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Posted 1/7/2015 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
Prato did you get the drain out? Me, I would stay until it comes out. Another bag to worry about, infection etc. Up to you of course.

Cheers, Doug
Posted 1/7/2015 11:53 PM (GMT 0)
Speedy recovery Prat. Glad it's over and you did well.
Posted 1/8/2015 1:43 AM (GMT 0)
Hey there Prat...I, like others, have not been able to log on since early Tuesday.  U-verse was "down" in tri-city area for me...28+ hours.  Oh, well...I was anxious to get an update on your surgery.  Have you used the Gas-X meltaways? 

That was why I stressed so vehemently, for you to have those on hand IMMEDIATELY following surgery.  No pills, no liquid, just place on your tongue.  While you're praying for that aforementioned "fart", the Gas-X would already have "dissolved" the gas throughout your shoulders, chest and abdomen.  I'm telling you (again) this is a miracle drug, unlike no other.  This isn't the time to play tough guy and resist pain meds, either.  Just PLEASE don't fall into the vicious cycle of meds on empty stomach/nausea/dry heaving. Be sure to take the softeners...those are not optional...or you will be begging for pain control while trying to have a BM.  Tiffany won't be able to get you through that one, friend.

I'm glad the procedure is in your rearview mirror.  Kudos=)

Healing Hugs~~Dixie

Posted 1/8/2015 2:42 AM (GMT 0)
Drain out, home. This is gonna be a long week
Not comfortable with the catheter, I have it in a bucket on the side of the recliner on the floor.
Posted 1/8/2015 3:00 AM (GMT 0)
Let me apologize in advance .....

I laughed so hard at, "Not comfortable with the catheter ......", like, who would be comfortable with an 18 inch plastic tube shoved up their .....?!? Wait till you walk around the house and catch the tube on the arm of a chair .... then you'll be real uncomfortable. I know, I did it twice!

OK, laugh over.

Here's wishing you all the best in your recovery. Things will start getting better tomorrow ... you're home.
Posted 1/8/2015 3:15 AM (GMT 0)
You may even learn to like applesauce;)

Whatever you do, please don't do like my dad.  He was CONVINCED that the catheter hurt SO BADLY, he would just take it out and it would feel better.   Well...He did.  My mom found him bleeding out in the bathroom floor, refusing to YELL for help.  The ER doctor told him that for once, he should have listened to his wife.  That was AFTER the doctor re-inserted the cath.

Take care (and listen to your wife...no matter how uncomfortable that may seem)

~~Dixie

Posted 1/8/2015 4:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hey Pratoman, congrats on coming through surgery so well that you could get home so quickly.

The lighthearted comments here demonstrate that we surgery guys have all been through the same and understand the discomfort you are in. But we know this is temporary and you will soon feel much better. Remember you are only a few hours away from major surgery, so you must expect to be feeling a bit rough right now.

I won't tell you that the catheter will soon be comfortable, but it will become less uncomfortable and it will be gone in a week or so. You will continue to feel a bit uncomfortable in the perineum area for a few weeks and you will need to watch how you sit down, but again that will get better and better each day.

Keep taking the pain meds and keep noting how much better you feel each day. And never lose sight of the fact that the cancer has now gone.

All the best.

Chas
Posted 1/8/2015 5:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Pratoman, Welcome to the other side! I was about 2 weeks ahead of you RALP 18 Dec 2014.

My path report sounded very much like yours, one positive margin so they took a bit more, no cancer in that. I also got to keep both nerve bundles! You want to get some Neosporin antibiotic gell to keep your catheter (Vicki???) and Willy sliding easily and it will help prevent urinary tract infections.

I was Gleason 6(3+3) on biopsy and whole prostate.

Sounds like you have great help at home. I live alone and my son took 1.5 weeks off his job in Shanghai China to come and help me.

I have sent you a private email with a couple more tips.

I hope you have as good a time with UI after the catheter come out. I only have a few drops on getting out of the car or my recliner etc. It is getting better. Do your keggles when the catheter comes out.

All the Best in 2015. You will feel better each day, it is an easy ride from here.

Sincerely, scientificlifestyle (Pat)
Posted 1/8/2015 6:39 AM (GMT 0)
Pratoman,

Welcome home. The cath will become your best friend until you catch it on something in the shower or just walking around. After catching mine during a walk, the leg bag became my new friend during the day. It was so much easier to walk around with it rather than the big bag. It did force me to get up, walk up some stairs to empty the leg bag. (Even though there is a bathroom down stairs.) But I see that as a positive. The catheter will become less of a pain but it will continue to let you know it is there. You just got to tough it out. Mine was in 17 days but I think you said it will be a week. Good for you...

I tried the Gas-X Melts but they only helped a little FOR ME. Take the stool softeners!!! I took them at least 3 times a day (my wife says) and within 2 days I passed enough gas that I worried about the house exploding. That was the end of that and I could walk totally upright and the length of my walks increased to about 3/4 of a mile right away. I got off of the pain medication as soon as I could as they all cause constipation and gas retention. I think it was day two at home I only took one and that was it. The operative pain was gone and just the stupid gas pain was left.

BTW... A friend had an open surgery and he had more pain than I did. Think of where the incision would be and everything they would cut through. It would be much more painful that what we did.

Hang in there and keep your story coming. It brings smiles of us remembering what we have tried to forget and is helpful for those in the process.

Glad to see you back on this side. Sounds like all is doing great!

Don
Posted 1/8/2015 6:09 PM (GMT 0)

Pratoman,

                   Good to see you are doing better. The new normal will come and go, before ya know it life will be back to almost normal. The good news is you have rid yourself of the beast. Once you go thru a few more PSA test with a zero report this will be a bad bad memory. I called my bag Old Yellow, of course the first few days I called it Red. But this too shall pass my friend. I don’t know if it has been suggested to ya but ointments like A & D ointment works well around the head of Mr. Happy while the catheter is in. Kind of keeps him soft and keeps the tenderness away.One of my biggest fears was having that thing pulled out of me. But it only takes a few seconds of minimal pain and it is gone. I am sure you have been told to take some depends and pads with you when you get the catheter removed. Don’t get discouraged if ya flow like a river for a few days.  Please please don’t think the next few weeks will be your new normal!! It is just a healing process that we all have gone thru. Bless you sir,we will be praying for a speedy recovery.

Posted 1/8/2015 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
"Wait till you walk around the house and catch the tube on the arm of a chair .... then you'll be real uncomfortable. I know, I did it twice!'

Ouch! I didn't even have surgery but when they did an ultrasound for seed placement they shoved one in me and it felt like the Alien from the movie that bursts out of the guy's chest.
Posted 1/8/2015 7:37 PM (GMT 0)
Glad you're home, and sounds like good results so far!

The cath likely will teach you some new definitions for what is annoying and what hurts. But it will make you even happier when it is gone -
devil
Posted 1/8/2015 8:09 PM (GMT 0)
Prat:

I remember shuddering, expecting tremendous pain with the catheter removal.

When the time came, the nurse said to take a deep breath. I did and asked her when she will be removing it. She said it was done! No pain or even discomfort, whatsoever

Mel
Posted 1/8/2015 8:22 PM (GMT 0)
So happy to hear that you are on your road to recovery! Your descriptions of what is happening brings back memories very clearly.
This will be so beneficial to the new people having surgery. Thank you.
Posted 1/8/2015 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the comments, I needed the reassurance. It's very discouraging, needing my wife to dress me and help me into the shower. Probably one of my most depressing moments.

I'm 2 days out of surgery, and hurting like a mofo. Surgery pain, and gas pain. Even tough I've passedsome gas. I had some eggs this morning, first solid food. It was good but I don't want to eat too much until things have had more time to heal, because I'm pretty scared f what might happen when it's time for my first BM. Even with the Colace.

I try to walk,but it's too cold outside , and I have a small house, . So I do laps around the,kitchen and living room, was doing 5 minutes at a time , but just went 8 minutes this afternoon.

Made appt to get cath removed next Thursday. Dr won't be there, technician does it and dr. Out that day. They said they would give me the path report that day too. I'd rather have the chance to discuss it with the dr so I asked that he call me if it comes in sooner. Hope he does. And if not , hope it's all good, I. High case I won't have questions.

I'm being really careful with the catheter, thanks yo everyone here, and no accidents yet. Urine is not red anymore, so I guess that's good. Since im not going outside in this weather, I just keep the big bag on and keep it in a pail which I walk around with when I do my walking.

Not much else to report. Very discouraged, but I know I need to be patient. Probably the worst thing for me was hearing a. Friend tell me beforehand that it was easy, no pain etc. My expectations were too high I guess.
Posted 1/8/2015 8:48 PM (GMT 0)
My 72 year bud who had his prostate Davinci'd out in August.... is now working out at the gym, planning a hiking trip to Italy, has a social life that goes constantly etc...... patience and ease and you will get there.....

MS
Posted 1/8/2015 8:53 PM (GMT 0)
Prato you're doing fine, you had surgery! There's going to be pain, some people have higher tolerance than others, that's all. You wouldn't be walking with severe pain,guarantee you that. Chin up Buddy, it'll get better everyday!

Cheers, Doug
Posted 1/8/2015 9:03 PM (GMT 0)
Pratoman,

There's a silver lining to that catheter: You can sit in the lounger as long as you like. Go ahead, have beer - have two! If you are handy you can drill a 1/2 inch hole in the floor and run a length of Tygon tubing right from the bag drain and into the sump pump! It's great - as long as nobody trip over the hose.

I have one more safety tip. If you decide to go mobile make sure to attach your bucket to a belt either around your shoulder or your waist. I can't tell you how many times I got up from the chair and walked away forgetting about the yellow purse. It's amazing how quickly we find a new normal.

Walk, drink, walk, drink....
Jeff
Posted 1/8/2015 9:20 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Prat...Don't be too hard on yourself=)  Now, as far as the "friend" who told you "it would be easy...no pain"...perhaps a big ole can of WA when you're feeling strong enough to operate the can opener!  IME, folks often won't tell you the hard part (recovery) because they want to be upbeat and supportive.  I, on the other hand, have witnessed this process with my dad.  I've also been on the receiving side of involuntary castration to save my so-called life.  I'm not one to sugarcoat and turd and serve it as a chocolate truffle.  I knew that as "prepared" as you "thought" you were...you really didn't have a clue.  That's okay, and why I suggest you cut yourself some slack.  Surgery (of any kind) is only MINOR for the non-recipient of said surgery.  I also knew that when you said you "couldn't imagine" not being able to manage the toilet/shower, that you were in for a rude awakening. 

Don't be embarrassed that you need assistance.  Pride is IMO, a wonderful thing...but as no place in your recovery process.  Flush it with your first BM---Yippee!  BE THANKFUL that you HAVE assistance...that you are not alone in this condition.  Many are alone in their battle, with no support, physical or moral.  YOU ARE BLESSED, my friend, though at this moment you don't feel that way.  You've got your "siblings" here at HW who have your back=) 

Dear Lord...my surgery was 21 years ago, before FIRE...much less cyber siblings!  I cannot fathom how different the trajectory of my life would have been, with access to internet.  I'd never even heard the word "endometriosis" or that this disease, like cancer, had stages.  Being the overachiever I am, of course mine was stage IV--Yay me!  Sadly, 2 decades later with uber technology, the "treatment" of my disease remains the same.  It is a grim outlook on the sunniest of days.

Cliche' as it sounds...FOCUS on the GOOD NEWS...If you can't be thankful for what you have, be ever so thankful for what you DON'T have, as it pertains to PC.  It sounds as though your surgery was successful.  Recovery is a "mofo"...It takes TIME.  I'd loan you my book on the virtues of patience, but it takes too long to read it=)

Hugs~~Dixie 

Posted 1/8/2015 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pratoman,

Keep plugging. You will get through this. Many have walked this path ahead of you. Your path will be a bit different as we are all different, the accumulation of our genes and the paths we have taken up to today.

You will get to feeling better, you will notice some improvement each day if you watch for it.

Regarding Willy's length, during the surgery, the ligaments that hold the bladder in its old location are modified and let the bladder drop down to compensate for the piece of the urethra through the prostate that was removed. The potential loss of length of Willy are a function of scarring of the erectile tissue in the penis, not shortened urethra. The cure is to get oxygen rich blood into the erectile tissue in the penis. Talk with your urologist about penile rehabilitation _after_ the catheter is out. I am using daily 20mg viagra and possibly other things after I heal enough. Morning semi-wood is enough to keep the oxygen rich blood flowing flowing to the erectile tissues. My willy was ultra short with the catheter in, like jump in the freezing lake short. This changes after the catheter is removed. I am NOT a medical professional, just an engineer who asks a lot of questions of my Doctor and who reads a lot. Please don't let penile shrinkage worries derail your recovery vigor!

You will get a chance with your doctor to go over the Pathology report in detail.

I am praying for you and all of the rest of the guys here.

There are a lot of good men here on HW who pulling for you. Please don't feel bad about your Wife helping you. We men are rugged individualists 98% of the time. I experienced my 2% of being in need of help when my wonderful son came over from China to help for 10 days. I lived through it and enjoyed his company immensely and I was grateful for the help. You will be back in 98% mode in a few weeks.

Fight the good fight Pratoman!

With Best Regards, scientificlifestyle
Posted 1/8/2015 11:48 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks science. And thanks for the email, you too Dixie. CURIOUS TO HEAR FROM OTHERS HOW LONG THE GAS PAINS LAST. PAIN IN MY SHOILDER IS BRUTAL
Posted 1/8/2015 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I guess I was lucky -- I had very little gas pains. But moving from sitting to standing was brutal (hence the cane). Also, I had a slight cough. OUCH

Mel
Posted 1/9/2015 12:54 AM (GMT 0)
Have you used the Gas-X?  How many?

 

 

Posted 1/9/2015 12:57 AM (GMT 0)
Now that's a rather personal question... turn
Posted 1/9/2015 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Yes, had GasX today
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