2 weeks post RALP
Thank you to everyone who provided advice on what to prep for my husband’s RALP. I have an update and a question below.
He is 2.5 weeks post surgery. A few things I wasn’t prepared for and some notes that may help others. We are in Spain and national health for context.
He was in surgery for 5.5 hours, he can often take longer and the surgeon was very happy. But took me by surprise.
2 days in hospital which was expected and he was reasonably self sufficient. Paracetamol for pain and stool softener. Don’t skip the last one!
Day 4 was the hardest post op and then the only way was up. Side fastening shorts were a god send or as we call them the stripper shorts.
We found a metal Bin(trash can) was the best for the bag. He hated it strapped or in a bag and when he forgot it made a noise before it was tugged.
Day 7 catheter and stitches out.
Day 9-11 blood in pee
Walking a good distance and energy levels are at a really good point.
He has been continent apart for decreasing dribbles each day. (Bending, coughing, laughing). We managed the first week with a mixture of pull-ups and pads. Now he is using incontinent underwear which is so much more comfortable and mostly dry. Bit more urgency in peeing but the force is back.
He hasn’t wanted to play with him yet but he thinks he has had a few semis in the night and when we talked about it he did get a semi. We will try together in a few days.
QUESTION - MRI this Sunday, we don’t know why as it was not on the discharge papers we got a call this week. Chat GPT talks about a baseline and checking on healing as lymph nodes were removed. He did not have an MRI as his first specialist didn’t want to wait and went straight to Biopsy. He did have a PET TAC PSMA which showed only in the prostate. Follow up is on 21st May 1 month after and we will also get biopsy results. Any other thoughts on why the MRI is so soon?
Numbers so far.
56
PSA 8
Gleeson 8 - crib and PI
7/14 positive
Pet only in prostate on one side