DaVinci Scheduled 9/13/06

I just found this site and am happy to see all the additional info it provides. 

I am 54 and just diagnosed last Friday with PC - PSA was 6.0, biopsy two weeks ago, 4 of 12 cores showed cancer, all Gleason 6 (3+3), 2 others were suspect (neoplasia).  I have a consult appt. wth Dr. Lee in Philadelphia (about 2 hours away from me) in mid-September.  Dr. Lee is reputed to be in the group of "best" robotic prostectomy surgeons in the country.

Don't really have any questions right now - just a great desire (like most) for lots of info.

By the way, for the detail-oriented, non-squemish types  , I found a 30 minute video showing the DaVinci surgery on http://www.ucihs.uci.edu/urology/prostate/prostate_videos/videos.htm

Post Edited (Rick54) : 8/15/2006 10:13:17 AM (GMT-6)

Hello Rick,

Welcome to the club. It's not that I like to see new members, but if you've been diagnosed this sight will be a great comfort to you before, and after your da Vinci procedure. Hope all goes well for you in September. Please keep us posted on your progress, or if you have any concerns.

Glen

Well, we saw Dr. Engel at GWU Hospital in Washington DC and were extremely pleased.  He is very personable and took us all the way through all the options.  Obviosuly, we think surgery is the right choice for me and that DaVinci is the right choice in surgery.

I am scheduled for surgery on September 13th.  Not nervous yet, but I suspect I will be once the day gets closer.  All the info on this forum has really helped me prepare both mentally and physically!  Thanks to all. 

Rick54 Welcome to the club ( I think I am an official member now) I have found this site extremely helpful in making my decision to have robotic surgery. It seems that for the majority of guys that have had surgery things have not turned out as bad as the worst case scenerios would suggest. That in itself is very reassuring. Everyone on this site is very supportive of each other and it's a good site to vent, question or commiserate. Again Welcome

Thanks for the kind thoughts.

I am certainly feeling pretty good based on all the experiences that are shared here. It does help to know what other guys have gone through.

(Glen) When was your surgery with Dr. Engel? What has been the timeframe for recovery you have experienced?

We are still trying to decide whether my wife will stay at a hotel in DC or drive back and forth to our house (1 hour drive) for the one night in the hospital. She is also considering sleeping in the hospital room. I plan to push for the hotel - more comfortable for her.

Post Edited (Rick54) : 8/15/2006 10:21:12 AM (GMT-6)

Hi Rick,

My surgery was on 2/23/06; that was late Thursday afternoon (3 pm). The procedure took 2 hours, or at least that's what my wife told me. All I can recall is the anesthesiologist telling me about the meds, and the next thing I was waking up in recovery. I went home Saturday morning at 9:30 am. Dr. Engel wanted to keep me over night to make sure that I could be sent home with a drain tube still attached. Both the drain tube and catheter came out on Tuesday. By the 10th week I was about 95% dry. My recovery would have been routine except I had to under go a hernia operation about 4 months later. (Do not attempt lifting a micro-wave oven after your procedure)

My wife wanted to stay in the room with me, but the nurse informed us it was not allowed. I would still call GWU hospital, and see if they may have exceptions for out of town couples. If that is not possible at least she can us the Metro to and from the hospital (find a hotel with a Metro stop near by). All things considered I was very pleased with Dr. Engel and GWU hospital. If you need further details please don't hesitate to ask.

Glen

Rick,

GWU Hosp has an agreement with the Marriott across the street and you can get a special rate. but you can get free! we live about 1-1/2 hours away and I plan on staying at the hotel when my husband has open surgery on Aug 30. I dread the thought of driving back and forth! the hotel's name says something about GWU hosp conference center. that sounds like a great option. Dr Lynch is performing the surgery.

Hi Rick,

My wife drove into town because we live just outside of the city. M. Kat's lead on the Washington Marriott sounds like the best bet that way your wife can walk or take a cab to the hosp. The phone # is: 202-872-1500, and the address is: 1221 22nd st., N.W., Washington, D.C. This would be about 3 blocks from GWU Hospital.

Good luck,

Glen

There is a Best Western right across the street from the ER

Thanks for the note, Glen.

Yes, we made reservations at the Marriott for the night before and the night of surgery.  Guess my wife will have to stay alone the night of surgery, eh?

It is nice to know that Dr. Engel cares.  We were really impressed with him when we met him earlier this month.  I'm glad to hear your PSA was undetectable again - every check without recurrence is a great blessing!

Rick,
I hope I can be of some help. I am also 54 and its been 8 days post DaVinci surgery to remove my prostate. I chose Dr. Eric Mayer head of urology at St. Lukes Hospital in Bethlehem, PA. The results speak for themselves. The catheter tube is out and no incontinence.
To back up a little, the surgery went smoothly, about 4 hours. One issue I became quite nauseous from the morphine, anesthesia or the combination of both. The first morning after surgery I became quite light headed. I tried some beef broth and apple juice and threw those up. So ice cubes alone would of been better for me. At any rate I had no appetite until Saturday. I really don't think I needed any morphine, for I had no pain only discomfort when moving around, getting up etc.

The next surprise was during a bowel movement, some urine exited my penis around the catheter bulb. Well, I thought I broke a seal or something. The Dr., Dr. Leonard another excellent urologist at St. Lukes assured me that was normal.

I left the hospital on Monday Aug.28, really should have departed on the 27th. with catheter. No big deal on the catheter, I showered on Tuesday with leg bag and switched to the larger bag during the day and night. Important to let gravity do the job with the bags, not smart to have any backflow to minimize urinary tract or bladder infections. The nurse at St. Lukes mentioned the urine is okay or sterile 4 inches out after that could contain bacteria. Not sure of the accuracy of those numbers.

On Wednesday everything was perfect, 7 days post surgery when the catheter just slides out of the bladder. My wife and I nearly died, she was ready to call the rescue squad when I said to call the doctor. The doctor assured her I was in no danger.

But a new chapter opened up, incontinence. Quick shuffle of procedures around the house. After a half dozen or so bowel movements with voiding during the night, I believe I am incontinence free.

Feel free to ask any questions or concerns you like. I have found this website extremely helpful also, being a Chemist and detail oriented person.

Ed from NJ.

Sounds like a typical day at Ed's house. Good job on the cath. Hope Doc didn't charge for that! Glad you're doing well.

Paul

Monday 18th...
I guess you didn't get my Saturday 16th posting... here
I pulled up today and saw where Glen did a new Thread today... and you answered :)
So........... I'll head over there.
Take care...