Just when you think you've been tortured enough - Uro/Surgeon's call this morning

My dear friend: what hell you have been through - and continue to go through! It is simply not fair!!

Perhaps it is time to seek another urologist - sounds like this one has pushed you about as far as you can get pushed! I'm all for not being Mr. Nice Guy anymore.

I must admit that you (and your dear wife) have been much more patient in all this than I would have been. But then I'm a hot blooded Italian/German from New York City and we're not known for our patience.

Keep us posted David...you continue in my prayers.

Sephie from NY

Dang David, you just can't seem to catch a break of any kind from anyone. Here I sit happy as hell with the SP and you're getting the feeling that you dr. is against it. If my dr. was here today I would ask him about it and find out why he thinks anyone would be against it given what you have been through. As you know I am a real newbie to all of this, but even I can't understand this part of your equation.

I am going on a walk today to the clinic and if any of the dr.s are there I will ask the question just to satisfy my own curiosity. If I get any good info do you want me to pass it along?

As always you know that my prayers and blessings will be with you today and everyday until you get all of this resolved and behind you. My faith is such that I believe that you will find peace and positive answers soon.

Sonny

If it makes you feel any better we can all get out some vodoo dolls and stick catheters in them pretending its your urologist.

Larry

David,

Well here you go again and they must think your Superman!!!! And yes, I would take the anti-depressants in a heartbeat, any day over pain med. Use them until things get settled and then take as you need. Not sure what is worse somedays, the emotions are the pain, but either way I will do what I need to do to get thru a day always hoping that the next day brings relief. You are in our prayers brother as is your family. I assume you are still working on your book, and what is the title again?

Michael

Rotten news.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

When life hands you a bowel of lemons – you crush em – add Tequila with ice and get hammered.

Then you go to the Thursday meeting and do what you do so well – you deal with it.

The rest of us will be here to lend a hand if needed when you get done.

David, sorry to hear about more difficulties. You've come a long way and this will be in the rear view mirror soon. Our thoughts are with you.

Jake

Greetings, David.  I'm on the road again - St Louis this time - so didn't see your message until just now. Man, you are really getting the short end of things.  I was hopeful your last surgery would do the trick for your urine flow but seems like you have more to go through.  I'm so sorry you are having to go through this.  I know you will go to your doctors visit prepared with all the right questions to ask and comments to make.  We have to be proactive about our care and I know you will be.  Please keep us posted - we'll continue to pray for you.  David

Thanks David,

I am going to post this in two places to make sure you see it, regarding the Supra Pubic (SP) catheter.

I talked with a Dr. today the is on the staff here at Henry Ford. He describes himself as an academic Urologist. He has been researching and teaching for the past 35 years. He and Dr. Menon were having a conversation where Dr. M was discussing a new approach he wanted to take in the surgery to remove the prostate. They discussed the advantages of being able to do it this new way and were excited about the reduction of trauma to the body, the more completely and easily the prostate could be removed and how the nerve sparing and incontinence issues could be better addressed. Dr. M said that the real drawback was that during and after this method he could not have any urine escaping into the area. They continued to talk and arrived at the possibilities of using the SP. It was about this time that a patient came to see Dr. M about PCa and surgery. When the discussion turned to having a catheter for 1-2 weeks, the patient told Dr. M. that if had to have a cath he would not do the surgery. He had already had a bad experience with caths.

Dr. M discussed with him at length his ideas about the new surgical procedures and the use of the SP and the patient agreed to be the first.
So for the last 2 years it is the only way they have done the surgery. They found it superior to the old methods and it addressed their other patient continued complaints about the foley.

When I asked the academic about the apparent unwillingness of other Dr.s to using the SP he said most likely it would take them out of their comfort zone. Dr.s are so busy just seeing their patients and attending their needs they don't have or don't take the time to stay abreast of advances in technology, techniques and developments. Hence their reluctance.

I described your situation as best I could. Told him about the 7 caths in 10 months and now with IMRT and blockage the prospect of having another for 2 months. I told him that you sensed reluctance on the part of your Dr. to use the SP. He said that of course he did not have your medical info in front of him, but he could see where the SP would be the perfect solution for your situation. He said that this was one of the main reasons why it was developed in the first place. He also said that you should really question you Dr. about his reluctance and added that he would have to have a very valid reason not to be using.

He lives here in the apartment bldg and I see him many times a day. I approached him the first place because I remembered him from my first meeting with Dr. M back in July. He sat in on the meeting, didn't say a whole lot then but observed and heard everything. Seems he works very closely with Dr. M in continued development of new and better ways to deal with PCa surgery. He said that one of the reasons that Dr. M is so successful is that he has the resources and the time to continually review processes and does not live the life of the overworked private practice physician/surgeon.

The whole conversation seemed to make a lot of sense.

Thought this might help.

David,

Continue to hang tough.

JT

David I appreciate the offer for lunch. I have a better idea.

Weather this storm and get on the mind, my wife and I need a little trip. Been talking about that a lot since she had to take her disability retirement from work and I am using the GFMPH.

We'll pass through your area and take you and your wife to dinner.

You can't possibly know how much meeting you here has helped me in my time of need.

Whatta you say? Dinner sound good?

Sonny

JohnT - trying my best brother, getting to where I am afraid to look in front of me anymore. Enough is enough I say.

Tud, my wife and I are discussing the possibility of a switch in my medical team. Now that my open RP is 10 months plus behind me, and my guy has had 2 surgical shots at the blockages, wouldn't be that devestating to swtich if need be. However, we plan to go open minded to the Consultation with him Wednesday, and unless my wife and I are 100% convinced his new game plan makes sense, has a high probability of working, and knowing what his back up plan is if it doesnt work in the midst of salvage radiation, its not going to happen, sedated or not. Not as concerned about the pain factor (that's what drugs are for), as I am in a failed attempt again or a misguided plan, always thankful for your thoughts and ideas

Sonny, refresh my memory, know you had your surgery in Detroit, but where do you hail from? I am right off of I-85, about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte, 10 miles west of Greenville SC. THis is the land of great BBQ if you like that.

geezer, good advice, not to sound cold or unreasonable, but i dont care about his comfort factor, i care about mine. if i wrote down a list of everything that transpired on this journey from a shock and awe pain point of view, no one in their right mind would want to consent to anything else. i am a very patient person by nature, but this process has worn me down.

david in sc