After Prostate Surgery

Work - and Other Things - After Prostate Cancer Surgery

From Trevor Machin in County Durham

Well, here I am again: I am now 6 months post op. I am back to work now and have been for a few weeks. All is still going well. I do not regret my decision to have the radical surgery one bit.
All my worst nightmares were not founded, although there were and are things that change forever.

Physically I am doing very well: my waterworks are 98% back to normal. My ability to perform is doing very well too!! Obviously not the same as previous and I am not able to be too graphic on here, but I can honestly tell whoever reads this that if you are lucky enough to keep at least one set of nerve endings then with a little help from a pill you will eventually with patience have a satisfying time.

I was quite nervous for a while about going back to work after being off for a total of five months. I need not have worried. I was given a staggered start back to work before I went on to full time. This was very useful.

My colleagues at work without exception were superb. I was able to do my job without being treated any differently to anyone else. My return was monitored, and while I hadn't forgotten anything major to do with my job the only thing that had changed was in fact me.

I still do my work the same but I feel different. Not because of the surgery, I think it is the big "C" that makes you look at things in different way. Things that would have been possibly irritating before now just wash over. I feel more relaxed generally. Possibly this a relief type of reaction, if that makes sense.

So guys, whatever your age and if your diagnosis is the same as mine you can rest assured there is hope, lots of it. You will get over everything. Be positive, ask what you don't understand. There is nothing the medical staff hasn’t heard before.

Make sure that any information that you read is relevant to you. Some things cover a general situation.

I have done well to get to where I am today and I am proud of my recovery to date.

After your Surgery:

• You may get tired more easily. You will need to rest. Remember, you just

had surgery. It will take some time before you are back to yourself.

• You may have some soreness in the area where your stitches or staples are.

You will have medicine to help you take away your pain. It is important for

you to take the medicine as directed.

• Your scrotum (the muscular sac, which contains your testicles) this area

may be uncomfortable and swollen. Your scrotum and penis may also be

bruised. We will tell you later on in this booklet how you can help lower the swelling.

• If you have not had a bowel movement before leaving the hospital. There are

things that you can do to help you have a bowel movement. We will talk

about these things later in this booklet.

• Your catheter will still be draining urine from your bladder. You will be

given drainage bags for your catheter before you leave the hospital. You will

be given directions on how to take care of your catheter before you leave the

hospital.

If you have any questions as you heal from your surgery, ask your doctor or nurse

case manager.

Are There Things I Should Remember When I Get Home?

There are some things that you should remember to do when

you get home from your surgery that will help with your

recovery.

1. If you have stairs, it is best not to go up and down stairs more than 1or 2

times a day while you have a catheter. Before you come downstairs in the

morning, think about what you will need during the day and bring it with

you. Try to plan your day so that you use the stairs as little as possible. You

will only need to do this for about 2 weeks.

2. You will not be able to lift anything heavier than 5 pounds, which is about

the weight of a big telephone book for 2 to 3 weeks.

3. Remember, you will also get tired easier. Give yourself time to rest. Take

naps or rest periods.

Your Surgical Wound

It is important that the area around your surgical wound stays clean. You should

follow the directions you get from your doctor or nurse on how to care for your

surgical wound before you leave the hospital. Make sure to check with your doctor

or nurse case manager to find out if you can get your incision wet when you take a

bath or shower.

Your Bowel Movements

If you have not had a bowel movement before leaving the hospital, you will need

to have a bowel movement within a day or 2 after you get home. Constipation or

being unable to have a bowel movement can make you feel very uncomfortable. If

you are constipated there are some simple things that may help.

• Drink more fluids, at least eight, 8-ounce glasses of water a day. A

glass of warm liquid when you first get up in the morning may start

your bowels moving.

• Add more fiber to your diet. Fibers is found in whole grains, such as

bran muffins and cereals, wheat germ, and whole wheat bread, fresh

fruits and vegetables, and prunes or prune juice.

• Eat fewer fatty foods (like fried fish, fried chicken, french fries or

high fat milk products).

• Increase your daily exercise. Even a daily walk can help relieve

constipation. See the part in this booklet called “When Can I Start

Doing the Things I Usually Do?” for more information on when you

can start exercising.

• Try not to push hard during bowel movements. By not pushing hard,

you will lower your chance of getting hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids

are swollen or inflamed veins around your anus or lower rectum that

can hurt and bleed.

• Talk to your doctor about taking an over-the-counter medication or

fiber laxative, such as Metamucil, to help you have a bowel movement.

• Talk to your doctor and nurse case manager about medicines you can

take to help you have a bowel movement. Do not put anything in

your rectum like a suppository or enema without checking with your doctor.

Your Comfort

During your first few days home, it may be hard for you to find a position that makes it easy for you to sit or sleep. You may have to try many positions to see which one works the best for you.

A lot of men find that sitting or sleeping in a reclining chair is best for them. If you use a reclining chair, you need to make sure that your catheter is placed in such a way that it will not get pulled. Remember, your catheter drainage bag should be kept lower than your bladder so that your urine can drain into the bag.

Are There Side Effects with Prostate Cancer Surgery?

Yes, there can be side effects or unwanted changes in your body after your prostate cancer surgery. Side effects are different from person to person. Some men have side effects that may last for a short period of time. Others may have side effects that last for a longer period of time or forever. The good news is that there are ways to deal with most of the side effects.