Greetings, Folks
I post this mainly as a perspective to those newly diagnosed, or nearing surgery. My heart breaks for those who have had difficulties with their surgeries, and I pray for your rapid recovery, no matter how long its been. I had read and re-read many of these threads pre-op, and was well informed and prepared for what may come. It never crossed my mind that my procedure would be, as of now, so positive. My attitude was 'why worry about what will be - just do it".
Some of these surgeries just turn out OK for the fortunate.
I chose robotic lapriscopy surgery by Dr. Michael Fagin in Austin, TX.; an internationally recognized surgeon (luckily for me, I live in Austin). When I first met with him my blood pressure was 150/som'n. The surgery was 3 weeks later, on May 31st (Memorial Day?!!) at 1:30 PM. I was walking the halls of the hospital by 6PM. I checked out of the hospital at 9AM the next day, and my BP was 98/som'n. (Boy, was I a cool cat during that interview.)
I wore the cath for 8 days, just removed June 8th. No probs with the cath at all. Discomfort in abdomen, bloating and pain was easily tolerable and mostly gone by day 3 after surgery. Blood in urine only one time - during my 1st BM three days later (prompted by Milk of Magnesia, per instructions). No cath leakage. No irritation at cath removal. Blood in first urination after cath removal; none since. No swelling of legs/ankles. No bruising of abdomen except one small area on my left side. No scrotum pain, negligeable perineum discomfort.
Patholology report, June 8: I have not seen the report yet, Doc was kinda in a hurry, which was OK by me as soon as he said no margin involvement. Nerves spared. Upgrade Gleason to 3+4=7. Report is being mailed to me. He said he expects a complete recovery, with nothing but zeros in future PSA's. I choose to hang onto his optomism.
Now here's the wierd part. I have had NO leakage. Very minimal with the cath in, and none since it was removed. I wore pads for 3 days after removal, none soiled. Today (day 4) I did not use one. No drips or flows. Made a 30 mile drive in my truck with no problem or discomfort. I was concerned something was wrong, because I was expecting leakage, so I called the nurse and she said 'Good for you'... huh? I never heard of a report of no leakage, and I am still not sure whats going on.
So this experience, in a way has been surreal. I was prepared for the worst, and hoping it would be better than that. I simply was not prepared for it to go as well as it has - I didn't know it could go so well. I am not counting my chickens before they hatch, I am simply counting the ones that have hatched. I know this will be a long road, and there will likely be some detours.
So, if you are approaching your surgery, recognize that all surgeries and recoverys are different. So, just do it. Prepare yourself as best you can with the abundance of knowledge and compassion available here and elsewhere. And, hope for the best!
God bless all of you.
Hal
[I never ask 'Why me' questions]