Purgatory..

Your big day is coming up, yes?
Good luck, I bet you have better days ahead!

thank you billy and gibson.

you mean people really live in fargo ND, let alone north of there? lol. yes, i am getting antsy, i want to be on the other side of this surgery, and though i will wake up with literally all new plumbing, the thought of that horrid catheter being forever gone from that hole in my stomach sounds wonderful. can't hardly imagine reaching down and not feeling it there. i am actually more uptight about this surgery than any of the 7 previous ones, including the prostate removal. guess its natural, i have the same great surgeon and i will be at the same great hospital and still have my great family on standby to see the old man through another one. i know from that point of view, i am very fotunate. i would be a fool if i said i didnt have any fears or worries about this op quickly approaching me.

David, I'm not surprised you have fears and worries about this surgery --- and, I understand it's not the surgery it's the recovery and afterward. It is, perhaps, a more lifestyle altering surgery than RP (although when it comes to altering lifestyles I can't imagine any RP more lifestyle altering than yours!) Also, fate keeps dealing you a great hand of surgeon, hospital, game plan, and then mucking it up by some one-in-a-million event/outcome.

I remember thinking of all the troubles I might face post surgery and deciding with each, as awful as it might be, it was better than looking up at the grass from a root perspective, and I'd deal with it, and be okay. Post-op is going to have challenges and a learning curve for you, David, but I'm confident the final result is going to be a huge step forward for you, and that you'll deal well with the challenges and changes with dignity, aplomb and success.

Sheldon AKA Sleepless

thank you, joe and rob. the more the merrier

sheldon in my almost 2 year journey since dx, i had only 3 consecutive months without any issues, that was april-june of 2009. at that time, i was 100% dry, no ED, healed from the big surgery fairly well, and had minimal faitgue issues. if i could have stayed like that, i might have felt just fine. unfortunately, from july of 2009, till now - my day to day life has been a living and painful hell. i so look forward to sticking my head out of the pain pit at some point after i recover from what likes ahead. and hope and pray, that i don't become the next set of complications that are possible with this type of surgery.

David, my mass tomorrow is offered to you at St Louis Cathedral in New Orleans. You already know that I wish you the very best in your surgery

Cajun Jeff