Robotic surgery

Hello WifeWinnie 

I had an indwelling catheter for 10 months - the removal is painless, just "deep breath" and it's out.

Just keep it clean where it enters his penis - wash the area every day with cooled boiled water and make sure you do under the foreskin (if applicable). There will be debris so don't worry.

At night be sure to attach the bigger night bag firmly and stick it in a bucket blow the level of the bed.

Always keep two leg straps on and keep the support bands under the pipework.

Anything else just ask - it will be a strange feeling but it shouldn't be painful.

Good luck - Brian.

Hi Wife Winnie,

I thought I would respond as I am an adult (31) and recently found out about my dads diagnosis.

my dad had bloods a few weeks ago, the doctor called him and said it may be cancer with a high PSA and within a week he had an appointment with the consultant booked very shortly after. 

in the mean time he had told my mum not to tell me or my sister as I am getting married in 2 months. She told me, before his appointment as it was difficult for her not to have an outlet. 

my perspective is I’m so glad I found out and very early on as I have been able to help my parents immensely with physical and emotional support, attended his appointed, researched diet, sorted further appointments. Yes I feel shattered from the news but I would be absolutely heartbroken if I hadn’t have found out and did later on as there’s nothing worse than feeling like you could have done more to help someone or knowing the did it alone. It’s also helped finding out in stages vs being one big shock. 

this is just me and obviously you have to do what feels right for you and your family but thought it would be helpful for you to hear from a daughters perspective. 

Hope it helps x

Hi WifeWinnie.  In my experience this can be a traumatic experience.  When my catheter was removed I was equipped with a pad and asked to wait to make sure I could wee.  The upshot was I needed a fresh pad, pair of knickers and trousers.  I didn't take any wipes to clean myself up but wish I had.  I didn't need a urine bottle.  However, do prepare for OH to "gush" when he extracts himself from the car.  Indeed, standing up from a chair once at home was traumatic/embarrassing  because I hadn't been warned.  My advice would be to encourage OH to stand every 30 minutes and go to the loo.  Keep fingers crossed he makes it in time.  I don't wish to be alarmist and let's hope his experience is better than mine was.  All the best.

Hi AH

Thankyou for your reassuring reply. We got home yesterday and OH is doing amazingly well. He had a shower this morning and insisted he could manage alone. I waited outside the door and helped him to get dry. I took his dressings off, as advised by the hospital doctor. The wounds are neat and clean. They had staples as well as the stitches which shocked me at first sight but I was expecting a hole where the drain tube was and it was just another little sewn up cut. I’m very impressed.  OH chose to put a T-shirt on and not look yet. One step at a time. I went and got leg bags and the pull ups you suggested. The pharmacist was very helpful despite me having to  talk in very poor Spanish. I never expected to need to learn words such as catheter and pull ups!  OH has been up since lunchtime but being sensible and taking it easy.  All is going much better than I anticipated xx

Hi Huffies. Thank you for sharing your OHs experiences. It’s really useful to know what might occur and not be alarmed by it.  We will go prepared. Xx

Thankyou Brian. I’m really grateful to you for sharing. 10 months is a long time. 10 days must seem like nothing in comparison!  I’ve passed your comments re cleaning the penis area. OH insisted he can do it himself, and did. He’s coping really well post op.  I managed to get some Day bags today so tomorrow we will try them.  Xx

Hi CCG

Thank you so much for your long message. I’m touched that you wrote it. I have a son your age from a previous marriage.  Sorry to hear of your dads PSA result. I understand your mum being unable to keep it from you with your wedding coming up. It would have been a huge strain keeping it quiet whilst looking forward to your big day. I want to reply in more detail to you but I have to finish dinner before the football starts!  He’s up and looking forward to watching it! I will reply again. In the meantime, try not to get too stressed. Sending big hugs.

Winnie xx

Winnie - a shout out to you: you are doing so well - you deserve a medal

no, make that a full set of campaign medals ! ️  ️ 

AW

Hi Wifewinnie,

I am 10 weeks post op. Please see profile and previous posts. After my Father in Law passed with PC and never really said anything I have kept my daughters 34 & 36 fully up to speed on developments. My op went really well. The trade off on getting the cancer out is Erectile Dysfunction and Incontinence. I would recommend investigating all options for penile rehabilitation. It does feel like being proactive then. Don’t forget pelvic floor exercises the NHS Squeezy App is really helpful. All the best and this forum is so helpful.

Hi PSticks. Thanks for your message and advice. OH has the sneezy app and we started doing the exercises a couple of weeks before the op.  He’s fed up with the catheter but one week ago today he was in surgery. It’s going well. Monday he can have it taken out. Re telling our adult kids. We have 2 sets. Mine and his. He’s adamant he isn’t telling them unless he needs further treatment. They don’t live close by so they would be helpless and worry. Once he gets his pre-op results then if all is clear margins he will say nothing for now.  I will gently push him to share with them after this as it’s important for their own health. I hope you continue making good progress with the squeezies!