Home from surgery

I am home after surgery on the 5th. I spent one night in the hospital (which was more than enough for me) and am home resting. Although it has been prescribed, I have not had reason to take narcotic painkillers. So far since I came home yesterday it has only been Extra Strength Tylenol. The only major discomfort has been some major stomach cramps as my gut begins working again. I had the ON-Q pain reliever system installed and since it is now empty I will be pulling the tiny tubes out soon.

The surgeon said he saved both right and left nerves and although he wouldn't guarantee anything, I am hopeful. He did say that my prostate was considerably larger than the 50cc he had originally estimated. I go back on the 12th to have the drain and catheter removed and review the biopsy of the removed prostate.

So far so good.+

p.s. My company announced a major layoff the day of my surgery but so far it doesn't appear I will be affected.

Congratulations! on what seems to have been a successful surgical procedure, coming home and for still being employed!

about the pain:  On the way home from the hospital I filled the pain relieving medicine prescription . . . and never used it.  I, like you, did use the Tylenol but just a couple of times.  I was surprised I didn't encounter pain past the first day or two (mostly because my lower back hurt).+

about the catheter:  It was a non-issue for me and not a bother/annoyance . . . but I read comments from other people mostly to the contrary.  Sometimes, now, I wish I had the catheter connected!

Slow and easy wins the race. 

Welcome home!

 

It is great that you are one step towards recovery.

I presume that your Dr told you to walk and it is important. Walking will promote healing and prevent some constipation problems. Walking also strengthens the pelvic floor and thus will promote return to continence. I set up a program of walking twice a day going farther each day.

The catheter is no fun, but you do get used to it. The worst part for me was that I had to sleep in the same position all night and woke up aching. After a couple of days I figured out how to adjust the night bag to give me a little mobility and that helped.

Jack,

Glad to hear from you and best wishes during the "Catheter Chapter" of this book. Once I felt that I could walk around, albeit slowly, I got out of my chair, hooked up the leg strap and went for a walk in the Spring rain. The birds were chirpping, the air smelled like Spring, flowers blooming and I was in fact re-born having had the surgery and related decisions behind me. Though I was tethered and still tender, it was the best feeling that I had since being diagnosed. I still feel that way.

Get out there and poke around the neighborhood.

TeddyG

Greetings, Jack.  Welcome to the other side.  Glad things have gone well so far.  I would also recommend that you make sure you are taking a stool softener.  It will help with the stomach cramps as you begin to eat again.  We'll also be waiting to hear a good pathology report in a few days.  Hang in there!  David

Hey, Jack

Glad you're on this side of the healing. Walking is the best exercise you can do at this point, so keep it up. Heal well and you'll feel much differently once that daggone catheter is out. It's like the last day of school. Freedom!
Bob

Congrats Jack:  Hope you healing continues in such a positive direction.  Welcome to the other side.

Hey Jack, welcome to the healing side, good to hear everything went well. All the best , Jake



Age 56
DRE 12/22/08 PSA 1/09 3.4 PSA 2/09 3.8
Biopsy 3/9/09 3 out of 12 positive
one core 80% one 40% one 2%
Gleason 6 Cat Scan Neg.
di vinci robotic surgery at Mount Sinai NY 4/23/09
both nerves spared
margins and nodes clear
catheter out in 7 days 4/30/09

Great work. Now the healing begins. You should remember to walk daily. It was most helpful to me during the healing. You have my thoughts and prayers for the coming days and for your job.

Peace,

Tony

See profile update below

ETA The surgeon gave me a sample of Levitra in the 20mg dosage as that was all he had. Could these be cut into halves or quarters?