At least they're not condoms

There are aspects of prostate treatment that I haven't talked about...until now.

As one approaches most of the treatment options, one begins to plan for the post treatment effects mentioned by physicians and in the literature. For most these include incontinence and impotence. The hope is that these will be temporary lasting from a few days to a few months...or more than a year, but temporary.

While impotence is nothing to look forward to, it is not something that should cause spontaneous embarrassment at awkward public moments...unless your life is a whole lot more exciting than mine. Incontinence, however, needs to be planned for to avoid public exposure..."Ummm, Bill...why is there a puddle growing beneath your right foot?"

In anticipation, I decided I should stock up on necessary supplies before the surgery. I was advised to not go for the generic or store brands, but to go top shelf...Depends.

But going to the store I found myself walking quickly by the display, not even looking for any length of time for fear someone would think I was shopping for me.

"Holy crap, this is just like trying to buy condoms when I was a whole lot younger." I thought, "And that's just stupid. I'm an adult, shopping for a medically necessary product for a procedure I'm going to have soon. I have every right to buy Depends and not be embarrassed, I have every right to purchase what I need without public humiliation. Depends are on the shelf for people to buy. It's time to grow up."

So I got back in the car, drove home and asked Lucia if she'd buy my diapers. She did.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, ultimately I experienced zero incontinence...but I wore the Depends (now available in sporty gray as well as white) for several weeks until I was confident I was in fact in control. Then I decided I should at least wear a pad for a while...just to be sure. So I went online and found that Depends also make a pad for men, "Guard."

This time, however, I steeled myself and went boldly to the store, walked directly to the display, located the Guards, took a package from the shelf and took them to the cashier...all by myself (I'm a big boy now!).

OK, I did sort of hide them as I walked through the store, but I did it! And I even resisted my inclination to say something stupid to the cashier like, "If my father doesn't like these, may I return them?" Nope, kept my mouth shut (no small task for me).

This is one of the aspects of treatment I had not anticipated, but I find there are many things I am learning about myself as a result of the surgery...and that's a good thing.

Now I think I'll go buy some condoms.