More questions on recovery

Pleased to hear you feel you are recovering well after your operation. I think there are always a few niggly issues especially after such major surgery. My main problem was sluggish bowels so, as I recovered at my brother's, I always told him when I needed the loo for this as I could be a while! I also suffered from wind which continued after the brachytherapy but that eventually calmed down. I didn't have any problems with my urine and was given leaflets about pelvic floor exercises. Perhaps you could ask your CNS about both of these issues, although I imagine there will be information online about the exercises. I do like a good soak in the bath but stuck with showers during most of the expected recovery period. I think they are recommended to protect the wound. At my post op appointment my surgeon suggested bio oil for the incision, it's a natural product and quite soothing. Perfumed products aren't recommended. I hope you're able to get some physio and relief for your groin problem. A relaxing break sounds a really good idea prior your radiotherapy. Take care. 

Hi did you not receive instructions on discharge? I was advised no baths or swimming for six weeks following surgery and the same with pelvic exercises. Indeed, exercise and anything more than the lightest of household chores need to be avoided for the same time. With open surgery it might be longer.  You can shower. I would suggest calling your team or Macmillan for advice. Overall, you need to give your body time to heal. The dribbling might be linked to surgery. Again, it’s a matter of waiting for things to settle down. Radiotherapy can also effect bladder so having liners on hand is a good idea. 

Hi Jkg, definitely things to ask your CNS - I was given a leaflet re exercises by my CNS before I left hospital. I had my post op check 2 weeks post op and I asked them when I could have a bath and he told me to wait another week - so that was 3 weeks, but then again I did only have laparoscopic surgery.

Hello Jkg

Am glad you have had your staples removed- it must be so much more comfortable. 

Regarding the leaking a little urine- I would mention to your CNS and ask about pelvic floor exercises. I was told none until at least 6 weeks. It is not something that I had but it is worth talking to them about and am sure that they will be able to give some advise to improve it.

I was also told no baths until 6 weeks due to a slight risk of infection. Showers were fine. 

Hope this helps, if there is anything else you need please do ask. Hope you manage to have a break for a few days before your radiotherapy starts. With my radiotherapy there was a planning appointment and then the actual sessions didn't start for about 2-3 weeks later.

Jane

Yes, there’s definitely time to recover before radiotherapy. There’s the planning scan and then the brains do their calculations which can take a few weeks. I know that I appreciated the time. My surgery was mid March and radiotherapy started on 30 May so a fair amount of time 

My surgery was end January 2022, and my radio started second week of April - my hospital aimed to start treatment within 12 weeks, and it was about 10 weeks. 

Aye. Checking back mine started 11 weeks to the day.