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Made it to the Other Side

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 1/11/2009 8:17 PM (GMT 0)
Well guys, I made it to the other side finally.  Had robotic surgery scheduled for 11:30AM on 1-9-09 but got a call from the Urology Clinic asking if I would take the 7:30AM slot, and yes I did. I woke up in Recovery about 10:15 with the Nurse offering pain meds.  I refused twice but the relented and got 2 shots then and one more before heading to the room.  No more pain meds untill 1AM the next morning, when I was awaked by a Nurse saying you are getting this whether you want it or not.  Ok I,m a good patient. 

Prognosis: The Surgon told me in Recovery that he did not believe I would need anymore treatment after this surgery. I hope that it holds up! He stated the PC was fully encased in the prostate with no evidence of escapeing.  Lymph nodes look clear and normal size. Margins clear and both nerve bundles fully spared.  Needless to say the wonderful wife and I are elated.

Got to leave the hospital at 2PM on 1-10-09. The two hour drive home was however, miserable.

Thanks to someone on this board I passed on the leg bag and stayed with the large carry around bag. I was pretty woreout after arriving home and then to top it all off they gave me a supository laxative about 11 that morning so I arrived home with messed up pants.  I guess when you get this disease you just have to park your dignity at the curb and go on.

Sorry I had to wait another day to post, but the perineum tenderness needed a day to let up some before I could sit at a computer for a little while. In fact it is time to standup now. Scheduled to go in 1-15-09 for ther dye test and possible catheter removal. Wish the Best of Luck to everyone on this board.

Posted 1/11/2009 8:44 PM (GMT 0)
That's great news, sandstorm. Am so glad to hear from you with such good reports and that you made a safe trip to the other side. Now rest and relax, you got the rest of your life to go from here. Drink plenty of water- one of the few times in our lives when we can do so without running to the bathroom- to flush the drugs and debris out of your blood system and bladder. Tomorrow or the next day you can start short walks as often as possible, even if it's just from one end of the house to the other. turn
Posted 1/11/2009 9:10 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go Sandstorm, nothing like being on the other side, and hopefully, your good doctor got it all. Sounds like you are doing real good, and some of what you describe is most normal for your operation. Hope the pain stays low, and keep us all posted.

David in SC
Posted 1/11/2009 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Sandstorm,
That is really great news. Congratulations on the pre-pathology report and may it turn out exactly as your doc is sure it is.
Bill
Posted 1/11/2009 11:03 PM (GMT 0)
Way to go Sand, now that you are cancer free I hope you come back and chat with us or better yet just hang around for fun.

peace to you my friend

Dale
Posted 1/11/2009 11:28 PM (GMT 0)
Oh my gosh!!! Great news Sand....!! We were all pulling for you..Sandstorm..... We are here to listen to any thing you want to gripe about now....Diane
Posted 1/12/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
Sandstorm,
Glad to see you made it to the other side with good news to boot. Two hour trip home, I can't imagine. I was 15 minutes and it was the worst trip of my life. I am hoping you post op path results yield only good news. It is a tough journey even with good results. You will mend fast.

Godspeed,
Tim
Posted 1/12/2009 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Sandstorm

Glad to see you on the other side. Now let the healing begin. Good luck.

Mika
Posted 1/12/2009 4:39 AM (GMT 0)
Sandstorm,

Thanks, enjoyed hearing your news. Nothing wrong with taking pain meds if you're still sore; you would be off them soon. Also, have you tried sitting on a pillow?

Good luck next week.
Posted 1/12/2009 5:56 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats, Sandstorm!

It might have been one of my ramblings you saw about the leg bag. I never found mine comfortable or useful.

I sympathize about the ride home. I was the king of butt pain for about 6 weeks.

Head's up: Talk to your doctor about bladder spasms. They usually occur within 24 hours of catheter removal if they are going to occur at all. If you get one, you'll only beg for death for about 30 minutes, then it goes away. My doctor told me "it was nothing to worry about." Right.

Continued success to you,
kcragman
Posted 1/12/2009 6:02 PM (GMT 0)
Sandstorm, on the bladder spasms, they put me on Ditropan, I've been on it for the past week and haven't had a single spasm, but mine are caused by the catheter being in for so long, 60 days tommorow, not from having it out. But yes, I know how bad they can hurt. If they continue, ask your doc for some med.

David
Posted 1/12/2009 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Sandstorm, congratulations!  There will be some adjusting, things may not go as quickly as you'd hoped for - or maybe they'll move more quickly, one never knows.  about the catheter bag:  I preferred the leg bag and found it no problem - the night bag was good for the sleeping time, though.  I pushed a lot of fluids, and I was outside a lot - and the leg bag gave me the mobility and confidence.  After I left the hospital I never took a pain pill - except maybe 4 or 6 tylenol total (regular) during the first week.  I let the stronger pain pills rest in their bottle.  Keep up with the stool softener - for the period your doctor advised, because using it/them will likely help ease some pain in the week(s) ahead.  Never had bladder issues afterwards, either - I was one of the fortunate ones I guess.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery!
Posted 1/12/2009 8:20 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone!

Got up feeling a little stronger today. We are keeping our fingers crossed reguarding that post-op pathology report.

OhioState, I'm looking forward to you getting a brighter second opinion.

Purgatory, With you tomorrow in thoughts. Doc gave me oxybutynin 5mg for spams and hydrocodone for pain, so far I have not needed any but I have the meds just in case.

James C., My father, who is 80 is rolling on the floor laughing about getting to drink all you want with the catheter and stay out of the bathroom. He's been worried about me but that seemed to lift him up a bit. Thanks.
Posted 1/12/2009 8:31 PM (GMT 0)
Sand,
The oxybutynin is the same thing as ditropan, so use it if the spasm are too much, no shame in that, beats letting the pain beat you down.

David
Posted 1/12/2009 9:39 PM (GMT 0)
Congrats Sand...you got some great advise so far...oh and the leg bag...actually for me was kinda nice...was able to get out and go to the movies and was able to drink that 32 oz coke and never once had to get up and go to the bathroom...even on the ride home...just one advantage to the leg bag...little humor here. Here's hoping to a path that is as good as the doc expects...
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