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Posted 7/15/2018 3:27 AM (GMT 0)
Wow. Well, good luck Tuesday.

Interesting, I was on aspirin therapy when I had surgery, and was told to,stop it 7 days before the surgery. My cardiologist approved it. But I had no stents at the time. 6 months after surgery I got my stents put in.

Glad it was just a mixup. I’m sure all will go well.
Posted 7/15/2018 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
Best of luck and prayers heading your way for a successful surgery. My surgeon took three hours to excise my prostate due to my particular situation, he had performed over 2,000 robotic procedures so he was obviously experienced. So don't be surprised if your hubby's surgery takes longer than an hour or two.
Posted 7/17/2018 5:45 PM (GMT 0)
Just want to send a quick update to my community here...

The surgeon’s first words to me were, “today’s the day“. The pathology report was clear (negative margins), the best result possible. Thank God.
We will wait for a further report in a week or so.
Hubby will be in the recovery room in a while and i will be able to see him then.
Your prayers and positive energy helped!! Thank you, all.

Onward to a speedy recovery.
Posted 7/17/2018 6:02 PM (GMT 0)

GoodVibesOnly said...

The surgeon’s first words to me were, “today’s the day“. The pathology report was clear (negative margins), the best result possible. Thank God.

Onward to a speedy recovery.

Great start. Wishing you all good news in the weeks ahead. Don't forget the Miralax asap.
Posted 7/17/2018 6:14 PM (GMT 0)
Is Colace the equivalent?
I think he will be prescribed that.
Posted 7/17/2018 6:32 PM (GMT 0)
Colace is good, and the standard the docs recommend. Use Miralax is useful if colace doesn't work.

Glad to hear things are progressing.

Andrew
Posted 7/17/2018 9:43 PM (GMT 0)
I had the op 5/14/18. Worst is the gas, they pump it into you. It will move around inside and hurt a lot until it comes out. Best way to get it out is to walk as much as possible. It gets much better once the gas pain stops, which can take 2 or 3 days to get it all out. As I say, walking helps. And then after that it gets a lot better when the catheter comes out, usually after a week. Gets better again after 4 weeks, and then again after 7 weeks. By 7 weeks I was pretty much fully recovered.
Posted 7/17/2018 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
That’s great to hear. Getting ready for him to get up and walk.
Posted 7/18/2018 10:02 AM (GMT 0)
GoodVibes,

You'll probably be bringing him home today. A few things to have ready if you can:

I found a shower bench useful-I didn't feel comfy standing in the shower with the catheter bag.
Get some 'doggy doo doo pads' for his chair. He might leak a little around the catheter.
Pay attention when the nurse goes through the procedures for caring for the catheter and bag. This is really important to avoid infections.
I found a 1-gallon size bucket useful to put the bag in on the floor-makes it easier to carry around.
Get him out of the chair every hour at least to walk around the house. Walking is key.
Feed him plenty of fluids--it's super important--and light, high fiber meals for the first few days
If he gets exhausted with a 5 minute walk--don't be surprised.
This first week will be over before you know it.
Posted 7/18/2018 11:21 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you for the good tips, halbert.
We got the bucket ready at home.

He did two laps round the ward yesterday evening. Even in bed he is trying to move his legs.

He was complaining of urge to urinate, and everyone says it’s normal, except that the catheter wasn’t draining all through the night. One attentive nurse raised his bed and it all came flowing out.

Another unforeseen side effect from the anesthesia was dry itchy eyes, which hubby promptly rubbed and caused a corneal abrasion. So now they are giving him eye drops, and antibiotic ointment.

More laps today...
So looking forward to going home.
Posted 7/18/2018 11:45 AM (GMT 0)
The urge to urinate is caused by bladder spasms. They can be very uncomfortable. Oxybutynin can help.
Posted 7/18/2018 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
Glad to hear he got the surgery behind him. I assume you being told the pathology was good means he had frozen section pathology done while he was still in surgery, which is great.

Walk walk walk. Most important thing
Posted 7/18/2018 3:31 PM (GMT 0)
Excellent....it should get noticeably better each day. The toughest part is over!

Your pathology report, insist on the details and a copy of the actual report, will be invaluable.
Posted 7/18/2018 10:48 PM (GMT 0)

Pratoman said...
Glad to hear he got the surgery behind him. I assume you being told the pathology was good means he had frozen section pathology done while he was still in surgery, which is great.

Walk walk walk. Most important thing

YES! The most nerve wrecking part was waiting for over an hour after getting the call that the surgeon would be speaking to me shortly. He explained that he was waiting for the frozen section pathology. It being negative made it all worthwhile.

We’re home now and the bucket is in action. Will be pushing him to walk, walk, walk... after I get my rest!

Thanks again for all your encouragement!
Posted 7/19/2018 12:19 AM (GMT 0)
Make him walk and drink plenty of water.

and yes, right after your nap. smile

Hang in there, so far so good.

Andrew
Posted 7/19/2018 6:01 PM (GMT 0)
Today we celebrate passing gas! turn
Posted 7/19/2018 6:06 PM (GMT 0)
YAY!!! Things getting back to normal.
Posted 7/24/2018 8:14 PM (GMT 0)
It’s been a week since the RALP. Recovery has been mostly on target, with a bit of up and down.
Some observations...
  • Gas pains has been negligible.
  • Bowel moved on the 4th day.
  • Scrotum swollen on Day 5. Was told to expect this due to the lymph nodes taken out. Urine was clear after 3 days but is now dark colored again.
  • There was a tiny bit of blood coming out of the stitch between the mid abdomen one and the drain hole

Trying to stay on top of drinking a lot and walking.

Tomorrow we start the antibiotics and Flomax and Thursday the catheter will be out. Can’t wait...
Posted 7/24/2018 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
You're healing just fine.

getting the catheter out will be a huge relief.

Andrew
Posted 7/24/2018 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Andrew.

I forgot to mention that he managed pain with just the ibuprofen (+Pepcid) and skipped the oxycodone. That probably helped with the bowels. In fact, now taking 200mg ibuprofen instead of the prescribed 800mg.
All in all, very thankful that the recovery is coming along smoothly.
Posted 7/24/2018 9:48 PM (GMT 0)

GoodVibesOnly said...
Today we celebrate passing gas! turn

You might say, he's got "wind beneath his sails", as the song goes

(i'm taking lessons on humor from Andrew)
Posted 7/25/2018 6:12 PM (GMT 0)

GoodVibesOnly said...
.... and Thursday the catheter will be out. Can’t wait...


No one ever cancels their appointment to have their catheter removed. A great day.
Posted 7/25/2018 6:15 PM (GMT 0)

Pratoman said...


(i'm taking lessons on humor from Andrew)

turn
Posted 7/26/2018 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
Day9! Cath removal day is here!
Posted 7/26/2018 1:52 PM (GMT 0)

GoodVibesOnly said...
Day9! Cath removal day is here!

turn tongue wink smilewinkgrin
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