October 21 marked two months since surgery. today, October 30 marks ten weeks since surgery.
I am feeling well and basically back to “normal.”
However, bladder control is my biggest struggle. It seems to have plateaued and I don’t feel confident in switching to regular underwear.
The biggest issue sleeping at night, as I have less control while sleeping. It is getting better, but in the morning laying in bed is fine. Standing up in the morning out of bed, and gravity and urgency kick in. I have to concentrate to hold it, and still have leakage.
During the day isn’t too bad, and I can probably switch to a pad with briefs.
I get busy with work during the day and I have sudden urgency. It’s sort of like I dealt with before surgery.
My biggest complaint is the stream starting before I have a chance to aim. I’ve hit the wall, floor, side of the bowl, flap of my pants. It’s not much better sitting as sometimes it’s like sticking a spoon under the faucet and it sprays out between the seat and the bowl. I’m getting tired of smelling like pee.
Something that was automatic/subconscious for 50+ years, and I’m having to re-learn it.
I really need to set a timer to remember to do my Kegels to build up the re-purposed muscles and help train them to do the job. Like all exercise, it’s not hard, just requires commitment to do it. I’m supposed to do them 7 times a day forever. Five sets of fifteen squeezing those muscles for ten seconds with ten seconds between each. It can be done sitting at my desk, driving, etc.
It can take up to six months for the muscles to do their thing subconsciously. I’m losing patience with it.
On the bright side, I’d rather smell like pee while I re-learn potty training than be slowly rotting with cancer.
Men's Health in My Perspective 