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We aren't ready for this Friday

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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 12/13/2007 5:22 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know if DB is getting cold feet about the robot surgery on Friday the 14th or what, but he seems scared and I never have seen him like this in our 36 years together.  I have been scared right since the beginning because he decided to opt for the robot instead of the open.  They didn't even mention an open option to him and I guess they are getting away from that surgery.  We have only one robo doc here and he is pretty new.  I bet he has done 100 or so by now.  I tryed to talk Den into the open, but he thinks he has to get back to work asap.  So we have already done the presurgery testing and labs, and today, two days before his prostate removal, his family doctor has the nurse call DB at work and tell him that the doc wants him to get schedualled for a physical.  DB said, he was having his prostate removed and would not be able to do it right away, and wondered why after 30 years of going to this guy, he was suddenly wanting a physical.  Besides the pre-surgery testing was like a physical. I just don't get it.   I bet there was blood in the urine, from the prostate biopsy.  So my question is this:  How long after the surgery will his body be kind of normal and be ready for a physical.  How long will there be blood in the urine? I am not feeling good about this surgery, and now I am wondering if the family doc knows something we don't about the results of the presurgery tests. I would ask DB to call him back, and ask, but at this point we just want to get the cancer out.  He has waited so long as it is. Also how do I get the info after the surgery that you guys have in your signitures?  Do they give you a print out of all that stuff?  When?

Thanks, Les and DB 

Posted 12/13/2007 5:36 AM (GMT 0)

Hi Hopeso!

I just wanted to wish you the best for your upcoming surgery. When we went to the follow up appointment after the surgery (1week) the Dr. gave us a copy of the pathology report. You may want to call your Doc.'s office an explain that he is having surgery on Friday and you would like to have a copy of his medical records in case questions should come up during the surgery. Maybe if you can look thru his records you can put your mind at ease. Anyway I will say a prayer for you both and again wish you the best during the surgery.

Diana

Posted 12/13/2007 5:51 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Les and DB,

You should get a post-op pathology report. That is what tells the story as far as the cancer being gone.

Good luck and remember we are all here for you...

Jim
Posted 12/13/2007 9:37 AM (GMT 0)

Hopeso said...
 So my question is this:  How long after the surgery will his body be kind of normal and be ready for a physical.  How long will there be blood in the urine? I am not feeling good about this surgery, and now I am wondering if the family doc knows something we don't about the results of the presurgery tests. I would ask DB to call him back, and ask, but at this point we just want to get the cancer out.  He has waited so long as it is. Also how do I get the info after the surgery that you guys have in your signitures?  Do they give you a print out of all that stuff?  When?

Thanks, Les and DB 

Hopeso,
I love typing that name!

You have opted for surgery and your physician of choice feels you are a good candidate for robotic surgery.  Weighing the benefits of open to robotoic laperascopic usually leans toward robotic unless you have certain issues (examples: lesions from previous surgeries that would prevent insertion of tools or a high gleeson that warrants "feeling" around a little more.)
Some do just choose open  but most go with the physician of choice's recommendation.
It sounds like you two thought this all through very carefully.
Second-guessing yourself so close to surgery as your emotions feel the tidal forces of uncertainty -
    - is probably not a very good idea.

The blood in the urine will be from the reattachment of the urethra and is normal for up to six weeks or so as the suturing heals.
As for the physical, WAIT!  You do need to eventually get back to your general practitioner and do thank them for keeping in touch at this trying time. -
   - However,  you will be in the "watchful care of your surgeon" for at least 3 months or so. 
Besides, the recuperation from the trauma in the pubic cavity could throw off blood pressure, white blood cell counts, and as you noted urine analysis.

Your GP and Surgeon will give you some idea of how long to wait post-surgery for the check-up.
Probably in six months, "fit-as-a-fiddle"  -as we hope so!

Your Friend,

CCedar
ICTHUS!
Posted 12/13/2007 1:10 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, Hopeso. What you're going through is perfectly normal. We sat in the hotel room the night before surgery and were ready to back out. We knew better, of course, and when the alarm went off at 4 the next morning, off we went!

Today, you'll be concentrating on going through prep and thinking about foods for afterward and the gear you'll want to have ready when you return home. Think ahead and not about the present. Think how fast a day goes by normally - in a very short period, you'll be done!

For signatures - look in the upper left corner where it says LogOff/Control Panel. Click on control panel and scroll to the bottom of the page. There's a block there for your info. Just type it in and save it.

Remember, everyone gets scared. But you're very brave to be fighting this disease and you'll truly get through. We'll be waiting to hear from you!

Edit: When you get to Control Panel, click on the bar that says "Edit Profile," then go to the bottom of the page.
Posted 12/13/2007 2:52 PM (GMT 0)

Can't really add anything, "cold feet" are normal.  I certainly experienced that.  I'm 2 weeks past surgery & still have blood in urine about 50% of the time.  It's not very worrisome to me.  As I sit here, if pressed I could go back to work but I'm a desk jockey.  Fortunately I have the option not to rush back to work too soon.  Heck, all the work will be there when I get back anyhow.

Best wishes for you and DB.  The surgery will be behind you before you know it.  The anticipation of it all was worse for me than the actual event.

RTR

Posted 12/13/2007 4:40 PM (GMT 0)

I felt very scared, uncertain, and emotionally on edge before surgery.  Your husband's reaction sounds  typical of what many of us have experienced.  It is also common to feel depression in the days/months after surgery (I did).  This stuff all goes with the territory! It's prostate cancer, for Pete's sake, and as human beings it's normal to feel abnormal in the face of a life-threatening disease, with our emotions all over the place!

I got the pathology report a week or so after surgery. Take care and hang in there...Tim


Posted 12/13/2007 7:14 PM (GMT 0)

Hopeso,

It sounds like DB is about the same age as I am.  I am weeks post surgery using the daVinci robotic.

I wouldn't worry about the call from the GP.  Many times they don't remember which patient is doing what and just make these calls as a routine.

Although everyone is different, the surgery should go just fine.  Mine took two hours longer than normal because the doc said my pelvis was very narrow and deep so stiching thngs back up was more difficult.  I was in hospital overnight and the catheter was out at 7 days post op.

My incisions are pretty much healed up except for a very small scab on one, I'm still a little tender inside but I have no trouble sitting up as normal.

Excercise afterward is important.  Everything you read says that walking is critical.  I have been walking for 45 min. twice a day since I got home.  Today I even started back to the Gym.  Used the elipitical trainer for 30 min..  No heavy lifting yet though, 10-15 lbs. should be OK.

Continency is getting better and I usually use only one pad a day.

Everything will be OK!  Stay in contact so you can get the support yu need.

Wayne

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