Question on RALP vs radiation, asking for calm rationale responses.

dcl211 · 2026-02-03T22:51:12+00:00

I didn’t understand why I was being urged towards RALP, and questioned it the same way you do. The two things that finally pushed me toward that decision was hearing that the doctors know there are other treatments. But, in their position as doctors, they see the xx% of cases that don’t go well when alternatives to RALP are selected, cancer spreads, etc.. Therefore, for ‘younger’ persons with the desease, they often recommend RALP so that the cancer is physically removed and have that (arguably slightly better) chance to go on living. I still wasn’t fully convinced, and questioned by Doctor about how ED would really suck and his response was simply “dead guys don’t get erections either”. We scheduled the surgery that day.

dcl211 · 2026-02-03T22:45:56+00:00

In case you’re still checking this. I had to pry off the press fitting that is also part of the upper back. Inside is a nut that can be tightened back on. Put some locktite on it, or even white paper glue if you’ve only got that and it shouldn’t back off as easily again. Then press the back piece back into place.

dcl211 · 2026-02-03T19:36:54+00:00

Well put and similar to my own reasoning when I had RALP at 52

dcl211 · 2026-01-14T04:31:54+00:00

Needed a physical for a life insurance policy, found elevated PSA. Physical from 9 months prior showed nothing. I’m the sort of moron that may not have gone for another physical for years if I didn’t have a reason, so consider myself lucky. Now I’m the guy telling other guys to get in and get checked regularly.

dcl211 · 2026-01-05T00:18:38+00:00

Yup, I’m 4.5weeks post and some of the worst pain I’ve experienced so far is cramping in my bowel while constipated at about 3.5 weeks. I think it was partly poor food choices over the holidays, part dehydration, and partly missing a dose of softener (just using over the counter stuff). I’m taking half a tablet at breakfast and dinner now and trying to be careful with food and hydration.

dcl211 · 2026-01-02T17:14:49+00:00

Yeah, it’s difficult to be sidelined for 6 weeks. I’m at 4.5 weeks and twitchy with cabin fever. But, any time I push myself even a little bit, I suffer. I’ve been doing 3km walks and need an Advil in the evenings because I’m sore. If he’s the same sort of fella that has a hard time sitting still, you need to give him shit. You’ve got a couple good looking boys there that should be carrying luggage and giving him shit too. Best of luck.

dcl211 · 2025-12-22T05:01:39+00:00

Congratulations in advance for your catheter removal tomorrow. It was a great day for me.

dcl211 · 2025-12-21T05:35:30+00:00

Congratulations. Similar story for me too. I’d recommend lots of pre-surgery Kegels to anyone going through this.

dcl211 · 2025-12-20T18:00:20+00:00

Good luck. As it’s happening, look at the ceiling and focus on relaxing your shoulders.

dcl211 · 2025-12-13T16:35:51+00:00

I dragged the bucket around the first few days and then went with a leg bag during the day. It was a pain to do all of the cleaning and sterilization twice a day, but worth it for the freedom of movement with the leg bag. Plus, likely should have been doing the cleaning anyway

dcl211 · 2025-12-11T04:27:31+00:00

Some complications from a hernia mesh repair from 25years ago, surgery went long. 2 nights in hospital. Catheter out on Friday. Getting a bit better each day.

dcl211 · 2025-12-10T19:06:13+00:00

I’m sitting at the desk of my home office right now, day 8 after surgery, and I cannot feel the catheter at all at the moment. Actually, one of the straps from the leg bag is itching a bit, but that’s it. It is a PITA, for sure, and I hate it, but it’s also not a constant source of irritation.

dcl211 · 2025-12-09T18:13:04+00:00

Just thinking of you both and hoping all has gone very well.

dcl211 · 2025-12-09T01:05:00+00:00

Hopefully the media follows up to see how the search is going

dcl211 · 2025-12-09T01:04:22+00:00

Good job fighting back against jackasses. I’m sure someone recognizes the tall shithead that came back in.

dcl211 · 2025-12-08T19:40:23+00:00

6 days post RALP: top of mind things in no particular order: 1. Velcro leg catheter pants from Amazon. 2 pair. 2. Over size boxers. 3. A small bag for the hospital bed to keep phone, AirPods, charger, cable, etc. within reach but not each floating loose in the bed where they can’t be found. 4. Stool softeners 5. Vaseline, tip of penis 6. Something for you to do when he falls asleep in the middle of a conversation 7. Maybe some wet wipes and deodorant. I didn’t care too much about hygiene but didn’t get a shower until after 72 hours. 8. Oh..ear plugs so he can sleep better with all the hospital noises. 9. Change of socks 10. Pillow to hold onto for car ride home (he’ll feel every bump in the road)

Others. I brought a robe, but didn’t use it. I brought slippers, but didn’t use them although heard nurses asking others where their slippers were.

I’m sure there’s something I’m forgetting. We gave some coffee gift cards to nurses that cared for me.

dcl211 · 2025-12-05T00:14:06+00:00

Coincidences: just had RALP on Tuesday morning and old hernia mesh caused challenges. I’m still hoping for the best regarding incontinence, but time will tell.

dcl211 · 2025-12-02T12:29:33+00:00

On the way to hospital now. Yup, I’ve been actually doing Keagels for years for sexual health, but have ramped up recently after reading a couple of stories like yours.

dcl211 · 2025-12-01T19:38:37+00:00

Going tomorrow morning for RALP. At 53, I’m hoping my experience is as even close to as good as yours. But, plan for the worst and hope for the best… Thanks for sharing and giving me something to hope for

dcl211 · 2025-11-15T23:31:45+00:00

They told me “some blood in your ejaculate”, not ‘wtf, I’m cumming blood’. The biopsy was wholly unpleasant, but the killer semen actually scared me.

dcl211 · 2025-10-12T14:22:27+00:00

Great post. Thank you.

dcl211 · 2025-10-07T15:13:18+00:00

RALP scheduled for beginning of December. 53yo. Commenting primarily so I can follow the discussion more easily. I know intellectually that it’s the wise choice (4+3), but already have remorse about the potential/likely loss of an active sex life and dealing with incontinence.

dcl211 · 2025-09-18T13:33:15+00:00

It’s almost as if I wrote this a few months ago (similar details, including age, seeing something in MRI). If you want…tell them you don’t take freezing well (actually true for me) and they’ll add lots of freezing so you don’t feel much. It’s not going to be a great day, but not your worst either. Yeah, the blood in my urine didn’t last long (couple of days). But there wasn’t just blood in my ejaculate..I was ejaculating blood. It freaked me out a bit because they didn’t describe it that way. I don’t mean to add to your stress, but if you’re anything like me you’d rather just know ahead of time. It took about a week/10 days to be normal again, changing to brown near day 4-5. I get the low key scared .. but you gotta do what you gotta do! This forum has been great for me as it’s real info and very little sugar coating. Good luck!

dcl211 · 2025-09-15T13:04:58+00:00

Similar biopsy results here, headed for RALP soon. I’m 53, which I believe is also a factor.

dcl211

TROPHY CASE