 60. Looking at threads you can get access passes to avoid certain queues and also for a partner as a carer! 

Cheers BM 

Good Morning John

Many thanks for the reply - almost 4 months after the operation and the only issue being erectile dysfunction - that's quite amazing ! I am very pleased for you - let's hope the feelings begin to return soon! A constant low PSA is a result too!

I am now 24 months into my 36 months HT/RT journey (I have my penultimate 6 monthly HT injection later today!) and to be honest I am pretty good. The erectile dysfunction was an issue at first but to be honest with you me and Mrs Millibob have found other ways to show affection and have grown even closer during this period!

Cracking point about the mattress protector - I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months and one night managed to disconnect my day and night bags in my sleep - cue quick intervention from Mrs Millibob!! 

If you wish to exchange your mobile number with another forum member, the way to do it is send him/her a "friend request". Once he accepts this you will be able to "private message" one another. The other alternative is for both of you to go to "settings" and make your personal mailbox open to anyone.

I hope things get fully back to normal soon - keep in touch your input is very much of value.

Best wishes - Brian.