HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Surgery date

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 8/2/2006 5:05 PM (GMT 0)
Yesterday I scheduled my surgery for Nov I, Today I already recieved the pre and post operative directives for the procerure. I have and still am doing fine mentally, but having scheduled the surgery and getting this packet hit me like a ton of bricks. This is real. No more debate, no more trying to decide what to do. Up until now it's been ya ya I have cancer, I'll research it, I'll decide what to do, I have plenty of time etc, etc. Now it time to #%$^ or get off the pot, you really do have cancer. So any fantasy that this may have just been a dream and may just go away when I wake up just went poof. I can deal with and and I shall, keep a stiff upper lip all.

I'ts nice to have a place I can ramble on. Thanks

Posted 8/2/2006 8:16 PM (GMT 0)

Yep daveed,

You've started the process with the decision to fix a date. This is a big deal, a somewhat scarey thing, but you have decided to take control to beat this cancer. So did we, and it was scarey for us too. That's what we're here for to support you, and comfort you, and help you any way we can. Soon you'll be the veteran (been there done that), and you'll help calm the nerves of the next guy who's stepping new into the PCa fight.

Now then will be a good time to start getting in top physical condition, Kegel exercises, jogging, and diet/suppliments (pomegranate juice maybe). All these things will aid in your recovery. Please keep us posted, and good luck.

Glen

Posted 8/2/2006 9:24 PM (GMT 0)
Glen has good advice.  If you have some extra pounds, probably a good time to lose them.  I did lots of sit ups daily and kegels by the drove while driving to and from work.  I'm glad I did the exercises and I believe it helped tremendously as I did not have major continence issues and am running around 100% now from a June 5 operation.  The doctors and hospitals manage pain and in many respects my worst time was the apprehension on the day prior.  Thinking about the operation on the drive to Richmond prior was tough.  Soon it will be behind you.  Good luck.
Posted 8/3/2006 2:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks all. That was one of the reasons I scheduled in Nov to give me time to lose 20 pounds before surgery. Were you even able to sleep the night before surgery?
Posted 8/3/2006 4:04 PM (GMT 0)

Hi daveed,

As a matter of fact I didn't sleep too well the night before surgery. I got myself all worked up. I'm sure I was a hand full for my wife and daughter to deal with the day of the operation. At the hospital the waiting seemed like an eternity, but finally the doctor and nurse came and got me. Within 20 minutes they had me settled down, and the anesthesiologist said:" Now I'm just going to give you something that will relax you a bit, and....." The next thing I can remember is waking up in recovery; it was just that fast. My point is; apparently I got my self all worked up over this surgery, and in a second it was over.

I'm sure your surgeon is going to be every bit as good as mine was. So if you can keep your mind occupied with other things (exercising, diet, and the up coming pennat races if your fortunate enough to have a team in contention) you'll be just fine.

Good luck, and keep us posted.

Glen

Posted 8/3/2006 5:13 PM (GMT 0)
Go Tigers
Posted 8/3/2006 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
Might as well sleep, you can't change anything. Everything is in motion. My hospital was super friendly and when I was in prep the entire surgery team stopped by and introduced themselves. When the nurse who fooling around with the IV says this will burn a little, but don't worry, its a preparation for anesthesia, you have about 30 seconds at best and the next memory will be the recovery room.
Posted 8/25/2006 10:21 PM (GMT 0)
Glen,
What kinds of diet/suppliments should I get for my husband before surgery?
Wicket

Post Edited By Moderator (TC-LasVegas) : 4/10/2008 6:28:55 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/25/2006 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

Hello Wicket,

Sorry I haven't been at the computer much today. I wrote down the supliments that Swimom recomended, and I can't find the list. Hopefully Swim will catch this post and help us out otherwise I will continue to search. I do recall one thing my wife brought home; Pomagranite Juice the flavor is rather unique, and needed to be mixed with OJ. After the first few months I went back to my normal Centrum Silver, and A Calcium supliment.

Found Swimom's List! B-12, B-50, Theralogix, C-500, Chromium-400, and Magnesium. I hope this will help. As with any meds or supliments you should first check with your doctor to make sure they will be ok for your husband to take prior to his procedure.

Good luck, to you both we'll be here for you.

Glen

Posted 8/26/2006 5:15 AM (GMT 0)
Wicket,

The vitimans Paul was on before surgery are almost what he's on today.
about 2 or so weeks before surgery I had him on the same suplements he was on for 3+ months post op. Glen may have read what Paul was on however the chromium is because he's a controlled diabetic so don't include that one. Magnesium 200-250 once a day really helps prevent spasms. Mag in low doses seems to have an almost calming effect on some people, especially women since we're the most likely to be deficient.

The post-op vits that seemed to really assist in recovery and stamina are B-50, B12 1000mcg, C-500 mg and if desired, a mens multi. If you don't want a multi then add E-200IU and A-5000IU. I'd be careful adding a multi. Some people get an upset stomach when on B vitamins. Men do not require a lot fo B-6 or iron long term (per the Doc) so after Paul felt fully recovered we went back to his usual. A and E should be stopped a week prior to surgery. A,E,C and B are our healing vitamins!

There is some evidence that selenium (200) daily 3 weeks prior to a prostatectomy or breast cancer surgery may reduce tumor volume and the risk of surgical margins. I found that one interesting. Paul's surgeon is still doing extensive testing on selenium and believes it does help although he admits the studies are still underway and undocumented.

After several weeks on the B vitamins I took Paul off of them. After a few days he asked if he could continue them because he felt better taking them. He continued them without the multi for, like I said, 3+ months.

Nothing can replace a good diet so a well balanced diet is important. Paul is Greek so a mediteranean diet is our norm. He eats so many fruits, whole grains and veggies as it that he required nothing to keep his digestive track moving. A stool softener is suggested for a while after surgery although he didn't require them. He's just a regular kinda guy!

I personally think all of us should consume some amount of red meat, especially after surgery. Twice a week is pretty normal for us. Not only is protein necessary for healing and energy, red meat and dark green veggies are higher in B-12 and iron..both necessary for energy, building healthy red blood cells and tissue regeneration. Not to mention, warding off dementia. Too late for me but save yourselves...LOL!

Hope yer not too confused...AEC and B...if nothing else, those 4 work wonders. I talk about the importance of E later. Swim
Posted 8/26/2006 8:11 PM (GMT 0)
Hi daveed,

Congratulations on your date, and moving in a direction to put this behind you. We just confirmed our date on Thursday. It will be September 18th. Which type of surgery did you decide to go with?

swimom, you are an endless fountain of information :)

Kate
Posted 8/28/2006 12:11 PM (GMT 0)
I have decided on robotic laproscopic. Met with the surgeon at Henry Ford (Detroit). My wife and I felt very reassured after our meeting and believe Dr. Peabody is a good choice. He is second to Dr. Menon.


Post Edited By Moderator (TC-LasVegas) : 4/10/2008 6:29:17 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 8/28/2006 4:07 PM (GMT 0)
daveed,

You'll be in our neck of the woods for your surgery. Would you mind a visitor to the waiting room? Well, not you, you'll be busy with a robot.
Would your wife mind a visitor? Just a quick stop to say hello.
Swim
Posted 8/28/2006 4:12 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think my wife would mind at all!!!. We live in Dearborn Heights which as you know is just a stones throw (well maybe not) from Downtown. We will keep in touch.

Posted 8/28/2006 9:36 PM (GMT 0)
Daveed,

Heck, I thought ya'll were from somewhere else! Your closer to HFM than we are. We're in Plymouth/Canton....the snob neighborhood!

Posted 9/3/2006 4:52 PM (GMT 0)
Small world isn't it!!! We were just in Meridian, Idaho where Wicket lives.. Glenn (Spinbiscuit) was born in DC and raised in Maryland where Buddy grew up and our nephew lives. It's nice to know Swimom and Daveed are close!!!     Daveed,   Your positive attitude got you this far and will definitely carry you through!!!   11-1 will be here before you know it but I'm sure you're going to need us!   So don't hesitate to ramble as you call it!!     It's good for the heart, mind, and soul... to know others are there for you!!!   And we are :)   Take care and know we all care, Lee & Buddy
Posted 9/4/2006 3:32 AM (GMT 0)
Bluebird,

You were just in Meridian, Idaho? When was that? Wish I'd of known that maybe we could have met.
Posted 9/5/2006 2:19 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Ellen, Me too!!!!! That would have been ultimate for sure. I could have given you a big warm fuzzy *HUG*.
Buddy & I traveled through Idaho on August 14th. Maybe next time!! Take care, Lee

Post Edited By Moderator (TC-LasVegas) : 4/10/2008 6:30:34 PM (GMT-6)

✚ New Topic ✚ Reply