Drummer, You are one of the lucky ones.
For you to have the catheter out in eight days..that's really a good sign.
I Posted my story on 2/8/2009
I am 54 and the doc told me at my age, it would be better to have the surgery than to wait another 20 or thirty years when I wouldn't be a candidate for surgery, and the possibility to have the cancer spread was not something to look forward to.. I was in the hospital for nine days,went home with both the catheter, and also a (JP) jackson-pratt fluid collection bag inserted in my left side for almost the same amount of time as the catheter. I Had three cystograms because of the leakage from a suture site where the urethra and bladder were connected, so I had leakage and they kept my Catheter in for almost seven weeks!!! he also put me on .25 mgs Viagra every day. It's been four months post surgery and I still can not get an erection..I even tried a whole 100mg Viagra, but nothing...orgasm yes, but very limply. I may have scar tissue from the amount of time of the inserted catheter,because my peepee hurts every time I urinate. I also had blood in the urine even two months after surgery,but since stopped. Also had the bloated gas from the surgery, which is normal. Do your kegals religiously. I admit that I have not been faithful in that respect. I am however, down from four diapers a day to only one. Very frustrating even when I cough or laugh, I leak. I also had the nerve-sparing surgery, but seems you found a better surgeon that kept more intact...he took out my left side with the most cancer within the bundles. Good luck!
BTW...I used to play drums, I still have my original 1975 ROGERS New Koa wood finish set with all Zildjian cymbals. Was on the original Gong Show with Chucky baby Barris back in February 14th, 1977..No, our five piece footstompin'-bluegrass/country rock group did not get gonged, but a three way tie. That was my claim to fame.
Post Edited (unhappycramper) : 5/11/2009 12:34:58 PM (GMT-6)