Dear Cady,
I don't think I'm stoic, although my tolerance for pain may have been affected by the years of misery I went through with a urethral stricture before I had my first recurrence (cancer free for 10 years before the recurrence battle started). I really was at the point where my bladder had made me so miserable I was glad to be rid of it. Plus I had no doubt that it was the right decision, so I went into surgery with a positive attitude. My brother told me about a friend of his who was miserable after the surgery, and I was determined not to be that guy.
They got me out of bed the day after the surgery. I just did a little walk that day. I was dripping from around all my tubes and drains, making a mess on the floor, and we finally figured out that the only thing that would catch it all was a diaper. I was determined to take at least 3 half hour walks per day and couldn't stand waiting for the nurses to help me get ready, so I figured out how to diaper myself by laying it in the chair and sitting in it. What you're hearing about is my determination to heal and get well. I think it makes a difference, and you can do it.
I'm not really exercising yet except for walking. The incontinence has thrown me a bit for a loop. Aside from the fact that I was uncomfortable with diapers and pads, I has a few occasions when they leaked. Right now I'm using a condom catheter called Gee Whiz. I think it works pretty well, but there's a learning curve in putting it on correctly, and I've had a few disasters where it came off, so I'm afraid to do anything that might yank it. Also, I was told not to do anything strenuous or lift anything heavy for 6 weeks, although my 2 year old grandchildren (quadruplets) are all yelling "Papa, up!" and were getting tired of being told that grandpa has a boo boo, so I finally decided to pick them up (but only 1 at a time). Frankly I think that was less strenuous than post op bowel movements.
