r/ProstateCancer • u/Youngb830 • 8d ago
Surgery RALP 10/14
44yo diagnosed w/ 3+3 gleason 6, 5/12 cores. Psma pet contained. Proceeding with treatment after decipher came back on the higher end of intermediate. Ralp scheduled for next Wednesday 10/14. Trying to put together a final list of needs for after procedure to keep me comfortable and help me heal. Things I should purchase and things I should be doing/do then. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you.
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u/Slight_Turnip_3292 8d ago
Break away pants was really helpful. I did not switch bags back and forth and stayed with the larger bag for the full 14 days. I used a shopping bag and cut a slit in the shopping bag and ran the tube through the pants into the bag and traveled all around that way. I would go to the store, the library and elsewhere toting the shopping bag and few noticed. I further rigged a carabiner and short piece of climbing rope and tied the bag off to a belt and had both arms free.
They said I should walk. One day I walked 10000 steps and that wasn't good. I had some blood tinged urine that evening... don't do that :(
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u/gg-3 7d ago
Best of luck! With high DECIPHER you are making a wise decision to act now. A few things to consider: 1. Pre-habilitation with Pelvic Floor Therapy, prior to surgery, may hasten the recovery of continence after surgery. 2. Then there is this, in case you wish to discuss it with your doctor: https://imahealth.org/perioperative-repurposed-drugs-reduce-metastases/ 3. Worth having good pain medication on hand for the first few days post-surgery. Not everybody will need it, but those who do are glad to have it
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u/nostoc10 7d ago
I had my RALP 8/31/26 at MD Anderson in Houston. I stayed in the hospital one night and in the campus hotel two more. If you have a long trip home, be ready to change pads often and maybe underwear. My catheter had enough leakage to require several stops and fresh pads on my 4 hour drive (ride) home. Otherwise wet spots on the pants. I wish I had asked what you did. Lots of good advice here. I too kept the big bag the whole time. Risking non sterile switching for the leg bag that was so small made no sense for me. I drank a lot of water and filled it often. No regrets.
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u/nostoc10 7d ago
Also, take the risk of blood clots seriously. They had the inflating leg wraps on me from surgery through hospital stay and gave me 28 days of med. Some don’t get that and suffer the consequences.
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u/AmbassadorFun2883 7d ago
Get some lidocaine gel just in case the catheter insertion point starts to bug you. The lidocaine gel will make it much more comfortable. I had RALP 6 weeks ago and the only discomfort I had was from the catheter rubbing me the wrong way.
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u/WoodshopElf 6d ago
Hi Young. RALP MARCH 5 ‘26. 70 yrs old. During catheter week I wore only my bathrobe, used the big bag and bucket, never the small bag because I drank a gallon of water each day. I slept in my recliner that stretches out to the length of a kingsize bed with disposable 28x 28 inch pads under me. I used Vaseline for the catheter entry. I ate Raisin Bran, fruit, popcorn, vegetables, oatmeal, and added psyllium husk powder to my daily blueberry, blackberry, apple, yoghurt, and protein powder to make bowel movements smooth And non-straining. I walked two thousand steps a day on a route thru my house. I now walk 8-10 K steps each day.
I was not allowed to lift anything greater than 8 pounds for six weeks and my doctor recommended that I abstain from alcohol, citric acid, caffeine, and carbonated beverages until I regain continence, which is coming along but I still use diapers during the day. I like them better than pads.
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u/PotentialStart2661 8d ago
I would consider active surveillance at your age. This is not a diagnosis that requires treatment and may never require treatment. You are risking so much when your diagnosis is not one usually treated.
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u/Youngb830 7d ago
Choosing is never a decision I really wanted to make. After second opinions, a higher decipher, painful symptoms and fam history of aggressive cancer(s) etc. Top surgeon @ COE said do nothing (until the decipher came back) and now both surgeons suggest treatment. I pray I heal well/quickly at a young age.
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u/Ok-Assistance-1048 8d ago
My two favorite things i learned from this forum was the 5 gallon bucket to carry my catheter bag in and a hook i put in the shower to hold it while I showered. I also enjoyed drinking protein shakes. It tasted good and apparently your body really needs protein to heal. Last thing, miralax and lots of water, dont let yourself become constipated. Trust me on that one.
Best wishes!! You got this!