Upcoming Surgery

I am 54, so pretty close to your age. I had RALP 2 weeks ago today. Right now Iam feeling better than I expected to at this point.

I was like you (and I think most of us) and wondered what life would be like after surgery. Sometimes the waiting and not knowing is the hardest part. I told my wife it was like riding an emotional roller coaster. My stats were similar to yours, and I know there is a good chance of beating PC with our stats.

Someone on one of these forums had a quote that went something like "Most of the people you meet are fighting a battle you cannot see." When I would feel down I would repeat that line to myself to remind me there are a lot of people worse off than me. I know of a young mom who at 30 years old is battling breast cancer less than a year after giving birth. My niece has a daughter with autisim and is fighting that battle every day. I figure there are a lot of people I meet with issues worse than mine. Its a way of telling myself to not feel sorry for myself, suck it up and get on with my life. It works for me, anyway......

I was lucky in that as soon as they removed my cath one week ago I was completely dry. I have not wet a single pad.
This is not usually the case from what I have read, I fully expected to deal with incontinence for a few weeks. Weather its right or wrong I attribute it to having a surgeon with lots of experience, being in good physical shape for my age, and doing kiegles for the 2 months leading up to my surgery. Or I may have just had good luck, i dont know. So I would make sure your surgeon has lots of experience, exercise and start doing kiegles in the time leading up to your surgery, it cant hurt.

My surgeon put me on generic viagra, 3- 20mg pills 3 times a week to get the blood flowing to that area. Its to early to know whats going to happen with that, but so far things look "promising". So talk to your surgeon about starting that or cialis as soon as your cath is pulled. Again, it cant hurt.

As others have said, you're not alone, you'll get through this.

Roadranger82 said...
Someone on one of these forums had a quote that went something like "Most of the people you meet are fighting a battle you cannot see." When I would feel down I would repeat that line to myself

That would be me, on the other forum.

The actual quote was from a meme I found on tumblr, and changed it a little...
"Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about... be kind".

It is comforting to know that it has helped a few others. Thank you for the mention.

Post Edited (RobLee) : 12/13/2018 7:18:00 AM (GMT-7)

Depov: If you're at peace with your decision then....loose some weight if you need to, start doing kegals, and have as much sex as you and your partner can manage between now and then. On the day of---you'll walk into the hospital and feel relieved. Really.

Then (and now too), eat well, and enjoy life. It makes a difference.

Went for my labs today. The last step before surgery. There is some question about medical clearance. The surgeon's office says that I don't need it because I had it for my biopsy in June. Thought it had to be 6 months out. Close enough, I guess.

I have had bad experiences with catheters. Once after kidney stone surgery years ago, they couldn't get it out. They had to jam it back in. I guess my prostate was holding it in tight. Then, a year and a half ago, I was pissing blood clots after hernia surgery. I am assuming the prostate caused this as well. Both times were not fun. So this time I am thinking that with the prostate out of the way it won't be quite as bad.

jasperx10 said...

Depov said...

I have had bad experiences with catheters. Once after kidney stone surgery years ago, they couldn't get it out. They had to jam it back in. I guess my prostate was holding it in tight. Then, a year and a half ago, I was pissing blood clots after hernia surgery. I am assuming the prostate caused this as well. Both times were not fun. So this time I am thinking that with the prostate out of the way it won't be quite as bad.

Urologists tend to use large (tight fitting) catheters where I am for prostatectomies (there's a reason but I've forgotten). Maybe they'll use a slightly smaller one for you if you mention your past problem ?

jasperx10,
just following your journey. With 2 PSM (at G6) and a slow but rising post ralp psa - you are at 0.03. What are you planning on doing. What does your doc suggest. Prato took action with a similar history as yours (not exactly same but with some similarities)

Depov, I took 3 weeks off--and then I needed more days off after a few days back. It depends on the definition of "light duty". You'll have a 15 lb lift limit for at least 6 weeks. And, I really didn't start feeling good for at least 3 months.

Depov said...
Things are gearing up.

I was very concerned when the hospital sent me an appointment 4 days ahead of surgery to see a general surgeon. I called and emailed them expecting this to be a mistake, but it wasn't. Turns out I am going to have another surgeon check me out because he may have to take out and then replace the mesh from my previous hernia surgery. He is going to be assisting the uro surgeon and get right in there when called upon.

I am relieved because I thought the hospital was getting things totally wrong. However, they are right on top of the situation. I am glad I provided them with the hernia info for my chart. Anybody else have this issue?

I am not really sure how long I will be out on leave from work. I guess it has to do with how things go. I am thinking 2 to 3 weeks and then another 3 or so weeks of light duty.

All the best and Merry Christmas!

I had an umbilical hernia repair in 2015 and the RALP August of this year. The Uro went around the mesh instead of through it after discussing with the general surgeon who did the hernia.

I did use a large wedge pillow in bed for a few weeks after surgery which made it easier to get in and out of bed. I was ready to go back to my office job in 2 weeks but had a diverticulitis issue that lasted 2 additional weeks. That setback was scary. If you spike a temp after RALP, get blood and urine checked to rule out additional issues.

Best of luck with the surgery. I'm 4 months out and feeling better except for urgency issues and slight incontinence.

My doc has about 10,000 under his belt now.

One week to go.

My wife was wondering what kind of pads to buy for after. I suppose they will let us know at the hospital. Hoping, of course, they won't be needed for any length of time.

Depov - You are down to the last week, now time slows down and you just want to get it over with. Just wind the diet down next week, do whatever prep is required and show up at the designated time. You will wake up with your new friend, Mr. Catheter, who accompanies you everywhere. The next slowest period in your life is the time until the catheter is taken out, trust me on this.

I studied the heck out of pads a couple of weeks before surgery assuming it would be a long ordeal and I wanted the best and most comfortable ones with the greatest capacity. I finally gave up since I would have to order a zillion pads from some online source and just went to Target on the weekend before and got a package of their house brand high capacity pads (52 for $10) and a package of Depends Fit-Flex underwear (19 for $12) assuming I will figure out what works best afterwards.

Well, I lucked out and was over that in a week with lots of pads and underwear leftover which are hard to give away. I actually liked the Depends underwear best at night and would use the pads during the day under my jockey underwear. Watch out for the sticky area on the pads that f-c mentioned as it will stick to Mr Winkie real good too.

Good luck next week. See you back here in a week or two.

jasperx10 said...

ddyss said...

jasperx10 said...

Depov said...

I have had bad experiences with catheters. Once after kidney stone surgery years ago, they couldn't get it out. They had to jam it back in. I guess my prostate was holding it in tight. Then, a year and a half ago, I was pissing blood clots after hernia surgery. I am assuming the prostate caused this as well. Both times were not fun. So this time I am thinking that with the prostate out of the way it won't be quite as bad.

Urologists tend to use large (tight fitting) catheters where I am for prostatectomies (there's a reason but I've forgotten). Maybe they'll use a slightly smaller one for you if you mention your past problem ?

jasperx10,
just following your journey. With 2 PSM (at G6) and a slow but rising post ralp psa - you are at 0.03. What are you planning on doing. What does your doc suggest. Prato took action with a similar history as yours (not exactly same but with some similarities)

____________________________________________________________________________
ddys, sorry for the late reply - just saw your post.

My doc has suggested when psa gets to 0.5-0.1 to start adjuv therapy. I should've asked exactly what this meant - I'm still not sure what adjuv therapy is - radiation + Ht ?? but I was stressed at the time and decided to defer all decisions until next visit in Jan-Feb so I'd have a better idea of what my psa rate of increase is.

To be honest, doing nothing hasn't been rejected. I had a lot of pain in the last year - surgery/catheter/stricture/urethroplasty (with partial circumcision). Don't want to moan -but I am but I'm in fear what side-effects and pain I'll get with adjuv treatment. I would prefer 5-7 years little pain versus 10+ with pain. xmas eve last year I had to go to emergency because of pain - couldn't move as catheter in me after surgery was wrecking me. Got a stricture as a result. Pain and months later a manual dilation in hospital with no local was excruciatingly painful. Later, self-dilation etc,then penile surgery to repair. That had complications - acute granulation - more pain. It's better now after more treatment but still sore.

All this history is kind of guiding my decision. If my psa remains the same or a modest increase, I'll probably do nothing. If it doubles a hard decision. I *should* do something, but don't know.

Jasper

You probably already know this.

By definition, adjuvant therapy refers to the postsurgical treatment of patients who are at high risk for recurrence but lack measurable disease- which is your case.

You are still at lack of measurable decease at 0.03 but I wouldn’t wait till 0.5 - you probably meant 0.05.

I agree that 5-7 without SE is better than 10 with SE. keep us posted ! Hope your PSA stabilizes.

Thanks for the link HF. Looks like I will only have the catheter in until Tuesday. So one week from today I will have that out of the way.

I report to the hospital Friday at 10am. Getting a bit nervous now. Can anyone tell me when you get the path report?

D

InTheShop said...
normally at your postop follow up appointment in 2-3 weeks. Sometimes sooner.

Way sooner if you insist, and bug the hell out of them ;)

I asked for my path report and my doc shared it electronically within 2 weeks.

What you can ask though is the path report on the frozen section when the doc or his asst pays you the first visit - that is if your doc takes frozen section during surgery. The doc gets a report on the frozen section during surgery