The Little Things you need

I have been reading so much I lost something that I thought was so well done.  Somewhere on this or another site there is a list of creature comforts to get and have on hand after surgery.  Does anyone no where that can be found??

Thanks so much.. Last weekend surgery Thursday.

Frank

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Frank S.

Age 53

Abmnormal PSA for 5 years>

2004 Biospy negative

2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)

10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core

Highest PSA 10

Lowest PSA   4

Current PSA   6

Bone and Ct scans negative

Staged at T1C

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Robotic Da Vinci scheduled March 27th, 2008

University of Chicago

Dr. Arieh Shalhav

Odd and unusual pain in pelvis, legs, hips, back and groin led to my insistance in another Biopsy (2008).  These symptoms have greatly improved after 5 months and all Doc's do not believe that these symptoms have anything to do with my Prostate Cancer.  I am not so convinced. May prove to be the most fortunate pain I have had.

Maybe one of these threads?

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=586391

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=934032

 

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James C. 

Help support the forums so they can support you:  https://www.healingwell.com/donate 

 

Age 60 

4/19/07   PSA 7.6, referred to Urologist, recheck 6.7

7/11/07   Biopsy- 16 core samples, size of gland around 76 cc. Staging pT2c

7/17/07   Path report:  3 of 16 PCa, 5% involved, left lobe , GS 3/3:6. 

9/24/07   (Open) Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy performed 

9/26/07   Post-op Path Report: GS 3+3=6 Staging pT2c, 110gms, margins clear

10/15/07  ED- begin 50mg Viagra and Vacurect pump nightly, Fully continent

11/15/07  1st Post-surgery PSA-0.01

01/14/08  Caverject started/stopped, aching.   .5ml Bimix started-success

 3/24/08   ED- 6 mts.-Viagra, pump, Bimix continues- no response

Those lists were a lifesaver for me. The recliner chair is a must.

Also, this may seem like a small thing..but I wish I had known to shave my thighs before I went in. They tape the catheter to your leg. I did it for the whole ten days of the cath being in. It is a huge saver in case the tube gets yanked on - the tape on your leg stops it from yanking all the way up.  You alternate legs every day. Hair free is much less irritating and painful tape removal.

Paul

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47 at Diagnosis.

Father died of Pca 4/07 at 86.

1/06 PSA 3.15

1/07 PSA 4.6      (Biopsy 3/07 just suspicious)

10/07 PSA 5.06   (Biopsy 11/07  1 of 12 with 8% involvment) (1mm)

Da Vinci surgery Jan 5, '08 at Mt. Sinai Hosp. NYC  www.roboticoncology.com

Saved both nerve bundles.

Path Report:  Stage T2cNxMx

-Gleason (3+3)6

-totally contained to prostate,

-10% involvement in L & R Mid lobes

Frank,

I had perineal surgery on Feb 20 and here are a few items that I found useful:

For the catheter mounting, I used the 3" wide bandage wrap that sticks to itself. I could easily wrap this around my leg and it secured the hose very well. It gave enough to allow for easy movement, and I only had to replace once a day. Just be sure to get a name brand or it may not stick well enough.

You may not have the issues I did, but a trip to your local medical supply store should get you the following goodies - mainly used for ostomy patients, and works good for babies as well. Aloe Vesta cleansing foam by ConvaTec, and zinc oxide based Calmoseptine Ointment (www.calmoseptineointment.com).

This is about all I can add. Good luck with your recovery.

Dave

Fast rising psa detected - topped at 3.3

45 at biopsy November 2007

gleason 3+4=7-

T1c

Perineal surgery Feb 20, 2008 at KUMED (due to previous bladder surgery)

Pathology 10%, all contained, spared one nerve bundle

Hi Frank,

I also took my own night robe to the hospital.  The nurses and helpers there get you out of bed pretty soon after surgery and usually want you to make a couple of laps around the hallways.  I found that my own robe was much more modest and much easier to put on myself than the hospital "gowns." 

All the best thoughts and prayers to you for a successful surgery, Frank!

Sincerely,

Barry

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"Idaho" ~ Barry

 

Da Vinci Surgery July 31, 2007… 54 on surgery day
PSA 4.3  Gleason 3+3=6  T2a  Confined to Prostate

1st PSA  9/11/2007   <0.04 (undetectable)

2nd PSA 12/10/2007  <0.04

My web site: http://pca-info.blogspot.com

Hi Frank,

Yes... I was 54 way back then

Now I'm 55 and still alive! (a little poetry, very little...)

We're looking forward to your personal post-surgery report!

Kind regards,

Barry

Thanks Wayne,

I will be shaving today.  Not too hairy am I but I will take what little I have.  Fasting all day today.  Tried to get all my work done before my surgery but could not so I am working from home today.  I am staying very busy probably the denial thing I guess.  I just dont want the depression that I have heard others have had.

Thanks again,

Wayne

---

Frank S.

Age 53

Abmnormal PSA for 5 years>

2004 Biospy negative

2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)

10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core

Highest PSA 10

Lowest PSA   4

Current PSA   6

Bone and Ct scans negative

Staged at T1C

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Robotic Da Vinci scheduled March 27th, 2008

University of Chicago

Dr. Arieh Shalhav

Odd and unusual pain in pelvis, legs, hips, back and groin led to my insistance in another Biopsy (2008).  These symptoms have greatly improved after 5 months and all Doc's do not believe that these symptoms have anything to do with my Prostate Cancer.  I am not so convinced. May prove to be the most fortunate pain I have had.

03-25-08 pain is back in my lower back off to the right side. Very unusual.  I will be very interested after the prostate is out the 27th to see how if effects this roving/changing pain I have been having on and off.

Thanks James

That is the first I heard of that.  I am making notes for my wife on that one.

Thanks again.

Frank

---

Frank S.

Age 53

Abmnormal PSA for 5 years>

2004 Biospy negative

2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)

10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core

Highest PSA 10

Lowest PSA   4

Current PSA   6

Bone and Ct scans negative

Staged at T1C

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Robotic Da Vinci scheduled March 27th, 2008

University of Chicago

Dr. Arieh Shalhav

Odd and unusual pain in pelvis, legs, hips, back and groin led to my insistance in another Biopsy (2008).  These symptoms have greatly improved after 5 months and all Doc's do not believe that these symptoms have anything to do with my Prostate Cancer.  I am not so convinced. May prove to be the most fortunate pain I have had.

03-25-08 pain is back in my lower back off to the right side. Very unusual.  I will be very interested after the prostate is out the 27th to see how if effects this roving/changing pain I have been having on and off.

 For jtp and others in the same boat:

The period of deciding what to do is very stressful.  Once you decide and have a date for treatment you will feel more relaxed.  This site and the links have a vast amount of information and advice.  As you can see the solutions vary by person.  If you are opting for surgery and have the option of selecting your surgeon by all means go with an experienced one at a hospital that does a lot of RPs.  Be sure to ask about how many DaVinci's and/or number of open surgeries performed. But keep reading as much as you can so you can be familiar with the details.  It was all new to all of us at some point.

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Age 59

PSA ; PSA 9/07=3.4; '06=3.2 DRE Negative; '05=2.4; '04=1.7

Biopsy 11/07 =  Stage T1c, 12 cores, 2 positive

Gleason score= 3+3=6

DaVinci Robotic RP surgery: 2/14/08

Path report: Gleason= 3+4=7; Stage T2c

jtp,

Valentine08 could not have said it better. I would suggest filling out a profile of what you know to date about your situation so others can see how similar they are to you. Age is a big factor I found out in consideration as well as other technical information as shown in your profile. I just got out of surgery thursday and have information about my experience in my profile. There are so so many men and care givers that have information to help you with. Stay with us. Ask questions. Ask lots of questions.

Welcome
Frank

Post Edited By Moderator (TC-LasVegas) : 4/1/2008 11:11:35 PM (GMT-6)

Pianoman,

I thought the same thing about the Ibroprophen.  I double and triple checked.  It is for the swelling.  It is clearly in their written instructions standard.  Take 650mg of tylenol every 6 hours and take 400 mg of Motrin every 6 hours.  Stagger so as to take one or the other every 3 hours for 5 days.  I decided in my infinite wisdom to take as needed and it seemed I swelled in certaini areas and urine got kool aid red.  Started back up on both with lots of water and rest and the urine changed to as clear as a Colorado spring.

Frank

---

Frank S.

diagnosed 01-08-08 53 years old 

Abnormal PSA for 5 years>

2004 Biospy negative

2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)

10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core

Highest PSA 10

Lowest PSA   4

Current PSA   6

Bone and Ct scans negative

Staged at T1C

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Robotic Da Vinci performed March 27th, 2008

University of Chicago

Dr. Arieh Shalhav

surgery at noon out to recovery at 500 pm

in recovery 3.5 hours

Cardiac rythum issues

Surgery thursday pm home friday pm

Thanks Pianoman I appreciate it very much..

---

Frank S.

diagnosed 01-08-08 53 years old 

Abnormal PSA for 5 years>

2004 Biospy negative

2008 Biopsy positive (01-08-08)

10 cores, 1 positive and at 1% of that one core

Highest PSA 10

Lowest PSA   4

Current PSA   6

Bone and Ct scans negative

Staged at T1C

Gleason 3+3 = 6

Robotic Da Vinci performed March 27th, 2008

University of Chicago

Dr. Arieh Shalhav

surgery at noon out to recovery at 500 pm

in recovery 3.5 hours

Cardiac rythum issues

Surgery thursday pm home friday pm