From One Patient to Another
This paper was written by a patient, describing his views about recovery from radical prostatectomy.
Upon arriving home from the hospital, the patient will find it much more comfortable (if not absolutely necessary) to spend most of the time in a Lazy Boy-type recliner chair because it is almost impossible to lie on the flat surface of a bed with a catheter. The reclining chair's various adjustments permits comfortable sleeping as well as sitting.

Because of the catheter, wearing a nightshirt is more comfortable than wearing pajamas. (An inexpensive substitute is an XXL "one-size-fits-all" ladies T-shirt, which can be found at Wal-Mart stores.) Replacing the conventional toilet seat with one having a split front will make using the toilet much more comfortable and convenient.

The services of a home care nurse should be arranged for as long as needed because hospital-type attentive care will be required. Medicare-eligible patients need only the prescription of their doctor to get this necessary care at no charge.

Once the catheter is removed, a new phase begins -- "the return to the diaper." The Depends company makes two styles of diaper: a "bikini" style, shaped like a "V" and supported by elastic straps which button to the diaper; and a diaper similar to those used on babies, which covers a much larger area than the bikini style and attaches by three sticky tabs on each side. (When in place, this diaper resembles a boxer-style brief.)

For at least the first few weeks following de-catheterization, the "boxer-style" diaper is needed to absorb the copious amount of urine that is continually and uncontrollably discharged. The diaper will probably require changing two or three times a day. During this time, an absorbent pad should be used to cover the chair seat. Once some control of bladder function returns, fewer daily diaper changes will be required. It's a good idea to change to a fresh diaper before retiring for the night, and keep the drinking of liquids to a minimum after 5 or 6 p.m.

You should drink two liters of water or more during the course of the day. (A two-liter soft drink bottle used as a water jug is a good measure of the amount of water intake.) Clear urine in the catheter bag is also a good indicator of adequate fluid intake. Increase your water consumption if the urine becomes amber or darker.

The scrotum and groin area will become irritated from being continually wet with urine. An excellent cleansing material is Carrington Perineal Cleansing Foam for Incontinent Care. It is an aerosol preparation that is easily applied and then wiped away, leaving the sticky, messy, irritated area clean and comfortable. Using this preparation will make life much more pleasant during this trying period. Soaking in a warm bath upon awakening in the morning is preferable, but Carrington's Perineal Cleansing Foam, applied when necessary during the day, is the next best thing.

About three weeks following decatheterization and after reacquiring major bladder control, it may be possible to stop using the diaper at night and enjoy comfortable sleep. Once you become active during the day, however, wearing the diaper will be necessary again.

By this time, you can switch to the bikini-style diaper, which allows for more freedom and more comfortable movement. Buy the "extra-absorbency" form of the diaper to reduce changes because, by this time, you will have become much more mobile. Once you become more mobile, more socially active, and even feel that you can return to a limited work schedule, you will find that discarding the diaper for an "incontinent brief" will help you feel your life is almost back to normal. A very nice incontinent brief is the "Prefer" brand, which has a zippered front into which one can insert an absorbent pad. What an improvement over wearing the diaper, even the bikini-type! (The Prefer incontinent brief can be purchased at many health supply stores.)

When you finally get to the stage where you are almost "dry" and experience only occasional dribbles during the day, another Depend product is great. It is the "Poise Pad," which has an adhesive tape on the outer surface that sticks to the inner surface of your ordinary Jockey-type shorts. Get the extra-absorbent long Poise Pad.

You've come this far in your recuperation, so you're in the home stretch. Just don't get too frisky or overdo anything -- work, exercise, or anything else. Take it easy, eat properly, drink lots of fluids, get a lot of rest, follow your doctor's instructions and get well completely.

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