Hello! Worried wife, so many questions!

Hello Charlottes Locks and welcome to the prostate cancer family. My husband went down the HT/RT route but we have one member whose journey with Prostatectomy is on his profile page. Click on the link I have attached for the full journey or the picture by his name for the abridged version. He is taking a step back from the forum now to 'get on with life'.

https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/prostate-cancer-forum/f/diagnosis-and-treatment/279754/post-surgery?pifragment-13906=1

There are many other going through this treatment and will probably be along to help out if you have any specific questions with it. 

ED and incontinence are the usual concerns so if you want any help with this then ask. I don't know whether your husband has been advised to do kegel exercises (pelvic floor) once the catheter is out but they can help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve recovery - there is an app you can download which tells you how to do them properly called the SQUEEZY APP.

All the best for the operation today and a speedy recovery.

Thank you Alwayshope for the link that will help us both a lot. Yes he’s been told about pelvic floor. I had to do them myself following surgery in the past. I’m sure we’ll have a giggle when I’m  coaching him!
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Thank you for the best wishes. I’ve just heard he’s first on the list which is good. 

Good Morning Charlotte (Charlottes Locks) 

Another warm welcome to the Macmillan Online Prostate Community although I am sorry to meet you here - I am Brian one of the Community Champions here on the Community.

First off I wish your husband well with his operation and hopefully a speedy full recovery - I don't know if he will be fit for Wimbledon but that's a target to aim for!!

He should be home from hospital possibly later today but more realistically on Saturday all being well. He should be discharged with a full set of notes telling him how to behave once he returns home - but no heavy lifting for a good couple of months.

I haven't been down the surgery route but plenty on here have so any specific questions you have ask away, you will get answers. Here's a link to a cracking post about "pads" posted a few months ago you may find useful.

 RE: Pads and what you need to know 

If I can do anything else for you please don't hesitate to let me know.

Best wishes - Brian.

Hi Charlotte,

First of all I hope all goes well today and the hospital should give you advice on how to cope with the next few weeks.  From my own experience I would offer these insights.

He should be in hospital for 1 or 2 nights and for when he is released I would suggest you take him some comfortable clothes, particularly a pair of loose fitting joggers.  He'll be fitted with a catheter which the hospital will tell you how to use and keep clean.  The major thing you need to be aware of is that he may experience a reaction to the general anaesthetic.  To put it politely, I had a reduction in cognitive function for a few days; my wife probably thought I'd gone senile.  But we're all different.

After 1 or 2 weeks the catheter will be removed and you need to be prepared as some level of incontinence is more than likely.  Based on my own experience I posted about the use of pads which may be helpful  

 https://community.macmillan.org.uk/cancer_types/prostate-cancer-forum/f/general/275544/pads-and-what-you-need-to-know 

I found two things in particular made me leak; standing up and leaning against a surface.  My solution to the first was to first kneel on one knee and then stand.  With practice it became one motion.  The key thing is not to let it get him down and learn to laugh about it (people should not tell him jokes for obvious reasons).

Recovery is a journey for both of you and take one step at a time, don't look too far ahead.  Be positive.  Any problems on the way just get in touch.  Good luck.

How did you get and paste that link to my pads post? I struggled even to get the URL.

Good Morning Huffies 

First off thank you for your continued support on the Community - it's vey much appreciated.

I keep a record of all the posts I tend to use in the future. The one's I have used previously I just copy (ctrl +C) and paste (ctrl + V) and they come up as an Hyperlink.

The other way to do it is copy as normal (ctrl + C) then click on "Insert" at the bottom of the page. Click on link (or ctrl +K). When the Insert Link box opens, Paste your link into the URL box (ctrl + V), clear the Text to Display Box and add the name of the link "Pads" and then click on OK.

I am a 69 year old computer nerd  and I have had my training on the Community Champions course so it's thanks to them my posts are "tidy".

I hope this helps.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thank you Millibob. 

I was told when I dropped him off he will definitely be in overnight. 

Thank you for the link. The support and help is wonderful on this forum. 

Hello my OH diagnosed as T2b had protestomy 3 years ago changed to T3b NoMO Gleeson 7 after op.  Recovery was good and dealt with the initial incontinence well.  Religiously did the pelvic floor exercises and completely in control of his  bladder by 6 months only up once during the night.  ED still a problem but there is help available.  2 years all ok but unfortunately PSA level rising again so looks like HT/RT going to be required but a5 least we have a second line of defence.

I hope all goes OK just keep positive and try to enjoy everyday

HiCharlottes Locks ,

you could have been speaking about my OH . He was diagnosed in March 2024 and after a lot of issues he eventually saw an oncologist in July . He wasn’t suitable for surgery due to where the lymph node was situated . He is on hormone treatment and recently He walked 10 miles every day until he injured his leg on 29th December . He goes out on two crutches and managed a good few miles yesterday but was shattered afterwards.  No serious illness , never had surgery too . 

Hope  husband has a speedy recovery and no doubt he will be same as mine stubborn and trying to get back to normal .

take care & feel free to ask questions as this group are amazing and has kept me going during hard times 

Best wishes 

Liz & OH xxx

Hello Huffies

Thank you so much for your reply. It’s helped to hear from someone who’s had this procedure. 

Yes,  we’ve already been told about the catheter and he’s already booked in by the hospital on the 27th for his trial without catheter.

I’ll order some pads ready. Humour has helped us through the last 7 months a lot. I’ve already told him I’m looking forward to coaching him on pelvic floor!