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Posted 12/5/2006 7:22 PM (GMT 0)
Well not a whole lot to post yet but am counting down to Wed Dec 13.  Arrive at 11 a.m. and surgery schedule says 1 p.m.  Going this Thursday for my second appointment with Physical Therapist to see if my kegels have been practiced enough and correctly.  Then next Tuesday work half a day and then go home to take my 3 pills to clean the system.  Bad thing then is no coffee from midnight Monday night till after surgery nono .  Going into Omaha NE (60 miles) at the Methodist Hospital for the procedure.

Anyone finding themselves going through this, one of my biggest recommendations is do not keep it to yourself.  I have been open about this and I have gotten so much support from family, church, and fellow workers.  This group is also a motivator in those dark moments when you want to feel sorry for yourself or like I at times wanted to just say 'I will live with this rather than deal with the after affects'.  My biggest support in all this has been my bride of the last 39 + years.  Do not know what I would do without her.

Well, like others that have created diaries, I will post to this periodically.  Hope to be home on Thur the 14th.  Figure with my running and other exercise that I should be able to have them show me the door in that time period.


 

Posted 12/5/2006 7:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mac & Donna,

Glad to hear you're in good spirits, and that you're working on those Kegels. Soon you'll be on the other side healing up in time for the Holidays and all the bowl games. You have to be ready for that.

Glen
Posted 12/6/2006 2:20 AM (GMT 0)

Hey Mac, I agree with you about telling everybody.  We all know a bunch of great folks and we want to hide?  No - tell 'em - they want to help.  Way back when, I wanted to be a lone wolf kind of guy who needed no-one and nobody and all that crap.  Dumb.  Age does bring an occasional benefit.  Occasionally.

Regards,

Bill

Posted 12/6/2006 12:52 PM (GMT 0)
Mac and Donna, we are here for you, too! thanks for checking in. kat
Posted 12/7/2006 5:14 PM (GMT 0)
Just a minor update. Went to Physical Therapy today for follow-up to initial Kegal training She said I had made successful progress according to the computer hookup. She said I should be ok if I continue on a regular basis of at least 10 reps 3 times a day. Of course none while the cathetor is in but as soon as that comes out to start again. She likened it to any training of muscle and at the same time programming the mind a replacement routine for control flow after surgery.

She kept saying she would do this or that if I were 'her father'. Now I could of done without that but she was trying to encourage successes of procedures.

So that is it til next Tuesday when I have to stop coffee until after surgery on Wed and do all the surgery prep work.

This group is the greatest with the encouragement and education I have gotten.

God Bless You All!
Posted 12/7/2006 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mac & Donna,

Good to hear from you. I did everything by the book too, but the coffee was the toughest. I only made it for 2 days without a cup, and I'm still doing great (only 3 cups a day).

Glen
Posted 12/13/2006 1:06 PM (GMT 0)
Well folks, here I am the day of surgery.  It is now 7 a.m. here in SW IA and I have told the family the car leaves at 9:30 to be there at 11.  Surgery said to be at 1 p.m.

Yesterday as you all know was quite a day.  My biggest woes were that I did not have much food in the system so there was not much for trips to the bathroom, guess that was a good point.  And I had a whopper of a headache because I could not have that coffee.  I usually put away at least 6 cups a day during the week and more on the weekend.

So here I sit ready to head off to Omaha.  Seems like beginning of October when I was diagnosed was just yesterday.  At that time I thought Dec 13 was so far off.  So those that are waiting, it will come sooner than you expect.

I know there are a lot of prayer warriors at my work, church, family, and friends I have made over the years, AND you all.  With that many speaking to GOD I know that success will be ours.

I unfortunately cannot remember but one of our members has in his signature something that has helped me these months.

'Cancer is what we have, cancer survivor is what we will be.'

Take care my friends and see you all on the 'OTHER SIDE'. tongue

Mac and Donna

Posted 12/13/2006 1:26 PM (GMT 0)
God Speed Mac...prayers to you and yours.
Posted 12/13/2006 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Mac & Donna. Yes, we'll "catch you on the flip-flop." (And, we're with Spin, here - can't go that long without coffee. Everyone needs a vice or two, regardless!)
Posted 12/13/2006 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Max,

Good luck today. It will all be over but the shouting in a few hours. I had RRP last Thursday and get the staples and catheter out today.

I'll be thinking about you.....

Jim
Posted 12/13/2006 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Mac,

You are in my prayers and thoughts today. May your journey both to Omaha and through surgery be safe and uneventful.

Good Luck!!

Tamu
Posted 12/13/2006 1:50 PM (GMT 0)

Mac:

We're all pulling for you today!! I had mine exactly a week ago today and am almost back to normal. You will be too!! Can't wait to hear your update when you get back. God be with you and know that each one of us are right along side of you as well.

Regards;

George

Posted 12/13/2006 6:09 PM (GMT 0)
1:06 p.m. Eastern Time J Dear Mac & Donna,   "GOD Bless You"   It's a little prayer "GOD Bless You"... but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your way.                                   ~ author unknown ~   Looking at the clock… you’re on your way… We will be here when you get back home. Thoughts and prayers are comin’ atchu from all directions.   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 12/14/2006 3:54 AM (GMT 0)
Mac--You're in my prayers for a rapid recovery.  Hope to hear a good report from you in a few days.

Tim

Posted 12/14/2006 11:40 AM (GMT 0)
Mac & Donna,
I guess you are recovering by now, I'm sure everything went fine! Well, You are one of us now and I'm sure your experiances will help others just as much as the help you have gotten from the people here.
Good luck on your recovery!
Your friend, Pete
Posted 12/15/2006 5:53 AM (GMT 0)
Well here we are on the other side.  My plans to come home on Thursday did not happen.  Partially because my surgery was so late in the day.  Dr Morton says everything went well.  Will have the results back next Tuesday so will give us results when we go in for cathetor removal.

It is midnight here and since I cannot sleep decide to go for a walk.  Found the family waiting room with a computer and just thought I would post a short update.

Still a lot of stomach pain.  In a few hours I am told I will finally get some solid food.

Had hiccups last night about 6 times for 10 minutes each.  Let me tell you those are not fun. confused

Well I better finish the walk and get back to my room before my nurse sends out the seach team.

Will post more when I get home later today, or maybe tomorrow depending on how ride home goes.

Thanks you all for your prayers.

Mac

Posted 12/15/2006 2:51 PM (GMT 0)
Mac and Donna - I'm so glad you are doing fine. thanks for checking in with us. take good care of yourself... kat
Posted 12/15/2006 2:54 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mac & Donna,

Glad to hear you are up and walking around. I Hope your recovery goes quickly. In the mean time get yourself a nice soft pillow to sit on while you're at the computer; it really helps. Post us when you get home and settled in.

Glen
Posted 12/16/2006 4:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Mac & Donna,   Yes ~ you’ve taken the biggest step and now you are on the stepping-stone to recover/healing.   Listen to your body!!!! Mac and get that soft pillow for hiccups and coughs too!   Buddy still uses his pillow while using the computer.   Gotta keep that little sphincter muscle happy   ... He has a very important job to do!   It is great hearing from you so soon…. Nice that the hospital had the computer available for patients use too!!   Or maybe you went AWOL from your wing ….   No search parties I hope!!   Hope your trip home was smooth.   Make friends with Hang….. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 12/16/2006 11:00 PM (GMT 0)

Well got home yesterday about 1 pm.  My middle daughter came for me and she only hit a few BIG bumps in the road.  Not really bad though.  Of course before we left the hopital she had to sit through the care of the Cathetor.  She was glad the nurse was not to graphically in what she should of my anatomy.  That way we could both explain to Donna what needed to be done.

Been resting some, walking on the treadmill quite a bit ( no running yet mad  , that will come though), reading some, and spending a lot of quality time with my dear wife, daughter and granddaughter.

Had some really tough pain last night in the abdomen for about 15 sec and then would stop for a couple minutes and then come back again.  Kept up for about an hour and pain pills did not help.  Think I had not been drinking enough liquids because after I drank quite a bit they went away and have not returned.

So folks, nothing spectacular happening but maybe it seems that way because of all the great information that has been provided on this forum that help us prepare mentally and physically for this step. 

Thank all of you so much for you answered questions and prayers.

Mac and Donna

Posted 12/17/2006 5:59 AM (GMT 0)
It will get better and better everyday. This disease sure makes a person start to think about what is really important. Glad to hear you are now on this side of the surgery and on the mend.

Posted 12/17/2006 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mac & Donna,

Glad to hear you are home, and getting rest (sleeping in your own bed is the best medicine). Like you mentioned drinking fluids regularly is a good idea. Be sure not to over due the exercises; I found out the hard way what is too much. Your body has just undergone some significant trauma, and needs a couple of months to mend. Other than that, getting all worked up for the Bowl Games should be OK.

So have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Years, and a very speedy recovery as well.

Glen
Posted 12/18/2006 1:36 PM (GMT 0)
hi Mac and Donna, isn't it great to be home? yes, walk, do not run, for a little while. when do you get the Foley removed this week? kat
Posted 12/18/2006 3:32 PM (GMT 0)

Hi group and Kat,

Yes the Foley will be gone after 7:30 a.m. appointment.  Have to drive into Omaha (60 mi) and my pastor called yesterday to volunteer for doing the driving.  Weather is supposed to be a Midwest type of rain starting Tue night, 80% on Wed and may have some snow wed night.  After the hospital said they do not recommend I drive with the tube in we had to make other arrangements.  They even suggested I do some dry run sitting behind the wheel.  Guess the muscles for controlling the brake may not be as strong as before.  And definitely said not to drive with pain killers.

Did have to resort to Milk of Magnesia yesterday because I had not had a bowel movement.  Well at 2 this am I got that step accomplished also.

Had a visit from a couple from our church yesterday.  In the discussion, we found that he was planning on surgery after spring planting.  This a a prime example of why we must share about our condition.  He was not regularly getting his PSA tested but after my sharing at a morning service he went for a test and found 1 of 8.  He was initially going with radiation partly because he is 69, but after my detail discussion of what and WHY my decision was made, he and his wife agree this the solution.

Thank you all for your concern and information.

Well must get to my walk and breathing exercising.  Less than 72 hours till another step completed, foley gone, and work on full recovery.

Mac

Posted 12/21/2006 6:05 PM (GMT 0)
Great news! Had my 8 day after surgery appointment this a.m. Knew they said an xray to make sure healing was right but what was not told is that the liquid in the cathetor can go two ways.

First they took an xray of abdomen, then nurse took the travel bag off and hooked up a tube from a jar hanging from an IV holder. Then she released the clamp and in flowed what looked like water to my bladder. VERY UNCOMFORTABLE. Then a couple more xrays with that fluid in and then drain the fluid followed by another xray. While the fluid was in she asked if they could verify the quality of xrays before removing the fluid. She said that way if the xrays needed to be retook they would not have to reintroduce the fluid. I of course said I was ok since once was enough.

So finally after reviewing the xrays the nurse got the go ahead to remove the cathetor!. She said it would hurt a little, she told me to take a deep breath and as soon as I did there was a small sensation in the little guy and she said it was out. No pain in the removal!

Doctor is to call this afternoon and review the biopsy but what I could understand of my copy looks good if not great. PSA test on Jan 22.

No gushing and control seems pretty good so far. We will see because I just finished a couple cups of coffee.

So folks, that brings us up to date.

God Bless and now I can see a very Merry Christmas.

Mac
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