Robin's Story

Ethnicity
White British
Age
60-69
Work
Retired
Sexual Orientation
Straight
Geography
East Midlands
Relationship status
Married/In a Civil Partnership

Radiotherapy

Tips and advice for any bladder or bowel side effects of treatment

I had to have a TURP procedure as I was suffering from urine retention due to the constriction in my urethra caused by the enlargement of the prostate. This greatly improved urine flow but my bladder had been damaged and the muscles are unable to fully empty the bladder. I must therefore self catheterise once everyday for health reasons. I have now been doing this successfully for at least two years with only one serious incident of urinary sepsis.

Tips and advice for any sexual side effects of treatment

Use it or lose it ! I used a vacuum pump daily to maintain the blood vessels and keep my penis healthy and functional. I also tried to masturbate as regularly as I could. You don’t always feel like it but it is a bit like going to the gym ! My sex life longer term has, as a result, not suffered although the dry orgasms took some getting used to.

Tips and advice for any physical side effects of treatment

Try to watch your diet and eat the right things. Do as much as you can to maintain a degree of fitness even though you lack energy. After the treatment, fight your way back to your usual weight, use the gym to get muscle strength back and energy. It took me more than a year to do this. Don’t give up or give in.

Tips and advice for any mental and emotional side effects of treatment

Try not to get ratty with those around you who love you and who are supporting you. Accept that these changes are largely your body trying to deal with changes and love yourself a bit too. Keep telling yourself that these are temporary changes and you will fight your way back to being yourself again. Don’t despair and don’t give in.

How this treatment impacted my life the most

For a long time I felt physically and emotionally compromised by some very real chemical changes happening inside of me. Certainly, my sense of myself, self esteem etc. was affected and the biggest areas of challenge were around my sex drive , my masculinity and my physical fitness which I had always previously taken for granted. I did however connect with a deeper spirituality and found much comfort and personal growth in prayer, inner contemplation and meditation.

If I had to do it all over again, would I choose the same treatment?

Yes

Why did I give this answer?

Because for me ( due to my urinary issues and requirements for self catheterisation) surgery was not an option ). There is no treatment that isn’t going to result in unpleasant side effects. I underestimated how significant the treatment would be in terms of the physical and mental side effects but the good news is that it works ( or did for me ) and you can recover and have good quality of life again.

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