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Posted 1/24/2010 8:33 PM (GMT -5)
Got another question about the post-surgery incontinence issue. I understand that it can be a challenge going from sitting to standing.

What about stairs? Here's the deal. I go into the building (for work) and have to go down a flight of stairs for my office and nearby classroom. The bathrooms are upstairs (no bathroom on the lower level, which always amazed me).

So, will I have any problems negotiating the stairs in a non-leaking manner? I am assuming returning to work roughly 6-weeks post op. and I also realize we are all different and it's an individual thing. What has been your experience.

Mel

Posted 1/24/2010 8:52 PM (GMT -5)
First week or so, you'll feel a small "squirt, squirt, squirt" with each stair. It'll feel like more than it really is. After 6 weeks, if you are like the average recovery, you will still be leaking some, but will have some fairly good, partial control. Not something to worry about, because it will not prevent anything that you need to do.
Posted 1/24/2010 8:54 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Mel - my urologist encouraged me to walk stairs the day I returned home from the hospital. I have no problem with stairs (in fact, I walk up five flights to get to my lecture hall), as long as I concentrate a bit on not leaking. I started doing this three weeks after surgery, and am at one pad per day.
Posted 1/24/2010 8:57 PM (GMT -5)

Thanks Profman:

What do you teach?

Mel

Posted 1/24/2010 9:10 PM (GMT -5)
Do your best to empty your bladder when you get a chance, and just plan on using pads for awhile... they hold an amazingly large amount of fluid before they leak. Plan on visiting the bathroom often to replace if needed... it's really not a big deal (although an inconvenience). My recollection is that standing up was much more of a problem for me initially than stairs.
Posted 1/24/2010 9:31 PM (GMT -5)
I was very much incontinent when I returned to work after surgery. It was around 180 paces and a flight of stairs to the nearest restroom. I could fill a pad just trying to get to the restroom.

Fortunately there was a closet nearby and I relieved myself in a bottle. I'm happy to report I never got caught.

After about a month of using the bottle I came across the Afex Incontinence System that made life a lot more bearable until my continence returned.

I think I was the exception, not the rule. Most patients regained continence much faster than I did.

Wishing you dryness,
Bob
Posted 1/24/2010 9:38 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Mel - I teach biochemistry, and ironically, have lectured about the biochemistry of prostate cancer for a number of years before being diagnosed. That lecture is coming up in about a month - not sure how I will be presenting it this year.
Posted 1/24/2010 9:47 PM (GMT -5)

That's funny, Prof.

I teach mathematics and we do discuss exponential growth. One of my examples pertain to radioactive growth/decay, half-lifes, the sun, and cancer cell growth.

Mel

Posted 1/24/2010 9:59 PM (GMT -5)
Best of luck on Tuesday Mel - Versed is a great drug - destroys your short-term memory while it is pumped through you - I can't remember a thing from leaving the staging area until some time in the recovery room - a time span of 8.5 hours (7:15 am until 3:45 pm). Due to me having some weird anatomy (the doc was very excited by the challenge, and really enjoyed the surgery) I lost more blood than supposed to with robotic surgery, but still went home the next day. You will come through like a trooper.
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