Hi All, this is my first post. My dad was diagnosed with moderate to severely invasive, high grade TCC earlier this year, had two TURBTs to remove tumours, had BCG treatment, and now has undergone a RC with Neobladder a few days ago. So far, he is looking very well, and his surgeons and other doctors are very pleased.
His path reports came back today and they said he had prostatic cancer as well (early), but the lymph nodes all came back clean. His surgeon does not feel there is a need for additional chemo.
I have questions for the group, I have read as many comments on neobladders as possible and th stories people have posted and I am finding these very helpful. Thank you have having such an informative site!
So, my questions are these:
1. once the catheter is removed how long before people (men in particular) were able to hold for any period of time without leaking? My dad seems to have resigned himself to some incontinence issues with this surgery, but my mother is really having difficulty with the idea of incontinence.
2. With regards to incontinence, were there products that were particularly helpful? underpads, underwear, etc?
3. How much care was required by a nurse or spouse in the initial days after returning home...was most of it self-care, or did you require additional help from others for tasks such as hygiene, using the washroom etc? My father is expected to be hospitalized for two weeks. I think it may help my mother get through some of this if she knows that my Dad may be somewhat self-sufficient for routine tasks when he returns home...but I don't know if that would be the case. She knows that she will need to wake him frequently etc. while learning to use the bladder.
4. Any other tips/tricks from survivors our their significant others in dealing with the first few weeks post-op?
Thank you all so much for your help!!
