Curt home from surgery

Just a quick note to let you know that Curt did fine with the surgery. We actually looked at your notes on a computer in the admitting/waiting area at the hospital right before his surgery. That made us feel good!
His surgery took 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Dr. came out and said that he had taken an extra wide margin on the left side where most of the cancer was and extra lymph nodes. He also commented that that side of the prostate was very hard. I asked him if he felt that the cancer was contained within the prostate and he said we would have to wait for the pathology to come back on the 16th.
This morning when I went to Curt's room he was in a lot of pain and they had not gotten him up to walk all night even though he asked to. So I got after them. As soon as we got him up and walking he started feeling better.
They didn't decide to let him go until 3 p.m. this afternoon.
It is a 3 hour drive home and he tolerated it quite well on pain medication. We're so happy to be home and on the "other side", although I have to admit I am quite nervous about the "extra wide margin--extra lymph nodes--and hard left side of prostate" thing.
Curt is having a tough time getting used to the catheter. Does anyone have any tips about how to keep it from pulling so much and moving around or is that just something that you get used to?
I'm about ready to drop, so will check in tomorrow.
Curt & Vicky

Curt & Vicky,

Glad to see you are home and recovering!

Tanya has a good idea with the lubrication and extra straps.

We bought two velcro straps at the pharmacy and adjusted the catheter tube towards the inside a little and not on the center front of the leg. If it on the front face of the leg, it flexes more. I also made a loose fitting tent over the top of my penis using a large gauze pad and a piece of tape to hold it closer to the leg while walking and it prevented any chafing of clothes to it. It also kept it a lot cleaner. I changed the pad each evening with a clean one. With the velcro straps, it is easier to adjust the tube positions than if you get everything taped down.

I also cleaned the area and cath tube 3-4 times a day to minimize any chances of infections. For cleaning, I alchohol most of the time on the leg and tube, but also some antiseptic soap solution around the scrotum and tip of penis. Alchohol can irritate the scrotum and if it gets in the tip of the penis. Got the soap at the pharmacy and it was a liquid that you added to water. It was called Hibiclens and was a 4% Chlorhexidine Gluconate solution. I also used some of the soap when showering on my penis area and rear end.

When we went to get the catheter removed 8 days later, the nurse looked at our catheter arrangement and asked me if I was an engineer... Which of course, I actually am...

The important thing now is for you both to take it easy... Get lots of sleep and rest! You are on the "other" side now!

God Bless,

Ray & Avis

Dear Kurt & Vicky

I am sure that Kurt is happy to have the surgery over and start the healing process.  My thoughts and prayers will be with you in hopes that Kurt will get good news when the pathology report is completed.  God Bless!

Dave

Dear curt and Vicki,
Hello, and Welcome Home!. I have been waiting to hear how you did and like others have said you are now on the other side.
I understand your concerns re the surgeon's comments and hope that it turns out to be nothing.
The catheter issue, I am always amazed that necessity is the mother of invention. Great ideas from all. We used the velcro in the hospital but when you go home you are becoming more active and these problems come up. You are all so clever. You should write a home remedies book
Gentle Hugs.

Curt and Vicky,
Welcome Home! I'm sure it feels better just to be back in your own bed! The suggestions here are all good ones. I adjusted the tube and those velcro anchors several times ( I bought some extras at the drug store) until I got them in a spot that was comfortable. Then I marked the anchor position on my leg with a permenent marker. When I had to change it the right spot was easy to find! Thank Goodness it was only on for 10 days! Take it real easy Curt (no matter how good you feel), and Vicky I know you've heard this before, but now is the best time for you to rest as well!
Keeping you in thoughts and prayers,
Mike

Glad to hear from you :) and that pain is subsiding. you sound like you are doing well!

keep it up (errr, well not yet!) I mean ummm ... take it easy, and say "hi" to Vickie for us. :)

Tanya

Good news! We got the pathology report this morning and the nurse said it was as good as it could be. Cancer was confined to prostate, margins clear, lymph nodes clear, seminal vesicles clear. We are so thankful.

Curt- Great news on the path report, sounds like you and I were on the same page but a week apart! As you have noticed from my posts things are going well for me, Im sure they will be for you too! Next in line is to get the darn catheter out. Just remember to go slow (or if your like me to try and go slow-er) and dont freak over the occasional aches and pains. Vickci- keep up the good work, keep an eye on him and no heavy lifting for a while.

Lee & Buddy,

We're so glad that you had a nice getaway!

Remember when I wanted to put the velcro in Curt's sweatpants (I think you said you used snaps) --well, snaps would have been better. The velcro stuck to the leg band and caused pulling, so I took it out the day after we got home. Just thought I would mention that in case anyone else is thinking of doing it. Will save someone sewing and then ripping out. Mr. Hang is behaving and it is comforting to remember what you said about not fighting him, and letting him do his job. Yes, this place and everyone in it are such a HUGE help in recovery, and we are eager to help others along as well.

Vicky & Curt

Vicky and Curt,

Great to hear about the path results. :)

We used snaps too (although i didn't sew them on, not much of a seamstress here :)) Just bought some of those "tear off" basketball warm-up pants in one of those light-weight fabrics with snaps all the way.

Bet Curt can't wait to have that catheter out. Keep us updated, and keep taking it easy :)

Thanks Lee! We'll try to keep everything in this thread now (after we just posted on the other CVK one). Whoops.
Hugs to both of you too!
Vicky & Curt

yeahhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

congrats ... so glad to hear :) Thanks for letting us all know.

Best wishes for MANY more undectables in the future :)

Tanya (and Ken)

     GO BLUE!!!!!

Good news on a followup PSA indeed.

Swim  (Die hard U of M fan!!!)