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Surgery date set/ ?'s re: after

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Posted 2/13/2007 11:49 PM (GMT 0)
Bone and CT scans tomorrow.  Da Vinci surgery set for March 15th in Austin with Dr. F.  Decision made and now, no looking back!  For those of you who traveled for surgery, how long did you have to stay?  Dr. F's material suggest 6-8 days, but says that some people go home the next day and either come back for cath removal, or have it done at home.  Of course, he would like for you to come back, however, he seems fairly flexible.  We have found a local dr who we would have used if we would have opted for open.  Is it safe to have him remove cath or better for the surgeon who actually did procedure?  All advise will be greatly appreciated. 
Posted 2/14/2007 12:18 AM (GMT 0)
Kurt & Courtney

Glad to see you on the site (Sent you the Web Site for Da Vinci Video) I traveled from Louisville, Ky to Pittsburgh and stayed for 6 days. If it had not been for another problem I really believe I could have left the Hospital that day.

I came back to Louisville and had the Cath removed. That was a very simple procedure which took about 2 minutes. The only thing to remember is to be prepared for some initial leakage and that is different for each individual. My Urologist fail to offer me a external cath and about 30 min. after I left I was soaking wet but doing great now. I was told walking immediately after the operation was the most important things in my recovery and I believe it. I was walking over a mile by the third day. (Done over the course of the entire day) I would not hesitate to travel if I had to make the decision again but would not stay for the cath removal.

As you can see from below my numbers were much worse than Kurts and they got all mine. I go in 2 days to get my 6 months PSA.

You two are still in my prayers.

Good Luck and Gods Speed

Eric
Posted 2/14/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Thank you Eric, and good luck on the 15th. We will be thinking of you and praying for ZERO. Never thought anyone would pray for a zero on a test!! Courtney
Posted 2/14/2007 12:48 AM (GMT 0)
Courtney,

Scoring a zero on test was a breeze when I was younger, hope I still have the nack but I prefer the aid of the prayer.

Thanks

Eric
Posted 2/14/2007 4:45 AM (GMT 0)
kziz,

I stayed in the hospital for about 30 hours after the beginning of the surgery and then spent the next night at a local motel for precautionary reasons. I live only two hours from my surgeon so I went back to him for the cath removal. If I had lived further away I would have just arranged for a local urologist to remove the cath. In fact, it is not the urologist that removes it but a nurse in most cases. Unless you are talking about a real long drive I would head on home. Just remember that walking is the best prevention of blood clots in the legs so you will have to stop about every hour and a half and take a 10 minute walk. There is nothing like home to make the healing go faster.

Tamu
Posted 2/14/2007 6:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Courtney & Kurt,
I am very pleased to hear you have obtained the services of a great physician. We set out today on my procedure. After a 4 hour drive we arrived in Laguna Beach tonite, er, sorry but I think might be nicer than Austin, though I do like Austin, but what our Dr. told us is that we should stay 10 days. Tomorrow we go though pre-op - EKG, blood work, chest Xray, meet with a counselor, meet the medical staff, (we actually have lunch with the surgeon and staff) and post op preparation. Then I don't eat the next day and Friday the daVinci is done. He said that we could go back to Vegas for the cath removal, but that he preferred that we stay close. As you know the next important date is the surgical pathology results. My Dr W. is very much in touch with us and will be providing us that result in person. God bless you guys and lot's of love. I'll post my results as soon as I have them.

PS: One of my favorite spots in Austin is at Town Lake where the statue of Sevie Ray Vaughn is. As a musician, he was one my greatest influences. Austin is one of the best blues scenes in the country. I know Kurt will be a bit sore but if you get the chance, that's a great way to spend some time. Track down Austin City Limits et al.

http://austin.about.com/cs/tours/l/blvt_tl_vaughan.htm

I'll be just hangin out at my Sisters house in LB, most of my family is here, and I've seen the beaches plenty of times.

Tony & Ruth
Posted 2/14/2007 2:25 PM (GMT 0)
Good for you, Kziz! You'll be in great hands. Plus, now you have a date - that's always a huge step. When we went to Austin, we stayed an extra night and then headed home. We thought about staying the entire time, but agreed afterward that it was much nicer to be back home for those few days. Running around Austin with a catheter just didn't sound like much fun.

The ride home was bumpy and painful (those TX interstates!!! and construction!!!).

If possible, you may want to return to Austin for the cath removal. That's when you'll go over the path report and get Dr. F.a.g.i.n.'s input on rehab. Plus, any followup questions you may have can be discussed at that point. He typically gets an X-ray done before the catheter is removed to see if the healing has gone well. He told us that typically, there's never a delay in getting the cath out, but he wants to be sure.

Hi, TC and Ruth! The last time we went to Austin, we stopped at an Interstate rest stop just outside the city. Willie Nelson zipped in right in front of us, ran in, and then took off at about 100 mph. We're with you, though; just give us a beach (and maybe a butler) and we're good!
Posted 2/14/2007 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks to all and good luck tc, remember to take it easy!!
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