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Back From Emergency Visit to Dr. - Catheter #6 in place

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Posted 7/23/2009 2:50 PM (GMT 0)

David - I am currently semiretired from the Medical

Field and work part time for a company as their HR Director. I live in the Midwest half way between Memphis and St. Louis.

Goodlife - I only posted to let others know that the majority of PC surgeries go as planned. However, there is always a chance that there can be complications with any procedure, so everyone needs to know all their options and make an informed decision. I always had confidence in the surgeon who did my surgery and the associates and still do. I even asked the Specialist if something might not have been done correctly and he assured me all was done by the book. Just so happened I was one of the 5% that develop strictures post surgically, that is why he is including my case in his study for a paper to teach other Uro's how to treat this condition. 

Sleepless - I believe the only reason I was able to make it through all this was because of the way I was brought up by my parents/grandparents, my wifes support and belief in GOD. My upbringing I was not treated like I had a disability. Was always told I could do anything I set my mind to do (sometimes it took thinking out of the box). I hunt/fish, used to water and snow ski when I was younger, took up scuba diving 10 years ago and still do this when I get a chance. I have always worked (when not in school) have never drawn a disabilty check (nothing wrong if someone does that truely can't work but we all know those that milk the system a pet peeve of mine).

As you can see I have lived and am living a great life with the exception of last year which I try not to dwell on. I wish all my brothers in the PC club a wonderful outcome.

51 yo

Gleason 4 & 3

RP 1/25/08

Numerous f/u cystos last year for strictures

PSA now 0

    

Posted 7/23/2009 3:33 PM (GMT 0)
Well Sheldon, got this part time job this morning, that was an accomplishment. Was grossly over qualified, but the owner liked my story, and my obvious need for money. Be about 10-15 hours a week to start, handling all the financial/accounting stuf for a small medical practice. Will at least supplement my greatly diminished income. Its only about a 15 minute drive, and should be low key, which at this point in my PC travel, I kind of need. So officially, I am no long a completely out of work bum. Five minutes into the interview, the guy said can you start next Monday, the rest of the interview we talked about trivial things.

David in SC
Posted 7/23/2009 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
kbars, thanks for the info. your story is a truly amazing and inspiring story for all of us to benefit from, like a former boss of mine use to quote, you can either let things happen to you, or make things happen for you.

best to you brother,

david in sc
Posted 7/23/2009 4:51 PM (GMT 0)
David --- this news literally made my eyes tear up. I'm very pleased for you. Congratulations!

This could be a huge break. There are significant opportunities for people who can manage professional practices of lawyers, dentists, doctors, etc. etc. The law firm I deal with has recently hired a new manger and I understand he'll be making big bucks! Sounds to me like you may be in on the ground floor of a growth industry.

Well done David ! ! ! !

Cheers, Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 7/23/2009 5:49 PM (GMT 0)
Hi David:

Congrats on the new job!  The PT may be a blessing in disguise since you are still dealing with this PCa stuff.  I'm sure you will do great and I'm really happy for you.

Tud

Posted 7/23/2009 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Sheldon, this is hardly big bucks, but in this economy, and being able to stay in my field of expertise, I am thankful for the opportunity. I have 2 - 3 major interviews for perm jobs coming up in the next couple of weeks, hoping one of them will come through. Todays news helps restore some of my lost dignigty and self esteem.

Now if only I didn't have this plastic snake coming out of the end of my d............. lol

Least I am not backing up or feeling any pain ridding my body of fluids, my poor tired body is enjoying the break from that.

David in SC
Posted 7/23/2009 5:54 PM (GMT 0)
David,

Gee, miss a few weeks here and it's like missing an entire season of Survivor (why do I say that--I never watch Survivor). It was sad to read about your latest catheter travail, but great to hear to have employment!

DJ
Posted 7/23/2009 6:50 PM (GMT 0)
DJ, they will teach you to slip away from us. I was not anticipating this blockage this time, snuck up on me over a period of about 4-5 days, thank goodness my original surgeon was on duty and handy to deal with what turned out to be a mess and painful expisode. Right now, odd as this may sound, not anxious to have the cath removed, because I don't know what will happen next.

Good to see you.

David in SC
Posted 7/23/2009 9:33 PM (GMT 0)

Hey David,

Good for you. While it's now a part-time gig, I'm sure that it will grow once you show them what you can do! I am so happy for you.

Sheesh, as DJ said, be away for a bit and you've missed a whole season...I sure hope that your new catheter set-back is temporary.

Stay strong.

Mike 

Posted 7/23/2009 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Mike,

The job will help my mind as well as my wallet, it will be a good fill in until I can something fulltime and perm.

As far as the current blockage, I am convinced they will want to put me under and do another day surgery thing, because I am actually more blocked up and scarred over than I was in January. Hate the thought of having to go through this once or twice a year. Don't see the doc on this catheter until August 3rd, and that suits me fine at the moment.

David in SC
Posted 7/24/2009 2:10 AM (GMT 0)
David
Great news on the job front. It is so hard to have a capable mind and not enough to do with it. In these times even PT and overqualified is still a success.
Posted 7/24/2009 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
geezer,

the guy actually said why would i want the job? my answer was simple, because i might need the money? i need something to keep my mind busy again, when you are use to running the financial pulse of a company, to turn around and do nothing useful is hard on me, and I am sure hard on anyone else.

still got a lot pain down in the weiner dept 3 days after the fact, but I guess I should expect that considering what was done to me.

hope you are holding your own too
Posted 7/24/2009 3:13 AM (GMT 0)
David,

Really happy for your employment. May be the best thing for you as you sort out treatment options over the next few weeks. Something to keep your mind occupied, but not overwhelmed.

Keep in touch !
Posted 7/24/2009 4:18 AM (GMT 0)
David, it may not be big bucks now but it's a great introduction to what I believe is a growth industry, managing professional practices. If nothing else it will look good on your resume. When you go to those other job interviews one of the call back numbers will be your office number! Excellent.

I'd not be surprised if you decided to sitck with this part time gig, build up a little head of steam, and self-esteem (although in this job market there is certainly no reason to have your self-esteem in question, but I can understand why it might be) before rolling into a full time position. Like PCa surgical recovery walking before you run makes good sense.

I'm rooting for you!

Sleepless, AKA Sheldon
Posted 7/24/2009 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
sheldon, my self esteem been long damaged. I have helped run at the top, and even have ran decent size plants before in my life. I lost my job right before my PC dx, so it was a double wammy. Then, and any of us in my age bracket knows this is true, you start getting hit with the "age bias". It's hard enough if you are healthy to compete in the job market against 30 and 40 year olds, but when you are in a wakened state or your feel the general anxiety of PC hanging over your head, it makes it harder on your head. But in the end, I have to work with what I have to work with.

This morning's victory was being able to take a poop after 4 days. Reminds me of when I came home from the hospital.

David in SC
Posted 7/24/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
'Morning David, good news on the poop. Been there, not done that, can identify. You got it *all* going for you now!

Pity you're not up here in Canada, or our manufacturing plant isn't in SC as we can always use good people and anyone who can deal with numbers and has the creativity to write a book is a unique specimen and worth talking to. I know there is an age bias in favor of younger folk. Perhaps it's because I'm 67, but we have a bias the other way. We just hired a new person in our Minneapolis office, I think he's 57, and we're thrilled to be able to get someone with his experience and abilities. His previous company, which laid him off, had spent years and much money training him and we're getting the benefit of all that. He has hit the ground running at 100 mph and rather than us training him, he is bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to us and teaching us new tricks. Another great thing, in 12 months he isn't likely to decide to take a job in Alaska just for the fun of it.

A friend went through a major cancer experience with complications unrelated to the actual cancer, not dissimilar to your experience, and at a low point the doctor said, 'in a couple of years you'll never think of this, it will just be a blip in your memory.' At the time they thought this an insensitive outrageous statement. They told me this story a couple of weeks ago and said the fact was it really was just a blip in their memory bank. May all of your bladder neck troubles be but a blip for you in the near future.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless
Posted 7/24/2009 5:35 PM (GMT 0)
Sheldon, one day they probably will be but distant blips, right now, my weiner is aching and I am about to take a pain pill 4 days after this ordeal began. Big mistake, I got the parts for my lawn mower I was waiting for, installed them, and tried to mow the entire 4/10th of an acre on my own, while carrying the big urine bag from the catheter. I got about 75% done, and just gave out, now my tube is all bloody looking and strange red things floating in it, guess I did a bit too much, but I didn't want my wife to have to worry about the yard after all she did all week. All cleaned up and resting now, don't have to be anywhere the rest of the day. Didn't practice what I preach to others here about overdoing it and not listening to your body, shame on me.

But I suspect I will live to fight another day.

David in SC
Posted 7/25/2009 3:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi David.  Sorry I have been off-line for so long traveling overseas.  Finally got a good internet connection in London so trying to catch up on a few things.  I'm sorry you had such an ordeal and had to have catheter #6 put in place and in such a painful manner.  On the other hand, a big congratulations on the job.  It's always good to make that first step after a long layoff.  We will continue to pray for you and your medical needs as well as your upcoming interviews.  I have always heard it is easier to get a job when you have a job, so even if the current employment isn't what you need longterm, it could be helpful as a springboard to the next big one.  Hang in there, my brother.  David in VA

Posted 7/25/2009 4:10 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you David, have fun in London for me. My mother, brother, and sister were all born there. My father and I were the only American born in the family.

Yes, even this part time job is at least in my field, and will look better on my resume then a big gap, though with the economy in the dumps globably, I don't think too many prospective employers even blink an eye any more about job gaps In SC here, 1 out of 8 are unemployed, and thats just the one's being reported.

Yes, the new cath sucks, and the circumstances around it, but I am doing what I do best, surviving to fight another day. Have a good trip.

David in SC
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