Scheduled for open radical prostatectamy

I am a newbie here to this forum. Enjoyed what I have read so far. Getting ready to have prostate removed in late January. Any advice on getting ready? I am 47, expecting to have open surgery to remove prostate, seminal vesicles and lymph nodes. I was diagnosed with metastatic PC a year ago and have been on casodex, Firmagon, Taxotere, etoposide/cisplatin and now Lupron.
Thanks,

Everything of the best with the operation.

Gunner34
Good luck with the surgery. I had open surgery at Johns Hopkins with no complications. Believe it or not, I did kegals about 10 times . I didn't need them. I was dry after 13 weeks and never wore more than one pad. I really believe that the expertise of the surgeon at re-connecting the urethra and bladder makes a difference in terms of regaining continence. My surgeon said he was very happy with the re-connection. I'm a believer in open surgery being superior to robotic surgery.
Bob
_____________________________________________________________
DOB January 1944
1981: prostatitis
2000-2013 BPH treated with finasteride & tamsulosin; low T treated with androgel
PSA History:
Pre 2009 0.4-.6
11/2011 2.2
8/2012 2.7
2/2103 5.5
4/2013 6.1
5/2013 6.6
11/1 2013 0.1

6/2013 Bx:PCa Gleason 4+4=8 (Bostwick), 4+5= 9(Johns Hopkins), 2/6 cores, 10%, 40%, DRE neg. (Stage PT1c)
7/2013 bone scan and pelvic MRI negative
9/7/13 open RRP, Johns Hopkins, Ted Schaeffer MD PhD.
9/9/13 Pathology: 33G, both nerves spared, SVI, EPE and 4mm pos. margin at base (Gl7), Stage PT3bN0M0)
9/20/13 Foley and staples removed
Continence: one pad per day for 13 weeks, now none. ED pre and post op.
Watchful waiting until next PSA Feb 1, 2014

Gunner 34,
All the best to you and "kudos" to your uro and medical staff for thinking "outside the box", there have been few members here that have been "debulked". It makes sense to me!! Please keep us informed and possibly let us know where you are having surgery. With your attitude you will be fine.
Bill

Gunner,

I totally agree with Andrew. Get as much done around the house now. You won't be able to lift much or be able to help your wife during your recovery.

Keep doing those exercises and working out as much as your time permits.

You'll be surprised how quickly you'll recover from surgery. I'm now 9 weeks and I feel great. The only issue will be the catheter and it will be gone before you know it.

Keep us updated and let us know your results. The guys on this site are so helpful, so don't be afraid to ask a question.

Tailwinds..........Berk

Gunner-

I highly recommend you read Dr. Mulhall's book on ED and/or watch the YouTube videos. Links in my signature below.

Best of luck with the surgery!

-Gedman

Gunner,
Stop In at the America Legion in LaCrescent, Mn any Tuesday @ 6 and I'll buy you a beer.
Bill

This was once a sticky, but got upstaged,

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1717641

My biggest suggestions for "before surgery around the house" are:

Take a belt, and loop it off your side. Yes, it sticks out. Now walk through your home. If the loop hangs on anything, FIX IT OR MOVE IT OR REMEMBER TO NOT GO THERE. The loop represents your catheter tube. If that hangs on anything, you will either scream or cry in pain.

Get a bucket, 3 gallons or so. You will put this at your bedside, and hang the cath bag upright in it while you try to sleep. Two objectives - 1) Keep the bag upright so it drains well, 2) protect your floor from the inevitable drain clip failure. The bucket wil be your friend.

Buy a group of incontinence products to have for the first few days. I leaked severly around the cath tube, so used the Depends (or other brands, if you can't find Depends) pants that have a velcro side (so-called adjustable), and can be put on around the tube without pushing the cath bag through the leg hole.

For the day you go to get the cath removed, have a couple of "pants" 

available, and some extra heavy pads to put in the pant as a first liner. Also get some "underpads" to put in the car seat, and under your side of the bed, just in case.

Some complain that they bought , but didn't need, the pants & pads. I hope you are so lucky (I was not), in which case give the extras to a local homeless support group. There are guys with our same issues that live in the street.

 

You are in a very good place here. I could not have done it without the knowledge and support of the people who contribute on this site. Best of luck!

These responses are great - thank you again! I had to laugh hard and out loud when I followed the link by 142, especially the line about wetting yourself while talking to a complete stranger. Just really good stuff.
Alleyoop, how are you doing?

I leave today for surgery tomorrow at Mayo. I'll post results. See you on the other side!

Hey Gunner

Good luck , the whole RALP experience is really all pretty easy to deal with. In 10 days the worst will be over and the worst is not that bad. Drink, walk, rest, heal

Take care and see you on the other side

Pat

Fired up for you, Gunner... Like Highlander and some others... Mayo Clinic in Rochester is where I had my procedure performed. I flew from Dallas to have it there.

If you're on the 5th floor say HI to all the nurses for me! What a TREMENDOUS experience.

You're in GREAT hands.

Looking forward to the other side postings.