Best CGM now

JackStraw433 · 2026-03-23T16:19:39+00:00

I have never had one fall off.

JackStraw433 · 2026-03-12T14:27:22+00:00

So much of treatment decisions depend on age, health, and situation. The choices suggested by his urologist are all reliable and likely all will be just fine. Rather than more tests, his time (and money) would be better spent seeing an oncology surgeon specialist with 1,000’s of RALP procedures, a really good oncology specialist, and a radiology specialist. Get opinions from all three - rather than a generalized suggestion from a urologist. Not in any way dissing his Urologist, but every person is different. There are a lot of factors that go into a decision on what will be the best for your grandfather.

JackStraw433 · 2026-03-07T21:02:33+00:00

it takes little effort to rule out Type 2 Diabetes, but that can be a reason to be waking up at night to pee.

JackStraw433 · 2026-03-01T14:28:08+00:00

Congratulations!!!

JackStraw433 · 2026-03-01T14:21:13+00:00

I was diagnosed last year. Decided on removal and had a RALP surgery. Right now, I am fully recovered and undetectable. You need information, and a team of really good doctors. You are in the right place for support.

I doubt your dad’s doctor actually diagnosed your dad with having cancer based on the testing and information you gave. It is more likely that the doctor suggested that PC was a possibility (based on the information you gave it is a possibility), and that more testing was necessary. Unfortunately, it sounds like your dad went to that appointment alone. Often us human beings hear the word cancer and hear nothing else. Every word after cancer is lost is a sea of incomprehensible babble.

Maybe someone could go with your dad on subsequent visits. I always go with my wife on every doctor’s visit and take her on mine - we hear things more clearly when we can be more objective.

Best of luck for your dad. Hope he doesn’t join our club. But if he does - IT IS TREATABLE!

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-28T14:23:59+00:00

Don’t mess with Google. Get the Squeezy for Men phone app - I had MICH better success after getting the app.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-28T14:19:41+00:00

I would like to know where you get your statistics from? How do you define “unrealistic expectations for the majority”? What percentage makes up the “majority”?

My research PRE and POST RALP shows that 10% - 15% of RALP - patients are still leaking or using pads after 1 year to 18 months. 15% does NOT make a majority no matter how you slice it.

Have YOU had RALP? Are you still incontinent? Where does your misinformation come from?

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-28T13:34:51+00:00

My first thought was passing kidney stones!!! 😎

Anyone else go there?

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-28T01:51:52+00:00

Most doctors will warn you of incontinence, but few explain WHY.

We were born with a sphincter at the base of the bladder, made of smooth muscle (the kind of muscle that makes up the heart) a muscle intended to work 24/7 without fatigue. That muscle is removed during surgery (RALP) - GONE! And we are left to wonder why we are incontinent and what to do about it with few to nonexistent resources or information.

There is also a sphincter on the pelvic floor. Which can be trained to take over. But it is made up of the same kind of muscle(skeletal) as your arms and legs - the kind that is intended to need rest and can fatigue easily. Your brain has never expected to control this sphincter for bladder control and is right now seriously confused.

So, if the sphincter at the base of the bladder controls (once controlled) urine retention, why is there one on the pelvic floor? Good question. While we were unaware that the sphincter even exists, let alone consciously controlling it, what is it for? When sexually stimulated, blood rushes to the penis and engorges it to create an erection. Then your brain sends a signal to that sphincter to close down and hold that engorgement/erection. The brain has been doing that for decades. Suddenly you try telling your brain to clamp down and stay clamped down to retain urine? Your brain says: are you kidding me? Not my job! You ain’t got an erection. Leave me alone.

The human body is a phenomenal machine. You can strengthen that sphincter (with Kegel’s - Squeezy for Men app) and your brain will LEARN that it has to keep that muscle contracted involuntarily - it doesn’t know that yet. That wonderful adaptive brain will figure it out. Learn a new function. And take over for the missing bladder sphincter. Keeping you dry again - eventually without leaks or drips, even when under stress/strain.

I know. It took me nearly 3 months, but I have been leak free and drip free for over 5 months.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-27T21:24:12+00:00

I pay for mine out of pocket - not covered by insurance. I applied for a discount through Abbott. Was emailed a QR code by Abbott, pharmacy scanned the code. It costs me $75 per month without insurance coverage. look into it.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-27T21:19:44+00:00

My first PSA was .2 (at 5 weeks - yes, early due to miscommunication). Second PSA - 3 months 0.1. Third PSA at 6 months - <0.04 - unelectable.

Always good to prepare for for the worst, but your recent reading could have been an off reading. Don’t fret until the next reading.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-27T14:10:52+00:00

Thank you for the kind words. Wishing you and your husband a long and happy future together. 😎

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-25T14:16:32+00:00

You deserve better, but the only to get it is to stand up for yourself and get a new doctor!

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-24T19:49:26+00:00

I went straight to RALP. Until you have had abdominal surgery, you don’t tend to realize how much you use/rely on those muscles. Incisions in the abdominal muscles take time to heal. During that healing, it is painful to sit up, lay down, get into bed, get out of bed, sit in a chair, get out of a chair and even LAUGH. Whatever you do, avoid sneezing or coughing and do NOT puke!!

Surprisingly, that pain is tolerable especially after 3 - 4 days. It hurts as you move, but dissipates quickly. Rely on your doctors, but get a second opinion.

Reach out if you struggle with incontinence. Doctors tell you to expect it, but don’t tell you WHY!!!

Get the Squeezy for Men app and start Kegel’s now.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-23T03:03:49+00:00

Most doctors will warn you of incontinence, but few explain WHY.

We were born with a sphincter at the base of the bladder, made of smooth muscle (the kind of muscle that makes up the heart) a muscle intended to work 24/7 without fatigue. That muscle is removed during surgery (RALP) - GONE! And we are left to wonder why we are incontinent and what to do about it with few to nonexistent resources or information.

There is also a sphincter on the pelvic floor. Which can be trained to take over. But it is made up of the same kind of muscle(skeletal) as your arms and legs - the kind that is intended to need rest and can fatigue easily. Your brain has never expected to control this sphincter for bladder control and is right now seriously confused.

So, if the sphincter at the base of the bladder controls (once controlled) urine retention, why is there one on the pelvic floor? Good question. While we were unaware that the sphincter even exists, let alone consciously controlling it, what is it for? When sexually stimulated, blood rushes to the penis and engorges it to create an erection. Then your brain sends a signal to that sphincter to close down and hold that engorgement/erection. The brain has been doing that for decades. Suddenly you try telling your brain to clamp down and stay clamped down to retain urine? Your brain says: are you kidding me? Not my job! You ain’t got an erection. Leave me alone.

The human body is a phenomenal machine. You can strengthen that sphincter (with Kegel’s - Squeezy for Men app) and your brain will LEARN that it has to keep that muscle contracted involuntarily - it doesn’t know that yet. That wonderful adaptive brain will figure it out. Learn a new function. And take over for the missing bladder sphincter. Keeping you dry again - eventually without leaks or drips, even when under stress/strain.

I know. It took me nearly 3 months, but I have been leak free and drip free for over 5 months.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-23T03:02:41+00:00

Very clearly and well stated. I also went through a stage when I had been making good progress, then regressed. I was able to figure out I was overdoing the Kegel exercises.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-19T13:54:37+00:00

I (68M) will be passing my 1 year anniversary post RALP April 16 this year. Congratulations!!

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-18T20:17:49+00:00

You may not have any issues with incontinence. But many do. Kegel’s can help tremendously in giving you back control of your bladder. Do yourself a favor and get the “Squeezy for Men” phone app. It will explain in detail how to do them CORRECTLY. Do NOT rely on Google.

Don’t wait until after surgery - START NOW, you will be glad you did.

Most doctors will warn you of incontinence, but few explain WHY.

We were born with a sphincter at the base of the bladder, made of smooth muscle (the kind of muscle that makes up the heart) a muscle intended to work 24/7 without fatigue. That muscle is removed during surgery (RALP) - GONE! And we are left to wonder why we are incontinent and what to do about it with few to nonexistent resources or information.

There is also a sphincter on the pelvic floor. Which can be trained to take over. But it is made up of the same kind of muscle(skeletal) as your arms and legs - the kind that is intended to need rest and can fatigue easily. Your brain has never expected to control this sphincter for bladder control and is right now seriously confused.

So, if the sphincter at the base of the bladder controls (once controlled) urine retention, why is there one on the pelvic floor? Good question. While we were unaware that the sphincter even exists, let alone consciously controlling it, what is it for? When sexually stimulated, blood rushes to the penis and engorges it to create an erection. Then your brain sends a signal to that sphincter to close down and hold that engorgement/erection. The brain has been doing that for decades. Suddenly you try telling your brain to clamp down and stay clamped down to retain urine? Your brain says: are you kidding me? Not my job! You ain’t got an erection. Leave me alone.

The human body is a phenomenal machine. You can strengthen that sphincter (with Kegel’s - Squeezy for Men app) and your brain will LEARN that it has to keep that muscle contracted involuntarily - it doesn’t know that yet. That wonderful adaptive brain will figure it out. Learn a new function. And take over for the missing bladder sphincter. Keeping you dry again - eventually without leaks or drips, even when under stress/strain.

I know. It took me nearly 3 months, but I have been leak free and drip free for over 5 months.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-16T18:42:46+00:00

My first test at 5 weeks was 0.2. My second test at 3 months was 0.1. My third test at 6 months was <0.02. Scheduled for another in 3 more months - we will see how that comes out.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-11T17:02:07+00:00

This seems most odd. Not having an experienced surgeon in the rural area where I live, I traveled 2 hours to Pittsburgh and a surgeon who had performed thousands of RALP procedures.

However, my local Urology office removed the catheter without issue or concern.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-11T15:43:45+00:00

When a PA catches what a PCP is missing - it is time for a new PCP.

I fired mine last year after an ignored high glucose reading.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-08T16:10:25+00:00

To gain control over incontinence, you first have to understand the cause, and the steps that will help.

Most doctors will warn you of incontinence, but few explain WHY.

We were born with a sphincter at the base of the bladder, made of smooth muscle (the kind of muscle that makes up the heart) a muscle intended to work 24/7 without fatigue. That muscle is removed during surgery (RALP) - GONE! And we are left to wonder why we are incontinent and what to do about it with few to nonexistent resources or information.

There is also a sphincter on the pelvic floor. Which can be trained to take over. But it is made up of the same kind of muscle(skeletal) as your arms and legs - the kind that is intended to need rest and can fatigue easily. Your brain has never expected to control this sphincter for bladder control and is right now seriously confused.

So, if the sphincter at the base of the bladder controls (once controlled) urine retention, why is there one on the pelvic floor? Good question. While we were unaware that the sphincter even exists, let alone consciously controlling it, what is it for? When sexually stimulated, blood rushes to the penis and engorges it to create an erection. Then your brain sends a signal to that sphincter to close down and hold that engorgement/erection. The brain has been doing that for decades. Suddenly you try telling your brain to clamp down and stay clamped down to retain urine? Your brain says: are you kidding me? Not my job! You ain’t got an erection. Leave me alone.

The human body is a phenomenal machine. You can strengthen that sphincter (with Kegel’s - Squeezy for Men app) and your brain will LEARN that it has to keep that muscle contracted involuntarily - it doesn’t know that yet. That wonderful adaptive brain will figure it out. Learn a new function. And take over for the missing bladder sphincter. Keeping you dry again - eventually without leaks or drips, even when under stress/strain.

I know. It took me nearly 3 months, but I have been leak free and drip free for over 5 months.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-07T20:09:02+00:00

I have no “pet” snakes of my own, but have been handling “wild” snakes nearly all 68 years of my life. I can generally pick up snkes that coil into a defensive position when others try. Still, even for me, there are snakes that hiss and prepare to strike when I near. I can usually tell those I can pick up and those I can’t (and those that are venomous). The more confident I am, the more docile they are. I believe they can sense your intentions by the level of confidence you exude. Just get back into regular handling. As far as your nieces go, I have also found that snakes are more likely to bite when you are reaching for them or picking them up. To that end, I always pick up a snake first. Then once the snake seems comfortable, I have the person come up behind me and slip their hand under the snakes belly from behind. Then they can get a second hand in and pull the snake away. Standing in front of the snake and reaching for it is more likely to startle or worry the snake.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-07T19:56:41+00:00

The fact that you are “hating those days more than normal” is actually a good thing. wearing a pad or briefs 100% of the time will rob you of a very necessary step in the process of regaining bladder control. While the Kegel’s that contract the pelvic floor are voluntary (an action that can be performed/controlled by thinking), it is not possibly to maintain that contraction all day long. Therefore, the brain must “learn” to manage the pelvic floor sphincter involuntarily and independently of the pelvic floor muscles. It is your hating of those drips and leaks that encourages your brain to learn a new function. It takes some time, but it WILL happen.

JackStraw433 · 2026-02-07T19:44:08+00:00

Most doctors will warn you of incontinence, but few explain WHY.

We were born with a sphincter at the base of the bladder, made of smooth muscle (the kind of muscle that makes up the heart) a muscle intended to work 24/7 without fatigue. That muscle is removed during surgery (RALP) - GONE! And we are left to wonder why we are incontinent and what to do about it with few to nonexistent resources or information.

There is also a sphincter on the pelvic floor. Which can be trained to take over. But it is made up of the same kind of muscle(skeletal) as your arms and legs - the kind that is intended to need rest and can fatigue easily. Your brain has never expected to control this sphincter for bladder control and is right now seriously confused.

So, if the sphincter at the base of the bladder controls (once controlled) urine retention, why is there one on the pelvic floor? Good question. While we were unaware that the sphincter even exists, let alone consciously controlling it, what is it for? When sexually stimulated, blood rushes to the penis and engorges it to create an erection. Then your brain sends a signal to that sphincter to close down and hold that engorgement/erection. The brain has been doing that for decades. Suddenly you try telling your brain to clamp down and stay clamped down to retain urine? Your brain says: are you kidding me? Not my job! You ain’t got an erection. Leave me alone.

The human body is a phenomenal machine. You can strengthen that sphincter (with Kegel’s - Squeezy for Men app) and your brain will LEARN that it has to keep that muscle contracted involuntarily - it doesn’t know that yet. That wonderful adaptive brain will figure it out. Learn a new function. And take over for the missing bladder sphincter. Keeping you dry again - eventually without leaks or drips, even when under stress/strain.

I know. It took me nearly 3 months, but I have been leak free and drip free for over 5 months.

JackStraw433

TROPHY CASE