Robotic surgery tomorrow

I'm 51yrs old with a PSA level of 4.5 and 2 cores out of 12 were 50% scored as 3+3 Gleason. I opted for robotic surgery because of my age and desire to get it out of there mentality. I'm really hoping and know my chances are good that it hasn't spread out side of the prostate. Tomorrow at 7 am I am scheduled to go under the knife. I've learned so much from reading this forum over the past 6 months. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't starting to get a little nervous today. I was coping extremely well up until now. I know many have had good luck with this type of surgery and recovered well. But still the fear starts to set in and you start to second guess your decisions.

I did four nights in Vegas the week before my surgery, I was surprised that I was able to put it out of my mind the entire trip. I remembered shortly after the plane touched ground however. Now it's been six months & and I'm glad it's all behind me.

Best of luck tomorrow, check in and let us know how your doing when you can. I wish I would have found this site before my RALP.

had robotic surgery here in Uk 6 weeks ago. made right decision. No pain afterwards, apart from where incisions made of course. 15 hours after op up and about, showering and shaving. Walking along corridor. next day out. first week very tired so mainly resting with a little walking. second week, after catheter out, increased walking.
6 weeks on and got my first psa result...undetectable!!incontinence sorted out last week.
This week have been swimming twice and in gym(only gentle workouts of course).
i feel marvellous. The op went so well.the surgeon was so experienced and after care superb. The recovery is quick and yes i was alitle sore after the op, but nothing to complain about.
We understand your anxiety but remember you just go to sleep and come out the other side.
Good luck and let us know how you go on.

Dude! I'll be adding my prayers to LupronJim's tomorrow at 7. I enjoy praying, but it feels easier when I'm asking for something that already has a very high probability of success.
Tomorrow all those "I wonder what THAT will be like?" questions will start getting answered very fast and what you will discover is: "All those guys on the HealingWell forum were right. I can handle this - and soon it will be all behind me."
Relax now. You are in great hands. We're anxious to hear from you on the other side.
Mikey

Thanks so much for the prayers and support, I already feel a little better.

Like the nurse in bikini idea!

iceman

you'll do great, for me the prep the day before was the worst of it. like clanda I was bracing for all the possibilities but have been extremely fortunate so far (hoping the same for you). they'll give you the meds and you'll wake up the other side being the same old iceman only you won't have to get up to go pee for at least a week.

good-luck and speedy recovery.

carl  

Iceman,

No worries! I am also just past the 1 month mark, my RALP was on 12 NOV, just had my cath taken out yesterday. For me that was the worst thing. Now just trying to figure out how to control the pee machine but feeling better everyday. You are going to be fine, good luck, look forward to hearing back from you in a few days. All the best.

Good luck!

Think of tomorrow as the day you become cancer free again.

Yes, it is a nervous time. But you may surprise yourself at how calm and accepting you will feel on your way for the surgery. It is something that must be done -- so it will be done and quickly be overwith.

Also you can be very confident because you seem to have all the numbers in your favor.

So tomorrow you'll just take a "nap" and later that morning you'll be on the other side with the rest of us surgery guys.

Looking forward to hearing good reports in the future! :)

Chuck

Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Semi-firm erections now happening 14 months post-op & VERY slowly getting a bit stronger.

Good luck tomorrow and here's to an excellent post-surgery report and recovery!

Good luck Iceman!

I am 16 days post RALP and feeling better every day. As someone said, making your decision was the hardest part. Now let the medical people do their thing. We will all say a prayer for you tonight.

Scooter

Good luck, new friend.

Look forward to seeing you safely on "the other side", once you are in recovery.

Best wishes, hope your surgeon does a first class job, and rids you of this curse we call PC.

David

Iceman- Thinking of you on your special day to become cancer free.....we will see you on the other side !!!

Cheers !!!

Curt

I think Iceman will be checking in with us by 5 PM showing that he is walking with us on the other side.....

Happy Holidays !!!

Curt