The Road to "New Normal"

Relax. 

http://www.snopes.com/medical/myths/july.asp

The final countdown is underway .. best of luck, you'll be great.

I had (successful!) RALP in September and while I am still new at it, I am on the other side of the new normal. None of us would do this if we didn't really need to do it .. but I have absolutely zero second thoughts. And, my wife told me again last week that she is really happy we did surgery .. I think she worried more about PCa than me!

Like others have said, I agree that 2nd slot is maybe better than first? Let the surgical team get into its groove on the first patient, and then your results will be spectacular!

I was only in the hospital one night, and you're be on pain meds so you'll likely not remember much. If you knew that you would be there for several days, the concierge thing might be more interesting... otherwise, perhaps best to save your money.

The big fear for most all of us is incontinence. I'm 90 days out, and 99% dry, perhaps one minimal leak a week or less. Kegels are key. And, the docs are getting REALLY good at surgery these days, and I'm confident that you'll be great.

Another current topic in a different topic thread is about catheters, post-surgery discussion, etc... I replied there today also. Comments about post-surgery might be interesting for you now, or maybe later in the week. Most of the info about the two week period post-surgery I found was here on HW and our discussions -- most writeups are about surgery decisions, and not the post-surgery experience. Thanks to everyone here for all of your insight, and I'm happy now to help out too from time to time.

GOOD LUCK .. keep us posted!

Thanks guys.

Maybe it's better, especially since I had some egg whites and cheese a little later than I should have. So now I will have a full 24 hours of no sold foods before I meet the robot.

Not that it matters, I took the magnesium citrate 30 minutes ago and the eggs have already been vacated from the premises. (Sorry I'm working hard to have a sense of humor right about now)

Post Edited (Pratoman) : 1/5/2015 12:29:29 PM (GMT-7)

Pratoman,

You'll be fine either way, I have faith. I always tell my guys that no matter how bad you think you've got it, there's always some poor guy out there who's got it worse.

Take, for instance, this guy:

http://nypost.com/2015/01/05/double-d-k-dude-describes-life-with-two-10-inchers/

Just imagine the challenges he'll have to deal with someday if he ever develops prostate issues...

Wow Fred, that's unbelivable. I wonder if he has a RALP, does he lose about an inch off each, or two inches off one, which would really suck.

On a serious note, thanks for the encouragement.

Not sure I get it, but I've got an eery calm right now.

Trust me, you will feel as though grey matter has vacated along with the eggs, by the time you finish the prep.  Thank God for MC, though, instead of GALLON JUGS of colon cleanse from the days before FIRE!     Keep that sense of humor, dude...It will serve you well as a constant companion.

As for the clear liquids, can you have applesauce?  I know it varies, but I was allowed a little, along with cups of hot chicken boullion (sic), and Jell-O.  Popsicles are great also, if for nothing more than the distraction of brain freeze.

I know you're nervous, Ken...but "Everything will be alright in the end.  If it is not alright, then it is not the end".  We go forward because that's the only direction God gives us.

Of course I never needed prostate surgery, but I've endured similar surgeries of the female equivalent...first via laparoscope (twice) then full open abdomen from sternum to pubic bone.  My cancer surgeon basically gutted me, trying to exise the vast amount of disease.  He told me that he did the best that he could, but it was like a shotgun blast to the abdomen...It was everywhere.  He followed up with series of Lupron and 7 years of a tumor-suppressing Megace, until I could take no more of the steroid-induced insanity.  I was never allowed to take HRT (even the compounded bio-identical variety) because it would feed the disease.  I went against doctor's orders after the 7 years of surgically induced menopause @ 33, determined to regain my femininity.  I tried the compounded HRT for several weeks.  It caused strange things to happen.  TMI, but I too exercise my funny bone, though sometimes lewd.  At first I grew body hair in places it was normally sparse, as I'm not a hairy person...anywhere=)  Then I noticed my scalp/skin becoming oily with onset of mild acne.  Freak out because I've always had porcelain skin, with no blemishes.  I joke that perhaps I could have coped with all of the above, including the outrageous growth of a "mighty Joe"...It's when I was convinced that the ball sack was next that I had to exit the program.  I couldn't handle a mangina.

I realize that was OT and too much sharing.  But...IF it took your mind off YOU and made you giggle...It's worth my humiliation, friend.

Hugs~~Dixie

Pratoman,

All the best on your surgery tomorrow.

Tim

Pratoman said...
Thanks Tim.

Only problem I have now is I'm hungry. But I need to lose some weight anyway.

Well by this time tomorrow, you will have lost another few ounces in the form of a useless, cancerous prostate.

Wishing you all the best.

Chas

LOL, Michael.
I really didn't set out to make myself the class project.
But I do appreciate the support. I don't want to take away from others issues they are dealing with.

I'm figuring the first week I'll, post daily if I can after surgery, for the benefit of future newbies, then ill taper it off .

I hope I didn't become obtrusive, if I offended anyone I apologize. I know I'm nuts.

Oh, and relax, I'm starting to get nervous again.

Good luck tomorrow, I found the surgery to be less traumatic than the biopsy. In a week this will be a blur.

Pat

It's a few hours until your surgery but I'm still up. Praying all goes well w/ you tomorrow on your surgery and that you are getting a good nights sleep. We all will be thinking of you!

Thank you .

We have liftoff

You did good with your due diligence. Being treated by one of the best. You'll do fine. See ya in a few!