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RRP - What am I in store for?

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Posted 9/8/2008 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hello all,

  First posting.  I go in for RRP up at Johns Hopkins this Wednesday, 9/10.  Was diagnosed on July 13, 2008 with Gleason 3 + 3 (PSA 1.2; 12 biopsies....< 5% on one biopsy).   Can anybody let me know what the first two weeks are going to be like after surgery?  I live about 75 miles away from Hopkins down in Va.  Will I be able to sit for a 90 minute ride?  Any recommendations on the best way to do this?  Could lay down in the back of the vehicle I guess.

 

  Any advice on how to make things easier on the days after surgery would be appreciated. 

Thanks,

Ken

Posted 9/8/2008 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome to the site and sorry you have to be here.

There's an almost identical question/post here you might want to read through:

Need advice for operating room and recovery 
https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1233208

Posted 9/8/2008 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
There are lots of posts to help you deal with post surgery tips. But here's mine on the travel.

I live in Orange Co. NY, and traveled 78 miles to the hospital in NJ to have my robotic surgery. I was discharged 28 hours after my surgery time, and the ride home was LONG. Make sure to leave at the peak of your pain pill! And have your pills ready and waiting at home.

Good luck to you.
Joel
Posted 9/8/2008 2:57 PM (GMT 0)
Woops
Made a mistake in my tag line
It should read ROBOTIC
I've made the change in the control panel
Thanks
Posted 9/8/2008 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sike -

I had surgery 2 months ago at Johns Hopkins and I live in VA.  If you want to talk on the phone, email me your phone number.  Click on Navy for email. 

- John

Posted 9/8/2008 3:32 PM (GMT 0)
"Will I be able to sit for a 90 minute ride"?

I rode 100 miles home 24 hours after surgery.  I found it easiest to sit with the seat-back partially (not fully) reclined.  As mentioned above, pain meds are helpful during the ride.  The ride home is one of the most memorable events of my post surgical experiences because it was the first "outing."  It was tough, but bearable.

Posted 9/8/2008 4:11 PM (GMT 0)
The experience I had with surgery was not difficult at all. There was little pain post operation. I live about 90 miles from where I had surgery and the ride home was easy. I was so happy to have it behind me that I can't recall any real issues with discomfort. The cathedar is probably the most inconvenient item. I wore some loose PJ bottoms and strapped the small bag to my calf.

You will find the surgery to go fast and very likely uneventful - this too shall pass! Blessings. RB


Age 61
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA .04
Posted 9/8/2008 5:54 PM (GMT 0)

Sike, I had my Robotic done here in Norfolk Virginia, went home less than 20 hours after they finished! I went home in my wifes Explorer, and wished that I had a pillow under me. I felt every bump as pressure on the bladder. The next day I went back to the Doctors office in my expedition, and with a pillow, had no problems. There was never any real pain from the operation, but felt like you just did 10,000 sit ups, just very sore. Good luck, you will be fine!

Beachbum turn

Posted 9/9/2008 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sike

My ride home was 4 hours. Mr Dr. told me to stop every hour get out and walk around. The good thing is you don't have to find a bathroom on the trip home. I only had a couple of tylenol for the ride home. My hospital gave me a foam donut to sit on and it made the difference. My Dr told me the ride home would be the worst part on the whole experience. Not a real problem except riding with my wife. Be the way she is not looking over my shoulder right now, ha ha.

Mika
Posted 9/9/2008 1:05 AM (GMT 0)
i flew home ona bumpy aircraft you wil have no probs at all recline seat just a bit piece of cake

Posted 9/9/2008 1:18 AM (GMT 0)
Sike
welcome to the Country Club no one wants to be a member of. Sorry you have to here but since you do jump and enjoy the fellowship. I can't ad to much more to what the other post had to say. I had RRP and a lymph node disection I stayed two nights in the hospital and I would say the first few days are tough so take it easy. Just because the pain medication works please do not try to be a super hero.
Stay in touch and let us know how things go. this is a great place for emotional and spiritual support.
peace and love
Dale
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