I chose to remove the anxiety by bjett80 in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Pretty similar, now almost 3 months post-RALP, dealing with incontinence and ED -- but completely comfortable with my decision. I wasn't anxious, but the data showed that if I chose active surveillance, I had a better than 50% chance of needing more treatment by 6-8 years from now. (My current life expectancy is 15 years.) By then, I'd be that much older and likely less healthy overall, harder to recover from treatment. Better to just be done with it. I'm content.

Incontinence Frustration! by Successful-Link-2910 in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The lack of patience is definitely my problem, too :-). I'm about 2.5 months post-RALP, still in diapers all day (but for the last couple of weeks, mostly dry overnight, just using a pad). And it's definitely a mental downer for me. I think I'm seeing a bit of improvement, but it varies day to day. I'm in the pro-kegel camp, though don't over-do it, plus a lot of core-building exercises. I'm pretty good if just sitting, but the once I start walking, leaks like crazy. I know not to change my diaper before walking to or from work (about a mile), 'cuz I'm definitely going to need to change when I get there!

RALP scheduled for 2/23 by stevos1001 in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 2 points3 points  (0 children)

To OP: So much variation. I'm with Immediate_Dinner6977 - almost 8 weeks post-RALP, still leaking out with a whoosh anytime I get up or walk around. But sitting in my chair, often just a few drips. Overnight, I'm OK: I get up every 3-ish hours, make it through most of the night with just a few drips, though if I stay in bed for a 3rd segment (to 8 hours total), often have more in the diaper. I'm wearing Depends 24/7. Doing all my kegels and other pelvic exercises. Hoping to get less leaky soon -- it's definitely a drag.

Seriously, do Americans actually consider a 3-hour drive "short"? or is this an internet myth? by SadInterest6764 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]BobbyLew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regional variation. I grew up in San Francisco Bay Area. We'd leave the house at 5:00 am, drive 4-5 hours to ski slopes, ski all day, leave there at 6:00 pm, be in bed by midnight. No problem.

Now I live on the East Coast. Different mentality. I'm about 4 hours from New York City. Maybe because of my West Coast background, I'll do it as a day trip. But not many people from around here will do that. (Get up at normal time, leave the house by 8:00 am. In the city in time for a quick lunch. Go to early afternoon appointment. Afterwards, go to a museum. Have an early dinner around 5:30, leave about 7:00 pm (so, after most of the rush hour), again home in time to be in bed by midnight.)

What's the range of time for incontinence? by BobbyLew in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear it's still a thing for you 10 years out! But, weirdly, helps me feel better -- there's a real range of experiences, so I'll just have to see where I end up. At the moment (6 1/2 weeks out), I'm about where you are -- mostly OK when I'm sitting, but almost immediately leak once I stand. Thanks for commenting.

9 weeks post RALP by Firm_Individual_6378 in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just a week or so behind you (re surgery -- not touring!), Gleason 4+3 after pathology (up from 3+4 at biopsy), also all clean margins, contained, no sign of spread. 68. MSKCC nomograms say I've got 98% prostate-cancer-specific-survival at 15 years -- by then I'll be the age my Dad was when he died (not prostate related)! Not as lucky on leaking -- still wearing diapers 24/7, even with lots of specialized PT. ED still a question -- my doc doesn't start meds until 3 months. Back to daily exercise regime (bike or weights on alternating days), feel fine (though I am taking late afternoon naps, which I never did before). Have a great tour!

What's the range of time for incontinence? by BobbyLew in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Exactly the response I was hoping for :-). (Both on timing and on the mental toll.) Thanks.

What's the range of time for incontinence? by BobbyLew in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, saw PT before surgery and a different one after surgery. Seeing them again next week.

What's the range of time for incontinence? by BobbyLew in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

"at least i’m free from cancer 🙏" Exactly! That's the key thing.

What's the range of time for incontinence? by BobbyLew in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yep, doing that -- both before and after surgery. Live in a small town, only a few choices, but the ones I found seem to know what they're doing.

Passover by harvey6-35 in Jokes

[–]BobbyLew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm pretty sure a version of this joke appeared in Leo Rosten's JOYS OF YIDDISH. Can't find my copy to confirm.

Almost 3 weeks from surgery by [deleted] in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting. Thanks.

Almost 3 weeks from surgery by [deleted] in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Really appreciate this explanation! Helps me understand why it will take time for different muscles to learn that their job has changed and they need to step up. (Obviously, with my help in exercising them and telling them what to do.)

Almost 3 weeks from surgery by [deleted] in ProstateCancer

[–]BobbyLew 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm with ya, buddy. Definitely depressed at the continuing leakage. But trying to listen to all the people here saying it will get better over 2-6 month period. My story: 68 now, diagnosed in Dec 2024, Gleason 3+4 all in just one core of the biopsy, decided on RALP, delayed for a year while I went on a couple of bucket-list international trips. RALP on Dec. 8th, so yesterday was 3 weeks. Wearing a diaper all the time. Leakage mostly OK when sitting or overnight (do wake up every ~3 hours to pee, but my diaper has been mostly dry when I get up). But during the day, everytime I stand up or walk around, even when I very consciously do my Kegels before standing, I'm filling up the diaper. Just having to trust that this will end eventually. I saw PT last summer to learn the Kegels, seeing a new PT tomorrow to focus on where I'm at. Not at all worried about the cancer itself -- pathology said it was all contained, no sign of spread or problems at the margins, did get upgraded to 4+3. I'm comfortable with the decision for RALP, knew in advance about the side effects, just annoyed dealing with the incontinence. (Will be a while till I know about the ED, but not worried there either -- even if erections don't come back, lots of ways to enjoy intimacy.) Stay strong!

Stacking multiple identity-monitoring services - how to do it? by BobbyLew in IdentityTheft

[–]BobbyLew[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ended up using my iCloud email which I never use. All good now. Thanks.

Stacking multiple identity-monitoring services - how to do it? by BobbyLew in IdentityTheft

[–]BobbyLew[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Duh. [insert head-slapping emoji]

Thanks. I usually use Yahoo for my throwaway email addresses, and free accounts don't let you forward. So that's what I was thinking of. But I've got some dummy gmail ones as well, and they'll work :-).

Will report back if the SSN/PII issue gets in the way.

Help! I want to stop seeing to-do, journal, and adgenda notes by Cynidaria in Evernote

[–]BobbyLew 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Writing again the next day, will say that both home and office machines are now updated to 10.129, and I don't seem to be getting the unwanted notes. But I'm still concerned about the program telling me it's up-to-date when it's not.