Wigged made it. Thanks everyone!

Dr. said all went well, and may even have a buyer for my collection of kinky condoms

Was in my room by 2:45pm. Drinking lots of h20. Went for first (very slow) walk around floor. No prob.

The worst is that every time the cath moves, it feels like a million bee stings

I've also been impressing everyone with my skill on the breath-o-magic thing.

Since laughing is going to be an issue for a while, I may be less entertaining.

My wife, the love of my life, has been just great. I'll see what tommorow brings. Hopfully my progress isn't to cloud by anesthsia.

Btw- haven't used any pain stuff, and in fact there is not even the little button on bed! I guess though I'll be pooping better without it.....


Again, thanks to everyone here for making this a whole lot easier.

Love and kisses, and happy Val day to you all. Hoist several for me!

Wigged

Good news that are done with the op. These new anesthesia drugs are great. You come back fast and feel pretty good. The robotic surgery is great as far as feeling good afterward. My was mostly painless except for be sore for a few days doing thing like getting out of a chair. Time for a good book in the recliner. Do thing to do any diastance walking while you have the catheter, it will get a lot more stingy the more you walk around. Main thing now is keep it cleaned off with a clean slightly soapy wash cloth to remove the crust of dryed muchus and dried urine that builds up , this causes irration and pain and lube up the first inch or so with neosproin ouintment. My male nurse told me about that, guys seem to know how to help guys best, however the female nurse got my catheter and leg catheter supporter fixed up and she was help too. Well, I hope you have a good trip home and rest comfortably at home.

Ron

Hoping your recovery is great and no more cancer going forward!!!

You are now on the recovery side of this

All the luck for your future.

Ted.
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While in the Hospital...morphine. The catheter is the worst part. I agree with questionaboutit...the catheter should be part of criminal punishment. When you get home...unhook the bag and take a long, hot shower. Detrol for bladder spasms. Once the cath is out...100x better. <bobr>
------------------------------------------
Age: 54
Routine Physical on 10-20-2010 DRE Normal
PSA 4.3, up from 0.6 5 years prior
PSA 0.6 on 10-25-2005
PSA 0.4 on 7-30-2004
PSA 0.5 on 5-9-2002
Followup with Urologist on 11/10/2010 after elevated PSA; DRE noted slight bump
November 30th, 2010 had prostate biopsy.
December 9th, 2010, Biopsy results 3 of 12 cores positive.
LLB: Gleason's 4+3=7, 11 MM Tumor Length/15MM Core Length (73%)
LLM: Gleason's 4+4=8, 12 MM Tumor Length/15MM Core Length (75%)
LM: 0.1 MM Tumor Length (1%)0.1 MM Tumor Length
Urologist recommended robotic removal using da Vinci method.
RALP Surgery 12/27/2010 Released: 12/30/2010
Thunderbird Banner Hospital, Glendale, AZ
Post-Surgery Pathology: GS 4+5=9
Pathologic Staging: pT3a, N0, MX; location: Left Side; Volume: 10%
Margins: Left posterior inked margin focally involved
Extraprostatic Extension: Observed
Seminal vesicles: Not observed
Lymphatic/Vascular Invasion: Not observed
Catheter: Removed 15-days after surgery

Post-OP Followup on 1/11/2011; Catheter/Staples removed
Adjuvant IMRT 8 Weeks Post-OP.
No exercise for 4 Weeks Post-OP.

Radiation Oncologist Initial Consultation on 1/18/2011

Wigged, it's great to hear from you!

Couple things about the catheter. One is that you might need some lubricant. My nurse (a guy) put some on me that first night and it made a big difference. I think it was lidocaine jelly, from a tube. Also, the pain from there and everywhere else will go down as the days progress.

I think that since I had read all the stories about how the catheter was so bad, I was expecting the worst, so in the end it wasn't so bad.

DJ

Lookin' good Wig! Free WiFi in the rooms, hospitals have come a long way! That breathing contraption looks like a joke but it's not..the anesthesia gas really messes up your lungs so it's very important to get them opened up and full of fresh air again..otherwise, pneumonia..Do they have those leg squeezers on you? Makes it tough to sleep..They kept asking me if I needed / wanted any pain meds but I never needed any..When they discharge you, get all the catheter equipment you can out of them, including an upper thigh velcro band that has a separate strap to hold the catheter firmly in position so it causes minimal irritation..Baggy, loose fitting flannel pants with an elastic waist-band work pretty good..

Great news! Now you can just look forward to getting better. Wishing you a fast recovery. Regards,

Joe

Good to hear things are going well. Down hill from here. daveshan is right about the sleeping but that for me was outweighed by the dangling tube when I walked.

Thanks everyone. I will be going home tonight, 30 hours after surgery!

Feel pretty good, but had a sleepless night. I also needed pain med about 3:00am. This am did a bunch of walking but may have slightly over done that. I was given a noro (sp). Took a while but finally kicked in.

Drain from side removed and that freaked me out, as did the bandage things that cOver the steri strips. Once I stand and am more or less vertical is OK, but sitting down or standing is achy, getting into a Toyota corolla should be fun!

Wife tOld me that there are five incisions. I haven't been able to get myself to lOok yet.

Looking forward to being at home with the mrs. And our cats.

Best to all.

W-O

CONGRATULATIONS WIGGED

FIRST STEP OF MANY IN CONQUERING PC AND SOME OF THE AFFECTS OF RP

TAKE YOUR TIME AND HEAL.

Like my wife says - MILK IT AS LONG AS YOU CAN!!!

Hi everyone.

An update from the rainy Midwest. Tomorow the cath comes out. Cath has been the worst part of recovery. Been keeping line and what's left of my penis clean as possible to prevent infection. I told my wife that if I view th tip of my overly swollen belly, it sort of looks like Larry of the Three Stooges, complete with the side hair thing.

I digress.

I must be really sensitive, I swear I feel every tiny movement. I also think I am picking up a radio station connected to this thing. WHELL.

Doing tons of walking, went shopping with the Mrs. yesterday.

I hadn't pooped since surgery on Monday. On Thursday called doc's nurse. She said could take four to five days. She must have had some magic button, within 20 minutes of my somewhat panicky call, I had one of the best doodies of my life. Our plumber my not be as amused as me, and the wife says enough of the potty-mouth ready.

Again I digress.

I'm currently still moving in sort of slow motion, mostly trying to not disturb the plumbing.

So after the cath removal the next thing is the path report which should come in this week.

Best to all.

W-O

May you enjoy life without the catheter!!!

Good luck,
Ted.