Hi Kev
It was good to read your post although when I read all the tough stuff you have had to go through I feel incredibly lucky that my RAPR seems to have gone remarkably well with very limited SE.
I had my PR removed at London Bridge hospital less than 2 weeks ago. Apart from shoulder pain, particularly the right shoulder - linked as others have mentioned to diaphragm pushing down during op and CO2 - some general tenderness around the wounds etc I was able to stop all paracetamol and ibuprofen a week after the operation. I had none of the swollen scrotum, bowel, catheter and peeing issues you have described.
Like you sleep in hospital was at best fitful as the nursing staff did regular checks throughout the night, particularly the first night; my operation was late evening and I was only back in my room at 20:30. Ice-cream and yoghurt only for supper after having had nothing to eat all day!
I had no abdominal drain post op and my 6 wounds were all closed with what looks like a clear plastic adhesive; no redness, all flat and no staples. There was some bruising and tenderness around the big 2inch cut above my belly button.
The hospital physio had me up and doing a corridor walk on the morning after the operation. I could walk ‘tall’, take steps - no shuffling - and could sit up and get out of bed relatively easily. I coud bend down although obviously coughing was sore. I was able to shower on day 2 after the operation.
I was in the hospital for 3 nights and then got train from London Bridge - we missed the terrorist incident there by 15 minutes; we were on a 13:45 train and the incident kicked off at 14:00 - to Gatwick for flight to Jersey late Friday afternoon flight. All went fine and assistance at Gatwick was great.
It was good to get home and I slept in a spare bedroom; sleep was fitful as I was suffering from severe headaches which were linked to very high blood pressure. My GP prescribed medication to control this last Monday and apart from BP falling a bit I feel a lot better.
I had my catheter - I had the penile catheter rather than the supra pelvic one - removed last Thursday - 9 days after surgery - and this was a big relief. I am delighted I am completely dry and in control. No leaks or need for pads, waterproof mattress cover etc.
It turns out that RP was the right call as during the RP surgery the surgeon established that the cancer had spread outside the capsule - something that was not evident from MRI scan etc - and he took out some margin. I am now in the holding pattern of monitoring PSA results in 4 weeks time and quarterly thereafter to establish if in fact the surgeon got it all. Apparently Brachy would not have been an option if it had been established that my cancer had spread outside the capsule.
And then last night was delighted to wake up during the night with a strong hard nocturnal erection!
So all good right now and I am feeling fine and strong. I have been for walks on the beach, and been into town for Christmas market and even attended a Christmas drinks party on Saturday night.
So I feel very fortunate and hope your recovery continues to improve each day.
Cheers
Grant60