came through the tunnel and am now on the veteran side

ell, I came through the tunnel and am now on the veteran side!!!!!!This may get quite lengthy but should have good info for new members so here goes. Davinci procedure about 2 pm Wednesday the 1st at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. One of seven that day. Apparently all went well. I did not talk to Dr. Peabody but he told my wife all contained in the prostate and no signs of anything outside the capsule. Great news.They did not even do the count back in the surgical room. Wheeled me in on the gurney. I transferred to the operating table and the last I remember was the doctor asking if everyone was ready and then I woke up being manhandled in recovery. You guys know what I mean when its seems they are jostling you every which way and all seem to be yelling at you.
I don't know if anyone had this problem but I had excrutiating, and I mean excrucriating pain in my left shoulder. Swimom can probably help. They say your body is tilted about 30 degreesfrom horizontal with your head down. They said the gases got into the shoulder. Also my left leg was swelled and numb. They also said this is a result of the position. So anyway got out of bed about 2 hours after arriving in my room and went for a long walk. Couldn't sleep well because of the shoulder so got myself up at 3 and 5 am and went for more walks. Belching as loud as I could trying to get rid of the gas.Couldn't feel any farts coming on yet but eagerly awaiting. Came home Thursday around 5. Clothing: Robe,sweatpants and large shirt.Had some severe pains waiting to pass gas, you know how it builds up but won't come out. Told my wife now I can imagine what contractions are like. Finally around nine had one toot with a few following. Never in my life wanted to fart so bad. Around 10 had some good ones and removed a lot of pressure. A note for guys in the future. The info will say to drain the day bag every one to 2 hours. Watch this closely. I was emptying mine every 45 minutes.My wife ran out for a bit and I fell asleep for awhile. YOU DO NOT WANT THAT BAG TO OVERFILL. WOW IS THAT PAINFUL. Any way sorry this is so long just want to talk with my coffee in hand. No where on any posts did anyone warn anyone about domestic pets. IF YOU HAVE A CAT DO NOT, DO NOT EVER LET THEM SEE THE CATHETER. they think this is the greatest toy since cat nip.you do not want them to get ahold of it. 56, you were right, I went to check on hofer the one eyed gopher and he does look all pissed off, retracted back to the sac and a pissed off look with that tube sticking out of his head!!!!!! So, just hanging around in my robe, no underwear, day bag on and doing fine. For you new guys, for the first day it is going to feel like someone rabbit puched your gut. These are the portal holes. But this is day two and this is improving immensely.

Sorry if I bored anyone. Thanks for all the prayers and support and if any one has any questions do not hesitate to ask



DAVEED

Daveed!!!!

Welcome back. Glad to see you made it home in one piece. Sounds good so far.

You asked about the shoulder pain. It's a common thing with patients who have been intubated....especially somkers.

Shoulder pain is also common post abdominal insuflation or "air-tamponade" as it's called. The pressure against the abdominal walls tamps off and controls bleeding to crerate a clearer field of vision for the Doc and reduces the need for transfusions. The gas pumped into the abdomen is not 100% depleted. A small amount hangs in there and absorbs as about anything else would absorb into the system. It could last a week maybe but it'll go away.

A little shoulder rub may hurt at first but it will feel better. Walking and general movement is helpful. While lying down feels best, you know you can't lie down for a week...so go move! Glad you're home and well.

Swim

Great to see you back and so perky!

I think Swim meant you can't just stay on your back all the time, even though it feels better than sitting or standing. Get and move as much as you feel like without overdoing. Lying in any comfortable position is fine.

Glad the pain in shoulder is gone, too!

Daveed, Glad to hear from you, sounds like good news. I had shoulder pain and they also ripped a chunk of skin off my back in recovery extra sticky tape. The sore muscles I'm sure are from laying on the one position for so long. Anyway glad to see you have come on over to this side.

Daveed - glad you're back and sounding so chipper. I read aloud your first hand account to Bob and he was laughing in agreement about you know who being pissed off . . . . he relates completely and after 5 weeks thinks he's still being punished for mistreating his friend. Will be interested in hearing your progress. Take care and "don't overdo"
;o) Linda

HI Daveed & Tamu,

Great to hear you're home and doing well. One thing I thought to mention; coughing or sneezing is a major pain, and the first time I thought I'd busted a stitch. If you are prone to sneezing carry a small pillow that you can pull into your gut before you explode.

Glen

Good for you daveed,

I had the same shoulder problem and it,like all the rest of the side effects, passes. Keep on truckin!

Welcome home Daveed!

Glad to hear all went well, and continued wishes for a speedy recovery. Thank you so much for telling us what to expect. It helps to know!

Blessings,

Dennis and Sara

Yeah~~~~~ Welcome home dear friend…


You’re home and doing so well!!!!



Daveed...........You have a wonderful disposition and it will truly help our friends who are nearing their surgery date and/or just being diagnosed. Thank you for making this such a positive experience….. and I truly feel it is because of your “POSITIVE ATTITUDE” from day 1.



Taking the time to share your journey…. will truly help others!!! I had a great time reading your post….. and a good giggle when you introduced… hofer the one eyed gopher. What a hoot!!!!!



It would be great if you pop this tread with updates on your healing/recovery… It makes it so much easier to follow day to day / week to week…. when it’s all on one Thread. (Just my opinion… J)



How long do you plan to be off from work…. Because once you start back to work it will be awhile before we hear from you…. right!! This way we know everything is good…. No news will be good news….



Please…. Take a page from Spinbiscuit’s journey……… DON’T OVER DO IT. Just because you’re feeling good….don’t mean you can do the dance for awhile…. Okay…. You still have to heal….



In Friendship ~ Lee & her Buddy

daveed,

yeah! you are done with the hardest part. the week will fly by, the catheter will be done (so the cat will not want to play anymore) and you'll be on to the next step.

keep relaxing, walking and just doing what you want to do. kat

Quote from 11-09 Daveed Update

Just got back from the clinic to have the "cats new toy" removed.My biggest fear was there would be something wrong with the xray and they would have said "lets leave the little sucker in a little longer". I would have croaked at that point. Anyway glad thats over and done with. Hard to tell how the continence is doing. I know that sounds stupid. Got my sample packs for ED, had been using levitra before surgery and will be interested to try the cialis and viagra.No pathology report yet, should have tomorrow or Monday at the latest.



Hi Daveed,



Glad Hang is not hangin’ around any more!!! Sounds like the two of you got along okay!!! When you understand how important his is ~ and you let him have his way ~ things tend to go well….



And I’m super glad Cleo Leo minded his manners after the first swipe!!! Ouch

What a wonderful story of how he came to be a part of the family. That bond is so much stronger when you personally are responsible for them surviving… !



Now ~ you’ll be heading back to work but you still need to take it easy…. Okay!!!



Please continue with your updates and let us know how things are going.



Take care and we will continue to keep you in our prayers.



In Friendship, Lee & Buddy