Quick Update: 11/2

Sorry, still in recovery mode.

4 1/2 weeks post surgery, still having trouble with main incision, still bleeding. The cut was made so close to my navel and stoma, that its hard for it to heal with the Urostomy pouch in place. Not allowing any "air" to help heal it.

The deep pain on my lower left side prior to surgery, has ended, now replaced with deep pain on lower right side. Simply can't win here.

Sunday I was fighting the worse stomach virus of my life. No fever, actually had temp of 95 degrees all day. I guess it was made so much worse because of my recent abdominal surgery. Severe cramping up from early morning till late last night. Unable to eat at all. Had diarrhea over 15 times during the day, left me simply drained. Lost almost 7 lbs in about a 36 hour span, not weight I had the luxury of losing.

Today, felt a little bit stronger, seems to be a 24 hour variety, not sure how I picked it up not really exposed to many people or strangers.

Still got to take up the VA's reading of my PSA, compared to my last PSA with my oncologist. If VA is correct, then my already high PSA literally doubled in less than 3 months, my largest single increase at one time. Could mean my PC is finally getting back into a much more aggressive mode.

Will have to come back and get caught up on things here at HW. Haven't meant to ignore anyone, just had my hands full post surgery.

Take time and let yourself heal.

As always, you're in my prayers,
Andrew

David,

Thanks for the update. Been wondering how you've been doing. You're a real fighter and you just have to take it one day at a time! As always, your in my prayers.

Dave

This too will pass. You're an inspiration to us all! God bless.
Bob

Thanks for the update David. A stomach virus on top of everything else! You are one strong man. Best wishes and prayers.

Your 'guts' are inspiring - literally - hat is off dude... respect.

Post Edited (Paul65) : 11/3/2015 6:37:58 AM (GMT-7)

Dave, you have been thru a lot of pain and surgeries. Just rest and heal for now. Best wishes.

Keeping you in prayer hon

Update Friday Night

Got dentures, they seem to fit perfect, now got to get use to them, wearing them a little at a time, they are making my gums hurt. But at least progress there. It only took 14 months, 30 hyperbaric treatments and major denture surgery - all courtesy of the VA.

VA doctor insisted that I be tested for Hep C, there's a huge uptick in Viet-Nam vets testing positive for Hep C and since my wife dealt with it about 10 years ago herself, he considered me high risk. Waiting for test results.

Incision still slowly healing after 6 weeks. Still can't gain any weight. Pick up a pound or two, then lose it again or more. Seems hopeless.

Will find out next Wednesday, if my PSA truly doubled in 3 months. Always a sword over my head.

What's next?

thanks, despite my tone sometimes, I never give up hope, I keep pushing forward, trying to live my life the best I can. Though my constant pain wears my spirit down at times, I am not an unhappy or depressed person, just dealing with the cards dealt me, sure most understand that with your own struggles. We are all human and mortal, and I accept that. The rest of it is out of my (our) hands, so no point worrying.