prostatectomy and hemorrhoids

Hello, and welcome cease, I agree, sorry you need to be here, but glad you found us. Most of that pain you described is very common among men here with recent surgeries, whether it be robotic or open. One thing they will all tell you, is to drink plenty of liquids, to keep everything flushed out of you after surgery, and to use stool softeners as often as needed. And no, you aren't suppose to be doing enemas after the surgery, didn't they give you a check list of do's and don'ts when they sent you home? if the pain is too much, I would be speaking to my dr. about something mild for the pain, no need suffering needlessly. I have been out of surgery a bit over 3 months, and it can still hurt up there if I sit on anything too hard for too long, i.e. a hard wooden stool or chair. Find you a nice comfy place to rest and sit, use extra or even special donut pillows if it would help. you are only 18 days out of surgery, so please be patient as your body heals and sorts all the changes out. my best to you, keep us posted of your progress.

david in sc

cease,  I also have UC, although it is in remission at the present time.  I did have problems with pain and bleeding in the rectum area.  it was bright red blood and I can only imagine it was roids or fissures.  I did not have a BM for 6! days after the RPP.  the first week of BM was when I had the pain and blood.  all is well now.  be sure and drink plenty of fluids and use the stool softners if needed but check with your Doctor first. 

I still seek out the most comfortable chair at work and at home.  we have a tall metal stool at a PC work station at work and I can only sit at that stool for a few minutes before I can't stand it anymore. 

Hi Cease,

I am just a 2 days ahead of you post surgery. I never really had any pains such as you described. Just a little tenderness when sitting -- and now that is waning as well. Sorry to hear about your UC and IBS -- that's a ***** for sure when piled onto all the surgical fallout. Also my first BM was on day 4 (in the middle of the night). Can only describe it as Glorious and Wonderful and so were all the ones after that. Amazing what we get excited about in our old age.

Checklist?? What Checklist? We don't got no Steenkin' checklist! I got nothing except take it easy and do you have any questions? From my doc and PAs.
(and of course No Sex Before The Big Game -- Six weeks out).

Likewise on getting up a couple of times in middle of the night to urinate. Not so much a full bladder bursting just a little urge and I figure I better get it out before it comes out all by itself.

Same with stitches -- healing nicely and I feel hardly any discomfort now when twisting or turning or even getting in and out of the car. (Did you have staples over stitches or just tape?? I loved the tape method -- dunno if they could do it that way because i am so thin at tummy there or what -- but was well appreciated).

keep on keepin' on ...

jim

Thanks for all the replies.

As for a list, all I got was 'listen to your body'; but a list of do's and don'ts as well as what to really expect would have been great; although I am sure some people would not want that much info.

As for listening to my body I hear loud and clear! I did call the doc office yesterday after I submitted to this forum and they recommended pain killers and Prep-H. The latter seems to help some.

I know its really early so I will just hang in there.

I noticed you all had listed your scores - a lot like golf. Mine was a 3 and 3 on the ol Gleason and 1TC. Doc said the prostate had more cancer than expected from the biopsy but it most likely was confined to the prostate only.

Once I learned I had cancer the next morning my wife and I talked with the doctor and he gave us all the options. I had assumed it was most likely cancer back in December and decided then and there I would approach it like Arnold Palmer - just take the darned thing out and get on with it. I even mentioned this to the doctor but he insisted I think it over and was willing to give me names of other physicians that do other approaches (radiology and robotic etc.). A few days later I called and made the appointment for surgery.

The day prior to the surgery I wrote a letter to Arnie and he replied about 10 days ago. I'd like to share this with you:

"Dear John:

Thank you for your letter concerning your recent diagnosis of prostate cancer. You seem to have a positive attitude about it, which will go along way in your treatment. Through my involvement with the Prostate cancer Foundation, I know that the medical community has made great strides through fine research and I am sure that you and your doctors have made a wise decision in your treatment.

Good luck with your surgery and I know you'll be back playing golf in no time at all.

Sincerely,

Arnold Palmer"

To that I can only say I hope sooner than latter.

Thanks to all of you.

Sounds like the same pain I had for about 8 weeks post op. It got really bad and I could only sit in my recliner in a reclined position to keep the pressure off that area.  This is pretty difficuly when the worst of the pain is occurring while supervising the concrete guy who is poruing the footing to set a new house. (trailer)  I must have had 3 or 4 cusions under me in the patio and a caraffe of coffee in the patio.  Someone should have told me that the concrete guy could not read a blueprint. (God bless him, he fought in Korea)

Happy healing.

Thanks for posting this information. I also had some pain but it now seems to be somewhat the norm. I'm one of a few people that actually like prunes. They work super fantasic as a softner and are good for you to boot. One other thing I observed, when you gotta go, don't delay and go immediately or the pain gets a whole lot worse.