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Catheter out - Waiting for first Post-Op PSA test

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Posted 4/30/2008 4:18 AM (GMT -8)
Hi to all my friends again!

Well yesterday I went for the removal of the catheter and most of it went well. After the catheter was removed I was able to stop and start urine. My only disappointment was the upgrade of the Gleason score and the clinical stage. Although the margins were clear, for some reason I was kind of sad on my three hours drive back to Dallas from Austin. I don't know if I'm reading too much into the pathologist latest report of the removed prostate, maybe here is where some folks with their score being upgraded can advise me. Dr. Fagin did say it's good news that the margins are clear.

Another good news I guess is after the removal of the catheter, I was able to start and stop my urine. The nurse gave me a pad but I had one also so I put on both. I was very surprised that traveled for three hours and did not had the urge to urine (knock on wood) and the pad did not had a drop of urine after I got home. The only thing I did different was, I did not had any thing to drink all day except for an early morning cup of coffee, which was five hours prior to the catheter removal. Also I spent my first night catheter free with the pull-up type pad (the one looks like a regular underpants) and checked this morning and there was no sign of urine on the pad (knock on wood again). I did had to get up about four times during the night to go to the bathroom. Again I'm taking this as good/positive signs.

Please let me know if I'm worrying too much about the upgrade scores.

Thanks

KrisP

 

Posted 4/30/2008 4:42 AM (GMT -8)
KrisP - Good news! The best part right now is no incontinence when sitting or lying down. That is really, really, great.

We do know that let-down about the post-path upgrade - ours was a second train mowing us down. We'd gone from a 5% of 1 core to a whole bunch of possibles (bladder neck involvement/cancer cell leakage into fatty tissue). Those tiny needles during a biopsy can miss a lot! So, it stands to reason that could happen when the pathologist gets a better look at the entire gland.

Try to focus on the clear margins - that is superb! You can certainly expect to get an undetectable on your PSA.

Remember to take it easy.
Posted 4/30/2008 4:47 AM (GMT -8)
Kris,
I am so happy your cath is out!! I know its a relief. You are doing great. Kent is still fighting the incontinence right now. Does well at night and in the morning but a good cough and watch out!
I think you are off to a great start and I'm so very happy for you!
Keep us posted and you stay in our thoughts and prayers.
Cindy
Posted 4/30/2008 5:36 AM (GMT -8)
All of this sounds positive Kris. . . once we are on this journey we really learn some lessons in "waiting" .. . .the specialist appointment; the biopsy; the result; the surgery; pathology; PSA's and on and on. . . it really becomes a waiting game.

Take every bit of good news and hang on to it. . . .your margins are clear . . .YEAH! . . . . .

Do remember to keep up the fluid intake, even if there is some leaking . . .it's important to keep your body hydrated to get rid of all the surgery after effects and just for general good health.

Our prayers go with you as we continue to follow you in your journey. . . . thanks for keeping us up to date. This is good for everyone!

;o) Linda & Bob
Posted 4/30/2008 5:52 AM (GMT -8)

Kris:

Glad to hear it's going ok.

I'm 3 weeks with cath out and my sleeping and sitting is getting a lot better.Walking and standing is still pretty leaky.

It sure is nice to ave that cath out.

Posted 4/30/2008 5:59 AM (GMT -8)

Kris,

Great going with the leakage...or lack thereof.

As Dr. Fagin said, it is wonderful that the margins were clear.

Once you feel up to it, let's have that coke or lunch that we spoke of.

DanMan

Posted 4/30/2008 6:18 AM (GMT -8)

 Kris, The great news is both clear margins and no leaking! I was also blessed with no leaking, and also had my score upgraded from a six to seven. That is OK, the most important think is clean margins, he was able to remove ALL your cancer. I'm sure you will have a ZERO PSA report soon.

Beachbum

Virginia Beach

Posted 4/30/2008 6:33 AM (GMT -8)
Kris

Chose to look at the bright side, the up-grade of the gleason score indicates that things were more agressive then first thought but you took action and are ahead of the game especially with a report of clear margins. This hopefully means you got it out before it could get out and cause many more problems. Also it sounds like your doing great after removal of the catheter to have no leaks and hold on. In those first few nights after mine was removed I remember getting up 4, 5 or even 6 times a night but it got much better as time went on. Good luck moving forward, you've cleared a major hurdle and are doing great.

Norskie
Posted 4/30/2008 6:54 AM (GMT -8)

Hi Kris,

Great news for you.  Next step toward recovery.  Boy being dry so soon is great.  I am  about 5 weeks out and not to much improvement.  Good for you.  I am taking the advice given here and walking and walking and walking. 

Frank

Posted 4/30/2008 7:15 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks all for your support and best wishes!

My doc prescribed one Levitra (20mg) every other night and not sure if this is the reason for me not being able to fall asleep on the nights I'm taking these tablets. I was wondering if anyone else is having this issue.

Frank, I did lots of walking between surgery and post op. Not sure if this helped with the inconsistent but it sure helped me with my stamina.

Kris

Posted 4/30/2008 4:03 PM (GMT -8)
On the Gleason and stage upgrade, my husband's urologist warned him ahead of surgery that the thoroughness of the pathology analysis, as opposed to the sampling done in a biopsy, might well result in changes in both measurements.  And this was the case for my husband.  You are not alone.  Clear margins are a definite positive outcome you can focus on. I should say that after the change of Gleason score and staging we felt that surgery did show conclusively a more accurate picture which was a bit more serious and now the prostate is out, gone, history.  Now on to that pesky incontinence.  
Posted 4/30/2008 4:24 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Kris,

Great news all around - yes we too had a disappointment with the location of another lesion during the op, however CJ knew about the Gleeson 7 from his biopsy. Not that unusual for younger men. Even better that you too caught it early. Your disappointment will mellow with time - all prayers and good thoughts coming your way for the first PSA. As Greenacres says, we understand the disappointment, but the accuracy of the tests and clear margins in path report, are great to know also.

CJ was also lucky with the catheter removal. Although many do not believe it, he (CJ) was immediately continent, not a leak, so take it easy and it is possible that you may have no further problems with leaking. Yes, CJ was going much more frequently at night too, but still no dripping. He still has some urgency when he needs to go, but makes sure he relieves his bladder regularly and has had no problems since. Taking it easy now, as it is essential to let your body heal. Let us know how you go and take good care Kris.

I don't know of any others who have done this, but I started CJ on 2 small glasses of (low sugar) Cranberry juice each day after about a week post-op until about 4 weeks post surgery (am and pm), and this seemed to keep the urine nice and clear for the first month. He didn't like the taste, but I think it helped kept him free from post op infections, and two small glasses worked for us when CJ was focusing on his continence in the first few weeks. However he did cut down the coffee and substituted it with green tea, as coffee gave him a sense of urgency in those first few weeks. All the very best and thinking of you Kris. Lana
Posted 4/30/2008 4:36 PM (GMT -8)
Kris,

Glad to hear your got rid of the umbilical chord and you are retaining liquids sometimes. I wouldn't worry about the upgrade because, as some said here, the pathology report is more accurate than the biopsy, which can easily miss stuff. Clear margains are a good sign.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Funny story to cheer you up: I changed pads this afternoon and immediately felt leakage and couldn't figure out why. I dropped my pants to check and discovered by put on the pad backwards (repellent side in). No wonder it didn't stick. haha
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