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One month today.

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 7/28/2012 2:44 PM (GMT 0)
Just checking in. Today marks one month since my open RP surgery. I took 3 1/2 weeks off (surgery plus a funeral), and went back to work this week. Getting back to work has kicked my #$@. Lot's of fatigue starting around noon every day. By around 4, it goes away and I'm good until around 8:30. So far, I'm just chalking it up to getting back into the swing of things.

On other fronts, I was seriously stressed about having to go back to work with all the leaking. It was still really bad (about 7 pads/day) last week. This week, though, I've been making it all day at work with just 1 pad (about 6am - 4:30pm), so things are definitely starting to improve. Part of it is probably because I've kept to a strict schedule of going to the bathroom every 30mins-1hour. Barely leaking, if at all, at night. I even started to see a little life down below the other day. When I go back for my appointment next Thursday, my urologist is going to start me on Cialis, or Viagra, or whatever, so I'm feeling very optimistic there.

Anyway, hadn't posted here in a while, so just wanted to check in.
Posted 7/28/2012 2:48 PM (GMT 0)
That's a great report. Sounds like you are in a good place after a month and have even better progress to look forward to. Keep on keepin' on... cool
Posted 7/28/2012 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
I forgot to mention, that I've had no regrets about the surgery, even when I was leaking like crazy. I just wanted it out and didn't want to throw away a bullet by using radiation first. That's just a personal decision, but I (hopefully) have too many years ahead of me to do that. As for the impotence, if it happens, I just take the Six Million Dollar Man approach...we have the technology, we can rebuild him, faster, stronger, better (longer?, I wish!)... :)
Posted 7/28/2012 2:59 PM (GMT 0)
Cwren, congrats on your surgery.For me it felt great going back to work and just worring about the everyday stuff.
Posted 7/28/2012 3:04 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks guys. Now I just need to start doing the frequent PSA testing. Hopefully, I'll be initiated to the 'zero' club soon!!!
Posted 7/28/2012 3:19 PM (GMT 0)
I'd put $ on that you'd be in the zero club...there is a seat waiting for you too.
Posted 7/28/2012 3:21 PM (GMT 0)
Yep, here's hoping that after your first post PSA test you'll become a member of the zero club! 

Mike
Posted 7/28/2012 3:41 PM (GMT 0)
So much of PC recovery is about attitude. I like your attitude, sense of humor, and willingness to adapt.

You will continue to do wel,.

Good luck on your journey.
Posted 7/28/2012 5:29 PM (GMT 0)
Great recovery report, especially sincey you had open surgery and were able to go back to work that soon. i, too, had open surgery, and was still on a catheter over 2 months after surgery, and wasn't even remote shape to go back to work.

Sounds like your incontinence issues are settling down, which is great. And if you are getting a stir down below this soon, that should be incouraging.

Don't push yourself too hard, you are barely coming on a month out of a very major and complex surgery.

david
Posted 7/30/2012 11:38 AM (GMT 0)
  Glad to hear your doing so well just one month out of surgery! I was back to work within the first month like you, just take it easy and things will improve daily. I had my surgery on December 1 and it wasn't till the end of May that I stopped using any pads. I probably could have stopped with the pads sooner but ended up running out one weekened and just didn't go get any more. Good luck to you!  Jeff  
Posted 7/30/2012 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Cwren, glad to hear you are progressing well.  What was your pathology report post-surgery?

Jim

Posted 7/31/2012 11:15 AM (GMT 0)
My surgeon said the pathology report looked good, as expected. I have an appointment Thursday and intend to ask a lot more details and get a copy of the report. To be honest, I was still in pain and on pain meds when he released me, so all I heard was that it was what was expected.

Charles
Posted 7/31/2012 11:53 AM (GMT 0)
Great attitude!
Keep on healing and resting too, you are bound to feel fatigued after surgery.
Sounds like you are doing great so far.
Wishing you well.
Posted 8/1/2012 12:02 AM (GMT 0)
Sounds like things are going well. It will be nice to see the doctor on Thursday and get the report with a clear head.
Posted 8/1/2012 12:36 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone. This board has been a huge support during this whole ordeal.

Charles
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