This Week So Far

Hi all,
I thought I would give quick recount of my week so far.
Sunday evening my wife and I made the 4 hour journey to Brisbane and stayed in accommodation directly across from the entrance to the hospital. Great for easy access.
Up on Monday morning at 5:00am and at the hospital by 6am. Last food was 7pm Sunday night.
The hospital had a very efficient administrative process and I was laying in pre op by 7am where I met the anaesthesiologist for the first time. Easy going fellow, and I had confidence with him straight away. My urologist also dropped in for a chat and told me again what was going to happen. 7:30 am wheeled into theatre and place on the narrowest bed I have ever been on. Quick talk to all present then off into the land of Zs.
Awoke in post op with no great pain but shivering uncontrollably. A reaction that I know I have to a deep anaesthetic. Shivering finally stopped and I was transferred to my room with pain meds and lots of attention. Actually felt pretty good with the only real discomfort being the catheter and a really sore back from laying for too long. Spent a restful day in the ward and had many nurses prod and poke where I rarely get prodded and poked. The care was fantastic, and everything I asked for was looked at and catered for. I kept up the water intake and by evening my urine was totally clear with no blood. Stil had a sore back though. The staff monitored my blood pressure and pulse plus oxygen levels every half hour for the first 12 hours. I also had a Temperature of 38.1 degrees so was put on a course of extra antibiotics and bloods were taken. That seemed to clear, however, every evening since I have had a slightly elevated temperature. Probably the most painful thing was the anti coagulation needle and the removal of the drain. Ouch! Plenty of fluids going into my body via the IV as well as me drinking heaps of water.
Had very little sleep that night due to my sore back, but I knew that I had plenty of time to rest down the track.
The next morning I was showered, got up out of bed for a walk around the hospital and generally was taken well care of. The physio came I and showed me how to get out of bed easily without strain, and what I should be doing physically from here on.
My stomach was somewhat bloated, or swollen, still not sure which, and remains that way at the moment, with some slight pain in that area.
At 3 pm Tuesday I was released from hospital and my wife drove us 2 hours down the road to a point closer to home. Stayed in a motel,that night. Again did not sleep,well, but more due to the fact I was laying on my back the whole time which I am not used to.
Next morning we got up and had trouble finding breakfast so ended up walking 1.3 km before we found the right place. A good start to my walking regime. Continued in the car and arrived home after another 2 and a bit hour drive. Sat down and made sure pay TV was working. Spent the rest of the day relaxing.
On Thursday, I did 4 short 400 m walks and was quite tired, however that night I could actually roll on my side to sleep for about an hour at a time. Heaven!
Here it is now Friday morning and I am watching the Cavaliers play the Bulls. Go the Bulls! Actually a Timberwolves fan because of the Auzzie content.
I must say other than soreness, ( not unbearable), uncomfortableness from the catheter, ( getting used to it), a swollen abdomen, and general weariness, I actually feel quite good. All in all, not as bad as I thought it would be.
Will keep walking every hour or two and look forward to getting the catheter out Monday morning and getting the pathology results. The urologist did say he was able to spare the nerves and thought the cancer was contained, so am very hopeful that the whole thing was a success.
Cheers
Greg

Sounds as uneventful as a first few days after RALP can be - just the way you want it. Welcome to the other side.

hi Greg,
Welcome to the other side...sound like you are doing well.

all the best to your coming path report...