The Cancer Survivors Network (CSN) is a peer support community for cancer patients, survivors, caregivers, families, and friends! CSN is a safe place to connect with others who share your interests and experiences.

Thank you for being a part of the Cancer Survivor Network community. Survivors and caregivers like you have played a unique role in fostering an online environment that encourages connection among those needing support, community, and education. On May 28, the Network will be discontinued. More details are available here . If you have any questions, contact CSNSupportTeam@cancer.org. Thanks again for the support you’ve provided each other over the years. We remain committed to supporting you in other ways throughout your cancer journey.

3-month Update

TurtBean
TurtBean CSN Member Posts: 23 Member
in Prostate Cancer #1

Today is three months since I and my prostate decided to go our separate ways, and coincidentally, my first post-op PSA check.

Incontinence is still an issue, but I’ve seen some improvement, mostly overnight. I can sleep around 3-1/2 hours before first getting woken up with the feeling of a full bladder, and I’m getting up twice a night. Also, I’m no longer emptying my bladder as soon as I stand up from the bed - I can calmly walk to the bathroom across the hall and use the bathroom in the usual manner.

I'm also using fewer guards, just one overnight, and worn in regular underpants. Compared to just a month or so ago, where I was getting up every two hours, four times a night, peeing my pants immediately, and going through four guards a night, I think that’s some good progress.

Daytime hours are also improved, just not nearly as much. Overall, though, I’m using half as many guards as before.

Onto the PSA report - happy to say, my first PSA came back as <0.04, or undetectable. That’s great news, and I’m building on that. Next one in three months.

Onward!

Like Care

Comments

  • capecodder
    capecodder CSN Member Posts: 60 Member
    #2
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/330101/3-month-update

    Sounds like a good update and progress. 3 months seems like a long time but you seem to be on top of it! Great news on undetectable score!


    I go for my void trial tomorrow and hopefully lose catheter, even though I am not looking forward to all the leaking…

    1Like Care
  • TurtBean
    TurtBean CSN Member Posts: 23 Member
    #3

    @capecodder - thanks, and let us know how the catheter removal goes.

    1Like Care
  • capecodder
    capecodder CSN Member Posts: 60 Member
    #4
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726763#Comment_1726763

    Providing some details from my procedure yesterday to hopefully help anyone approaching this event.
    The removal itself was no big deal, with just a short amount of pressure. Biggest part is the “void trial” when before the removal, the nurse filled my bladder with 300 ml of saline through the catheter, then when I felt the urge to pee, she took it out and I peed more that 300 ml, so the plumbing worked. If a man is not able to void most of the pee, the trial fails and they may have to put the catheter back in. I do not think many fail. Now I have to learn how to manage my urination again. All the core and pelvic floor exercises I did prior to surgery seem to have helped so far as I have some leakage in the first 18 hours, but not too bad. I did have to get up 4 times overnight to pee, so my body is not sure yet. Since I no longer have an enlarged prostate, my stream is full and powerful, like being 18 again! 

    1Like Care
  • Wheel
    Wheel CSN Member Posts: 298 Member
    #5

    capecodder,

    You and keninidaho are both days apart in catheter removal andand Mozir, a little over three weeks ago.

    Like Care
  • Wheel
    Wheel CSN Member Posts: 298 Member
    #6

    and with Turtbeans surgery3 months ago alot of surgeries in the last few months. This site was so good in sharing recovery stories and helping people make the surgery decision if that was what they were considering.

    1Like Care
  • capecodder
    capecodder CSN Member Posts: 60 Member
    #7
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726767#Comment_1726767

    @Wheel I agree. This site has been so valuable! So sorry to see it be discontinued. Thanks for your helpful tips and support!

    Like Care
  • MACH1
    MACH1 CSN Member Posts: 17 Member
    #8

    I passed the pee test three times and the next day had to go to ER for catheters. Ended up getting a supra pubic catheter that stayed in for 4 months while my urethra healed. All ok now but due to the incision I now look like I have two navels!

    Like Care
  • capecodder
    capecodder CSN Member Posts: 60 Member
    #9
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726770#Comment_1726770

    @MACH1 sorry you had to go through that trial. I have been blessed so far 9 days into my recovery.

    Like Care
  • MACH1
    MACH1 CSN Member Posts: 17 Member
    #10
    https://csn.cancer.org/discussion/comment/1726771#Comment_1726771

    I was OK or the first couple of weeks after my brachytherapy but then it started to hit the fan. Looking back on it all I wish they hd kept the catheter in after the brachytherapy but I passed that pee test before they let me go home. Who knows? Just glad it's over. I'll get a 9 month PSA at the end of my to see how it's all going. So fr my PSA has dropped by 50% each time I've had it checked so on track for pretty much undetectable after the first year.

    2Like Care

Discussion Boards