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Joe Home from Surgery

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Posted 5/27/2007 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Joe, It sounds like you are doing fantastically well. I hope you got my email...B and I wish you continued easy recovery. BTW, almost 3 months post surgery and B is padless and leakless too. Becky
Posted 5/31/2007 12:24 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Folks,

I'm 13 days post surgery and 7 days post cath removal. Was going to wait to update again when my Pathology results came in but that's taking a long time for some reason. Not very happy about that!

Physically I feel better every day, walking 3-4 miles a day. It would be easy to think I could do even more physically but I refuse to fall into that trap. As Dr Walsh says, "there are no second chances here, this is a one shot operation".

Pain - Not much to speak of, I prefer to call it soreness and not pain. It seems to move around thru the course of recovery. Stomach soreness to start then perenium soreness and today a little soreness in my lower abdomen below the incision lines. I wake up every day wondering what will be sore today but knowing that overall it will be less sore than yesterday.

Continence - I had one small squirt as I left the hospital on cath removal day and was completely dry for several days after that. On the 5th day after cath removal I started to have occasional small stress leaks. Maybe 4-6 times a day but nothing that my cotton under shorts couldn't handle. It seems to happen most at mid day, after lunch when I am walking (Go figure). I started a written leak log to see exactly the times and circumstances that caused them. The small leaks seemed to start at the same time my pee stream got much stronger. I think internal swelling was helping me out in the begining. All in all, I know I am very very fortunate. Many of our members have a very hard time with this.

Potency - I had a semi good woody on Saturday night (day 10) while I was performing some self therapy. It took me by surprise and it was a little painful so I let it subside with the thought of returning on Sunday for another try. Well, I should have kept at it on Saturday night because woody has not come back since. A little disappointing but I have been studying PCa enough to know that wood at my time (13 days) is overreaching. I am taking Saturday night as a good sign and will keep on trying. Tomorrow I get to try with 10mg of Levitra. Hopes are high!

Cheers,
Joe
Posted 5/31/2007 1:15 AM (GMT 0)
Joe, Thanks for the update!

Sounds like you are doing really well! Fabulous news on the continence. That is a good idea to keep a diary of when you are having your slight squirts, etc. Ken also experienced really good continence right after catheter was out, then got a little worse a few days later. But you definitely sound like you are way ahead of the curve!

Sounds like things are working as far as the "wood", so i am sure it will continue to improve, hopefully the Levitra will help.

Have you called to check on your path report? Must be frustrating with the continued wait. Sometimes screw-ups or "lost between the cracks" things can happen, so would make sure to call and check if you haven't already.

Congratulations on your great recovery and wishing the best for your path results!

Tanya
Posted 5/31/2007 2:01 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks Tanya, it has been a little frustrating waiting on the Path results. I have been calling every day. I'm sure they are just backed up and I'll have them soon.

Joe
Posted 5/31/2007 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Hi ~ Joe,   Thank you for continuing to send your updates.   Excellent information in each one! How true ~ the mind wants to do more when it feels the body doing so well.   Smart to take the proper time to heal & recover.   This stepping-stone is a very important one in the journey to HealingWell...   The waiting is the hardest ~ isn’t it!!!   If we could just understand that the worrying doesn’t change anything except drain us of all positive energy.   So ~ I’m sending a special “rainbow” to help with keeping the positives in front!     This is “YOUR” rainbow ////////////////////// //////////////////////////// /////////////// ///////////////////////////////////// /////////////////////////// ///// //////////////////////// ///////////////////// ///////////// ///////// ///////////////////// ///////////// ////////////////////   Rainbows brings smiles, smiles bring positive energy into our being!!!     We care and want you to know ~ your sharing is important and it means a lot to all of us. Take care ~ and will look for your next posting!!!   HUGS!!!! Too!! In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy
Posted 5/31/2007 6:11 PM (GMT 0)
Joe, congrats on your uneventful recovery and here's wishing for a clear pathology report! keep up the walking and woody will return! take care, kat
Posted 5/31/2007 9:56 PM (GMT 0)
YAHOO, got my pathology results.

clean margins, clean seminal vesicles, cancer is organ confined.

Life is great!

Joe

Posted 5/31/2007 10:36 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go Joe,

That's the kind of news we all love...

Jim
Posted 5/31/2007 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Joe - wonderful news on the path report...what a relief, huh?

Sounds like your recovery is going so well...keep taking good care of yourself.

Susan
Posted 5/31/2007 11:10 PM (GMT 0)
Joe - wonderful news on the path report...what a relief, huh?

Sounds like your recovery is going so well...keep taking good care of yourself.

Susan
Posted 5/31/2007 11:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Joe- Was wondering what was going on. Great news! Hope eveything else is ok.

Posted 6/1/2007 12:07 AM (GMT 0)
Yeahhhh! Good to hear :)
Posted 6/1/2007 6:27 PM (GMT 0)
I took 10mg of Levitra last night at the 2 week mark after surgery per my doctors instructions and it worked very well. I was able to get a near 100% erection several times over the course of the evening (solo performance). It definately required some coaxing and took a little time but I expect that will improve in the long run. I did not let myself have an orgasm, I'm a little concerned that convulsions would not be a good idea down there right now. I'm going to try actual (albiet gentle) sex this weekend.

Cheers,
Joe
Posted 6/1/2007 7:21 PM (GMT 0)
darn, lucky you! Month out for me and nothing! :( Patience, patience, patience!

Posted 6/1/2007 8:34 PM (GMT 0)
Stay positive Pete, it will happen.

Not sure why I'm coming back so quickly but here are a couple of things I'm trying. Maybe they help, maybe they don't. Probably never know for sure.

600mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid every day. I read a study some time ago where they used this supplement on Diabetics with nerve damage and it helped to restore their nerve function. 50mg of CQ10 which is supposed to be good for the heart and circulatory system. I also take 50mg of selenium every day but only because it happened to be in my medicine cabinet and I figured what the hell. Daily multi vitamin too.

Readers Digest Article on Alpha Lipoic Acid and nerve function:

http://www.rd.com/

(type in Alpha Lipoic Acid in search box)

I have been on what I call an anti-inflamitory diet too since nerve inflamation is a big part of what we are trying to overcome. I've cut way back on red meat, the bad oils and processed food in general. I eat lots of food with omega 3's like salmon, walnuts, ground flax seed (for cerial), eggs and shrimp. I also eat pasta with lots of olive oil and garlic and I eat allot of fruit and veggies.

Walk 3-5 miles a day in 1 to 1.5 mile increments.

I think so much of this is out of our control but for the area's that we can control I am giving it my best shot.

Cheers,
Joe

Posted 6/2/2007 2:05 PM (GMT 0)
Joe, Having to wait as long as you did for the path report is unfortunate. We got a call from the doctor 9 days after surgery. Congratulations on your great news now that it is behind you! It is obvious by your post that you have been taking a proactive, optimum approach. At this point I would like to say that your openness to receive energy healing (Reiki) matched my husbands--might this be a part of the mix too? Best Always, Becky
Posted 6/2/2007 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Becky,

Your absolutely right, I believe the healing energy you direct to me in your daily meditations is an important component in my recovery. The prayers and positive thoughts from my family and friends are all part of this mix too. There is a spiritual / mental component to recovery that is very powerful and that I often forget to consider.

Cheers,
Joe
Posted 6/3/2007 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Dear Joe, I shared your regimen of alpha lipoic acid with B--it sounds like a good thing to include. He also takes C0Q10, BetaGlucan (an immune system booster-taking since surgery) and a vitamin shake. Keep up the good work! Becky
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