By Markus Jager
I am 56, in reasonably good shape and health. My prostate cancer was found early and my histology report after the op came back clean. Right now, I am waiting for my 6-week PSA blood test next week. During the past five weeks I have steadily improved with minor setbacks. The setbacks remind me that this recovery actually requires me to be actively involved rather that just letting it happen.
It was a scary journey in the beginning. Now I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Remember, you are not alone in this. In my first post [on the Cape Town prostate cancer support group], I questioned why there are so few positive remarks. I found the answer in myself. If things go well, you forget about the group very quickly. With this in mind I’m documenting my past few weeks of progress and what bits worked for me.
Talking about the ‘dreaded dribble’ and incontinence pads
In the beginning, every move I made, caused some leakage. Get up, it leaks. Sit down, it leaks. Stretch to get a glass out of the shelf, it leaks. Bend over, to tie your shoes, it leaks. You get the drift.
On the topic of pads: What an uncomfortable experience! I am sure that whoever designed these things, has never used them. I tried different ones, but there is nothing on the market that I found that was comfortable and worked the way I would want it to work.
Eventually I decided to cut the flat pad in half. At least this removed the bunched-up mess between my legs and made it considerably more comfortable. It also cuts the cost of the pads in half.
Infection risks with incontinence pads
Unfortunately, using pads all day creates a perfect environment for an infection. To avoid sitting in a damp pad all day is the first prize. Since that is not possible all the time, I decided to try and manage the dampness. First, I tried baby powder. It didn’t work. Next, I used baby oil to keep the dampness away and that helped to get rid of the feeling that I was wet and wrinkly at the end of the day.
Nonetheless, I ended up with a slight bladder infection last week. It was cleared up quickly with a few antibiotics. If you feel that something is wrong and does not feel right, that is because there is something not right. Listen to your body. Go and seek help early.
Conscious engagement of muscles before moving
I decided to start working on get up and sit down VERY actively. I consciously told my self to engage the muscles before standing up or sitting down. Literally say the words.
After about three or four days of doing this exercise, I could get up and sit down without any issues. After sitting and getting up, I tackled getting in and out of the car. Next was bending over. It actually worked and I can see good progress! It still catches me when I do unexpected movements.
As I write this post, I am on day five of my next experiment: No more pad in my home office! Day one was surprisingly good, but sitting in front of my computer was pretty good from day one. We’ll see what today holds.
Benefits of physiotherapy prehab and rehab
As per doctor’s recommendation I met with pelvic floor specialist physiotherapist Helen Shaw twice before and twice after the op. All I can say, it was worth every penny. At first it was a bit weird to speak to a stranger about all sorts of personal and private experiences related to my recovery (if you have spoken to Helen, you know what I am talking about), but I have to say it was a session I was looking forward to in the end. The woman gives you all the information one step before you require it. So, anyone not sure whether to speak with her, just do it!
I was back at work virtually full time after about two weeks. I work from home. Helen recommended to take a break and lie down (horizontal), every day around lunch time. This made a huge difference. It allowed me to relax my pelvic floor muscles for an hour. The days I didn’t get a chance to lie down, the ‘dreaded dribble’ was worse than on the rested days.
One of the great experiences with Helen, if I had any questions of ANY kind, she was always just a WhatsApp away. She has recently moved to the UK and still helps patients locally and at long distance.
The mental journey of recovery
Another thing that struck me in my recovery process, was the change in my mind. Before the op I was consumed by this diagnosis. You name the emotions, I had them! I suppose that is normal and human. The moment I came back home from the op, it was like a switch was flicked in my head and my mind was cleared of the fogginess. The emotions that cluttered my mind were gone and I was able to focus again.
To all the people that are about to go through the RALP: Good luck, you are in good hands, and it will be ok, but you need to get actively involved in your recovery. To all others that have gone through this experience, please share some of your experiences, things that worked or didn’t, would have been helpful. And rather than finding out by ourselves, let’s learn from each other’s experience and help those that are about to go through this.
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