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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 7/1/2012 11:27 PM (GMT 0)
I had my open RP Thursday. Just got out of the hospital today because I was running a fever, then having severe gas pains. My stomach is still swollen like a pumpkin, but it does feel some better. Also got back the pathology report today. The doc said the report looks good. The cancer appears to have been contained to the prostate (clear margins, no margins? I can't remember which means which). Also, the lymph nodes he removed were clear as well as the seminal vesicles, no perinial breach (or whatever it's called). So, hopefully, I'm in the clear. The catheter is a bit of a pain, but compared to the sever gas pains, it's nothing. I get it removed on July 11 at my follow-up appointment.

Charles
Posted 7/1/2012 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Charles,
Welcome to the "other side". Sounds like the report is excellent.

Standard suggestions now are to walk as you can even if only briefly, but several times a day (yes, I know it is tough with the cath), drink lots of water to keep the trash flushed out of your bladder, and most important, don't hesitate to call your surgeon immediately if anything seems wrong.

By the way, if the testicles have not swelled to the size of Ruby Reds yet, they may. I was caught unaware by that one. Couldn't even find where that cath tube was coming from. Scared me big time, but seems it is pretty normal.

Keep us posted.
Posted 7/1/2012 11:42 PM (GMT 0)
I like the way that report reads.

All the best for a quick recovery.
Posted 7/1/2012 11:45 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the heads up on the swelling. I hadn't heard that, and they haven't swollen yet. Yeah, that would have freaked me out a bit. I'm drinking tons of water (I drink a lot anyway), and am walking as often as I can. My dr. was a little surprised that the nurses didn't get me up walking on Friday. They did get me to sit up some, but only twice. He said I should have been made to walk Friday and maybe I wouldn't have gotten nearly the gas pain I did. I walked a lot in the hospital yesterday and this morning. I even got up and walked at 2am this morning because I was having gas pains. Now that I'm home, I don't have a long hallway to walk, and it's really hot here, so walking outside is really uncomfortable. I'm just trying to stay off the couch and mosey around the house as much as possible.
Posted 7/2/2012 12:33 AM (GMT 0)
It took me about two weeks to get rid of all the gas. But the walking helped with the process so like has already been said walk in the house as much as you can. And about the swollen testicles yes I had some of that but it passed quickly. Much quicker then the gas.
Posted 7/2/2012 12:38 AM (GMT 0)

Charles – That’s a great report  smilewinkgrin congratulations. Clear margins, clear nodes, clear SV – awesome!  And you’re getting your walking in and drinking plenty of water – sounds like you are on your way. Btw, there may be bruising down there as well. Best of luck on your recovery. turn

Posted 7/2/2012 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Congratulations on the optimistic report. One thing I encountered was severe constipation for the first few days following surgery. I called back to the UR's nurse & she advised Milk of Magnesia which finally did the trick for me.

There's lots of great advice to be had on this forum. It has really helped me deal with my recovery.
Posted 7/2/2012 1:17 AM (GMT 0)
One quick question. Is it normal for you catheter to leak a little when you cough?
I mentioned it to my dr today, and he didn't seem very concerned. Just seems a
little odd to me.
Posted 7/2/2012 1:39 AM (GMT 0)
It is not unusual to leak.
All the best1
Posted 7/2/2012 1:52 AM (GMT 0)
Charles, good luck on your recovery.

A little leaking at the catheter is very normal and expected. The gas pains should ease over the next few days. I too had open surgery almsot 4 years ago. Your pathology reports sounds very good right now.

Hope you do well in the days and week ahead.

david in sc
Posted 7/2/2012 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
Have you had a BM yet? That's always a milestone.. With open surgery, no gas was injected into your abdomen like they do with the robotic method..So it's probably just the normal post-surgical pain.. The walking is important..Even if you must do it early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid the heat...It makes a big difference in how quickly you recover..yeah, the leg-bag is a real pain...There is nothing fun or entertaining about any of this...
Posted 7/2/2012 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Charles --- Best wishes for a speedy and complete recovery from your

open RP.

Your Post-Op reports sound great.

I would suggest asking your URO about taking Colace, a stool softener. I took it for the first 6 weeks following my open RP in 2004 and it really helped avoid straining during a bowel movement.

Just a thought.

Best of luck.

Bob

 

Posted 7/2/2012 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
Charles great news about your pathology and recovery. The leaking when you cough is normal and after the catheter is out you can leak when you cough even after you regain continence, I still leak a drop or two a year post surgery when I pass gas as well.

I look back at my first year post surgery and it is amazing how fast it went by and how great I feel now. Keep up the good recovery and maybe plan on attending one of our GFMPH gatherings it can be a life changing experience as it was for me.

Terry

Posted 7/2/2012 4:36 PM (GMT 0)
Last year when I had my RP, it was too hot outside also. So I just walked from one end of the house to the other repeatedly, carrying my catheter bag in a 1 gallon bucket. I give the walking credit for my fast recovery. Charles, is your Dr. going to give you a copy of you post op path that confirms your gleason score?
Posted 7/2/2012 4:58 PM (GMT 0)
Srartech, I plan on asking for it when I go in to get my cath out on the 11th.
Posted 7/2/2012 5:04 PM (GMT 0)
Charles it will be a good thing to have a copy of the report for your records. My URO told me that my pathology report was great on the day my catheter came out but it wasn't until I joined HW a month later that I should get the report copy. I was stunned to find out things like my prostate weighed 69 grams and the tumor was 60% of the organ even though it was 100% contained with negative margins.

Terry TWG

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