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New to Forum - DaVinci Surgery Scheduled for 07/25/11

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Posted 7/21/2011 2:18 PM (GMT 0)
Hi folks-

I have been making use of this forum as an observer for the last month or so, and I am so happy to have found you all!

I am simply reaching out for some support and encouragement as I face my surgery this coming Monday. Outside of my PCa, I am the picture of health: typical "baby boomer" who refuses to age (I run 3 miles about 4 days per week, and go to the gym regularly), all bloodwork and scans came back completely clean, no other chronic health problems. I suppose that is why I was completely blindsided by all of this.

I feel as if I am finally emerging out of the fog of the first several weeks. I have been focusing on positive imagery and reducing stress as much as possible. I eliminated caffeine from my diet because I didn't want to deal with caffeine withdrawal in the recovery room on top of everything else. I have been going to Mindfulness Meditation sessions at our local Integrative Care Center, and I will be going to a generic cancer support group this evening, which meets once per month. In addition, I have been using CDs to help me prepare for surgery through the use of affirmations and visualization. At this point, I can say that I am PSYCHED, and just want to get the surgery behind me.

My only major issue right now is with potential incontinence post-op; I am really working hard on staying positive with that, too. I think the running and walking can help, along with the Kegels I've been doing for the last several weeks.

I'm happy with my surgeon. While he is not the most warm and fuzzy individual, he's got a great reputation, has done many of these procedures, and is fellowship-trained in robotic prostatectomy surgery. A little on the young side (38?), but of that video game generation that is well-practiced in eye-hand coordination.

So - - - I am about to take the plunge. Please send positive vibes my way. Any other encouraging comments will be greatly appreciated; and, I suspect, you'll be hearing from me again soon!
Posted 7/21/2011 2:40 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad, Here's wishing you all the best  You seem to be extremely well prepared for the surgery.  I'm sorry this has entered your life, but I can't imagine what else you could have done to ready yourself, so now it's time to settle back and let the medical professionals do what they do so well.

We'll be thinking about you Monday and will wait to hear from you when you feel up to posting after the surgery.

 

Posted 7/21/2011 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Konrad,

Sorry to hear that you need to be here. I'm a novice myself, having been diagnosed just a week before you, although I'm still interviewing surgeons.

I'm also 54 and in generally good health and I know exactly how you feel about being blindsided. It sounds like you are doing everything possible to prepare yourself for surgery. It can only help.

You'll get good advise from the people here. Best of luck with your surgery. I hope you sail through uneventfully. Keep us posted on your progress.
Posted 7/21/2011 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad, yup, it's like getting hit in the back of the head with a bat! Feeling fine, until the check up comes around. I was caught by suprise, that's for sure.
I wish you the best with your up coming surgery. The cath will take some getting use to. The incontinence may or may not come your way. Mine is mostly due to stressors, cough, laugh, getting out of bed.
Posted 7/21/2011 3:24 PM (GMT 0)
Chin up!! All this will be over before you know it! Your stats point to an almost 100% success rate. Best of luck to you...
Posted 7/21/2011 3:59 PM (GMT 0)
Your stats alone might indicate an AS strategy, but your family history is a much stronger indicator that action right now is the prudent course.  Good luck with the surgery....the incontinence and ED will be issues that you can address and attack once on the other side.  Right now, the pathology report post surgery is your next goal.
Posted 7/21/2011 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad, as they say welcome to the club no one wants to join. There is a lot of knowledge and great support on this forum...glad you found us. Sounds like you are more than ready to dance with the bear...just take it one day at a time after surgery and allow yourself the rest and time to heal before pushing forward too hard. You sound like the type that might need your reigns tugged on from time to time so just take it slow and easy. We'll be thinking of you on Monday, sending positive thoughts your way and will be anxious to hear from you on the other side. Best of luck to you.
-Bob R.
Posted 7/21/2011 4:24 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, guys. It means a lot to me that you have taken the time to respond.

Yes, "active surveillance" was (briefly) considered, but I have been watching the progression of the disease in my father - it is now rather virulent - and I don't want to take any risks whatsoever.

Bob R. - you know me very well, and we just met!
Posted 7/21/2011 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,
All of us who have taken the PCa journey felt the same way you feel now. You have prepared yourself very well to deal with your surgery. Hopefully you will have a quick recovery and very few temporary issues. Incontinence is an individual thing that can be measured in days or months. ED may take longer although some have had no ED at all right from the start. Good luck.
Posted 7/21/2011 8:24 PM (GMT 0)
Welcome,I know this sucks. I will be 6 months ahead of you to the day. The first couple of days after catheter, I leaked like a faucet! I was using 8 to 10 pads a day(many shields) and kegeling all day long. before I knew it, I was dry at night and shortly,dry during the day. I still have unexpected gleeks during the day. most of them stress related. I still wear a pad at work just to be safe. When I work, I do a lot of lifting ,climbing ladders, etc.
Your surgeon sounds just like mine..a real stick in the mud, but he knows his stuff! The other Uros in his group are great.
Good luck and keep us up to date.

P.S. ED is still an issue. But we deal with it!
Posted 7/21/2011 8:47 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,

The most positive vibes we can possibly give. The choice you make is the right one for you. Your young, the continence most likely will not be a problem after a few months. It took me six to get back where I expected it.

Mike
Posted 7/21/2011 9:05 PM (GMT 0)
You have prayers coming from me my PC brother. You made a decision that works for you and that is terrific. I think the worst part of any surgery is the waiting, the anticipation, the unknown. It is so much easier to deal with after the fact because you will have great information about your case via a cross section of any cancerous areas. That source of analysis will be available for you to send to other labs that specialize in PC IF IT IS EVEN NEEDED. Now, go gettum!
Posted 7/22/2011 3:25 AM (GMT 0)
Welcome my friend!

  You already have a great head start,in great shape and best of all a positive attitude.It is amazing how simular our stories are my Uro didn't give a warm feeling either but I didn;t feel I had the time to shop,now I wish I had,the surgery went well,but they have been slow to react to my needs and after almost two months I'm down to a few pads a day,depending on activity but I have other complications,the whole UROLOGY ASSOCIATES office just seems compassion free,but like you I have pursued other avanues on my own ,Tia -chi has helped tremendouly,the energy thing is for real,these forums are the best as I am part of a few!HANG IN THERE WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!you will be fine!

GAMMS :-)

Posted 7/22/2011 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad, it sounds like you have really done your homework before surgery. After the surgery, just be (pardon the language) patient and follow through with the walking and take each day as it comes. Every one of us seems to have a unique timetable for the road to recovery. Take each day that you see some progress as a good day and take a day you don't see any progress not as a loss but as a reason to be optimistic about the day after.
Posted 7/23/2011 5:30 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,

I wish you well and understand trying to stay positive pre-surgery. You are in my thoughts as I await my Da Vinci surgery on August 1st. Good luck.
Posted 7/23/2011 5:50 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,
Wishing you best of success. You can do it! On the continence front, be patient but you will get it back. For some men it happens immediately. Progress is not always linear.  For me, it was a bothersome problem for maybe a month and then progress accelerated. I went for a while where I was virtually dry but was at risk for a dribble when standing up out of a plush chair/sofa or getting out of a car. I had to remember to "clench". But, at this point (7 months out) I don't even think about anymore. In fact, I am dryer than I have been in years if you factor in the post-void dribble that sometimes comes from an enlarged prostate.

Work on those kegels. I think it made a big difference to me. And, there are some very cool "extra benefits" from having strong PC muscles. I wish I had discovered that years ago.

Posted 7/24/2011 11:36 AM (GMT 0)
24 hours from now, they'll be wheeling me in. Still feeling optimistic; anxious to get this part of it over with. Thanks again, everyone.
Posted 7/24/2011 1:45 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,

Good luck tomorrow. You're numbers look very good (better than mine), and you've done everything you can do to prepare yourself.

In the next couple months it'll mainly be a matter of patience and attitude maintenance. The physical aspects of this are manageable. You seem like the type who can handle all of this well. Hang in there and you'll get through it just fine.

Let us know how you're doing when you get to the other side.

Jonathan
Posted 7/24/2011 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,

Surgery guy here as well - the night after my surgery was the best sleep I had gotten in months - not sure if it was all the drugs, or part the fact that this little part of the journey was over.

Write from the other side!

Posted 7/24/2011 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad, Well its just about prep time for your big day. Know that we will be thinking about you in the morning. Will be waiting for your update from the other side.

Cajun Jeff
Posted 7/24/2011 9:53 PM (GMT 0)

Good luck Konrad. Remember to get up and walk a little as soon as you can. Drink / walk / drink / walk...Keep us posted.

Jack

Posted 7/29/2011 4:47 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Konrad, you should be home and on your way to recovery by now. I had my DaVinci surgery almost 8 weeks ago on June 8th and can report I am doing great. I got the catheter out on June 15th and used  2 pads a day until July 1 when I found I could stay dry on my own. I think doing the Kegels religiously really help me get and stay dry so quickly. I was back to work in 3 weeks as well. The issue with continence was my biggest concern other than being cured. I am having issues with ED but I am positive I will overcome that soon too.

Best of all I can now say I am a cancer survior and that is one great feeling. smilewinkgrin

Posted 7/29/2011 5:00 PM (GMT 0)
Konrad,

All the best on your recovery from surgery. It felt like I had a new lease on life when I got out of the hospital. It pays off handsomely if you are in prime physical condition when you have the surgery; your recovery will be faster and you'll be back to running in no time. Hope to hear from you soon with an update. Take care and hang in there....Tim
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