Hello again my friends.

Good luck! Our prayers go with you.  The hard part of decisions, second guessing and such is about over, and we'll all see you on the other side. 

Hi Kris!

Our thoughts and prayers go with you tomorrow.  Before you know it you'll be on the right side of this disease . .the road to recovery.

Just a word of advice . . . be very sure "all is well" before you head out onto the road.  A 3 hour car trip the day following surgery may be pushing things a bit.  You are not the driver, right??

The old head isn't real clear (for driving decisions) for awhile after surgery.  Be sure and get out of your vehicle at least midway to stretch and avoid blood clots.

Best wishes . . .

;o) Linda & Bob

Good luck! Be sure to let those pain meds settle in before you head home. Before you know it, you'll be back for the cath removal, too.

---

Husband: Age 67
PSA had doubled in 14 mos to 4.3/Gleason 6
da Vinci 8/06 in Austin with Dr. Randy Fagin
Post surgical path shows encapsular penetration; possible bladder neck involvement.
PSAs remain undetectable; no further treatment at this time.
Next PSA: April 08

All the best Kris. As James.C said, the hard part is over. Relax now.Our prayers are with you. Report back on your recovery progress.

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Dx Age 48 Nov 07

PRE OP
Psa 4.5, Biopsy 2/8 cores positive Gleason 3+3
Wished had done enough research but was in muddy state of mind
Robotic surgery Jan 08

Found Healing Well Forum Feb 08

POST OP
Geason 3+3 ,10% both lobes, There is perineurial invasion
No extraprostatic spread seen , Seminal vesicles normal,Nerves spared
Cancer close to apex but margins clear T2c NXMX
Incontinence bad but in April 08- suddenly down to 1 pad
ED - started cialis once every 2 or 3 days from April but no improvement

glad to hear the surgery date is arriving. Being on the road to recovery is a much better feeling. We will all be patiently awaiting your return to us. The three hour drive should be interesting, do take it easy. As always keep the hopes and dreams alive and well.

peace to you
Dale

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My PSA at diagnosis was 16.3

I missed the last minute advice request.  Two things- walk as often as you can, as soon as you can after surgery.  Second, you will have a catheter and bag to collect urine, so you won't have to be running to  pee like before.  Take advantage of that and drink as much water as possible. This will rehydrate the body, help in flushing out blood clots and the surgery drugs and pain killers you have afterwards.  It takes probably a week or longer for most people to get the surgery drugs out of thier body, so flushing well with water will speed you recovery.  Soon enough you will have to be carrying yourself to the bathroom to pee, just like before...lol  Enjoy this aspect of it while you can..

HI Kris,
As James C said, lots and lots of water. We found out how important that has been in recovery.

Our best

kent and Cindy

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Age 51 Kent

Hi KrisP.

The time is at hand and the rest of your journey is just ahead of you. Everything will be just fine. Have you family and or friends around you and you will all be good. I would think about another day maybe in a hotel. I also had a long ride back home so take it easy and let us know how you are doing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mika

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age at dx 54 now 55

Good luck to you, Kris.

Hey Kris,

You are ready. The only thing left to do is to become a cheerleader for you surgical team. Remember that the only things they let you take in the OR are you naked body and a great attitude...

Jim

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Age 73. Diagnosed 11/03/06. PSA 7.05. Stage T2C Gleason 3+3.

KrisP,
You take it easy. While I don't know them personally, you have a great surgeon you have and a great facility. Read much about them. By the afternoon tomorrow you will be "on the other side", and on your way to healing. And, God willing, cancer free. That is something to look forward to. God Bless and be well.

Tony

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Age 45 (44 when Dx)

Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery KrisP....hurry back.

swim

---

 

KrisP,
The night before treatment...I hope sleep comes easy! You've made a great choice for hospital/surgery and are in very capable hands.
You know everyone here is wishing you the best,
Godspeed,
Susan

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Husband Diagnosed 11/17/05 Age: 63 PSA: 7.96 No Symptoms
2/09/06: LRP - Post Pathology - Gleason 4+3 Stage T2b NO MX
3 mo. PSA: 11.8 Stage T3a
6 mo. PSA: 18.8 Stage IV Systemic w/ distant lymph node involvement
Start HT - Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07: PSA 0.3
PSA - Undetectable since 6/07/07

Link to journey:
http://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=826731

Kris,

Wishing you a speedy recovery. Thinking of you today. Good luck with all and take care. See you when you get back. Lana & CJ

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Creed_three (Lana & CJ)

I wish you well on your surgery tomorrow, Randy.  You are in my prayers.  Take care and be well...Tim

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Age 59  PSA quadrupled in 1 yr (0.6 to 2.5) 

Hi KrisP,

Hey KrisP;

Wow! Tomorrow? I'm blown away!

You picked the very best surgical team so I have absolutely no doubt you'll come through this thing with flying colors. 7AM! That's early to have surgery and I think that's the best time. You'll be his first procedure of the day. My surgeon did me at about 11AM so I was the second guy on his schedule. I woke up in recovery at about 2PM and drifted off to sleep. The next time I woke up I was in my room with my family all around my bed. Just remember this, travel light! You'll most likely spend your entire hospital stay in a backless hospital gown. Take deodorant, you can't take a shower while you are in the hospital. Prayers, prayers prayers! We are rooting for you buddy.

---

SYMPTOMS: PSA Velocity=2.6 to 4.7 over 12 month period; DRE=Normal

PRE-OP STAGING: Biopsy=1 in 12 cores positive; Gleason 3+4=7; T1c; Bone scan=clear; CT scan=clear; da Vinci robotic LRP Jan2007 (@ age 58)

POST-OP PATHOLOGY: Adenocarcinoma; Gleason 3+3=6; T2c; Extra Prostatic Extension=Clear; Seminal Vesicles=Clear; Margins=Clear; Post-op PSA's (to date)=undetectable

Hi everyone, its me again. Thanks for all the advise and well wishes.

Just got in the hotel here in Austin and waiting for tomorrow. Got my wife and two daughters with me. They have been great in helping me. This pre surgery liquid diet is not going too well, can't wait for tomorrow to eat some real food if possible.

If all is well on Tuesday, my daughters and wife will share the drive back to Dallas. Also if they allow me to bring my puter in my room at the hospital I will report back how everything went tomorrow.

Thanks again for al the good and happy thoughts.

KrisP

I wish you well and a speedy recovery. I travelled for 1-1/2 hours after discharge (48 hours after DaVinci procedure) and it was more than enough travelling so take it easy. Like others have said build up the walking and drink plenty of fluids to clear out your system. Don't know about the solid foods the day after surgery though...............hospital staff usually want to see things moving before adding bulk.
Bill

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1/05 PSA----2.9 3/06-----3.2 3/07-------4.1 5/07------3.9 All negative DREs
Aged 59 when diagnosed
Biopsy 6/07----4 of 10 cores positive for Adenocarcinoma-------bummer!
Core 1 <5%, core 2----50%, core 3----60%, core 4----50%
Biopsy Pathologist's comment:
Gleason 4+3=7 (80% grade 4) Stage T2c
Neither extracapsular nor perineural invasion is identified
CT scan and Bone scan show no evidence of metastases
Da Vinci RP Aug 10th 2007
Post-op pathology:
Positive for perineural invasion and 1 small focal extension
Negative at surgical margins, negative node and negative vesicle involvement
Some 4+4=8 identified ........upgraded to Gleason 8
PSA Oct 07 <0.1 undetectable
PSA Jan 08 <0.1 undetectable

     Hi ~  Kris & Loved Ones,

 

Thinking of you and sending special thoughts your way as you move toward surgery day… 

 

We hope  “Our Journey” helps to guide you over at least one stepping-stone on your path.  Keeping you close… in thoughts and prayers. 

 

“Our hands will be on your shoulders”

special words borrowed from hamala

 

In Friendship,

 

~~*~~*~~*~~~)*&^%  Group Hug %^&*(~~~*~~*~~*~~

 

From the 3 of us...

Lee, Buddy, & Murphy

---

mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina

 

v          We invite you to visit our personal thread:  Click Here:  “Our Journey” ~ Sharing is Caring 

April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day

RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy

PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate

4th PSA 2-13-2008 (23 months) Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)

Kris:

Wife and two daughters to take care of you - what a lucky guy!! We will have you in our thoughts and look for your update soon.

Dutch

Kris

Good luck tomorrow, it will soon be over and you will be on the recovery side, here's hoping you have a speedy healing process.

Norskie

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norskie

Kris, I'm sorry I didn't get to reply before your procedure, and by now on Monday, your are hopefully on the otherside, cured and beginning your recovery! Remeber to take things a little slow and alow your body to heal, When I woke up in my room I was full of energy when one of my best friends came to visit, when he left a hour later ,I was bone dog tired! Use this time to relax with your family, and look toward a bright, cancer free future!

Beachbum

Hey Kris...just turned on my comp and realized that this is your date with Dr Fagin.  I am confident that he will do a good job...I told you before that I am scheduled for my operation with Dr Fagin on 30 April...I have always thought that we made the right decision as to the surgeon the only question that I have is the outcome and with this type cancer it is totally dependent on the individual and his glandular situation going in.  But I am extremely confident that if any Dr can get it out of us it will be Fagin.  All The luck in the world friend...keep me posted.