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KW's AUS Journey

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lawink
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 621
Posted 9/2/2008 10:33 AM (GMT -8)
Kw - we have been out of town since the first of August . . .am following your journey with interest and just want to wish you all the best with your AUS. We will be reading closely in early October.

;o) Linda & Bob
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divo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 637
Posted 9/3/2008 3:00 AM (GMT -8)
We had the preop today, and the AUS surgery is on for Monday. Pete used KW's phrase about "Mr. Hang", and the young doctor that was assisting our surgeon in answering questions roared with laughter. He had never heard that! It was a bright moment! Di
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divo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 637
Posted 9/3/2008 3:02 AM (GMT -8)
We had the preop today, and the AUS surgery is on for Monday. Pete used KW's phrase about "Mr. Hang", and the young doctor that was assisting our surgeon in answering questions roared with laughter. He had never heard that! It was a bright moment! Di
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kw
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 883
Posted 9/3/2008 11:44 AM (GMT -8)
What Phrase was that???? I want to make sure the proper person get's the credit.
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kw
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 883
Posted 10/4/2008 7:10 PM (GMT -8)
    Time to Flip the Switch!!!!

 

    Hey Everyone,  Tomorrow I head back to Dallas for my Activation appointment on Monday.  From talkin to the other guys that have had theirs it is pretty simple.  Just a few pumps and a push of the button and it starts workin.  Of Course I will have a blow by blow story when I get back home.

    On Monday morning I am meeting with GENE(I forget the numbers???) and Jetguy.  I'm looking forward to seeing these great guys agian.

    I will holler back at you all when I get back.

    KW

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Berb
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 93
Posted 10/4/2008 8:56 PM (GMT -8)
Good luck with the activation KW.

I continue to be happy with mine. The urge episodes seem to be getting less and it seems that I can carry a little more in my bladder than when the activation was done. So that's encouraging. I'm having 1 ditropan (oxybutynin) tablet before I go to bed and that has made a big difference to the number if times I had to get up at night.

Berb
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Gene214
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 422
Posted 10/5/2008 11:22 AM (GMT -8)

Dito...

I'm now eleven and a half weeks post implants and seven weeks post activation... and I am still very pleased with the AUS (and IPP).  No disappointments here so far. 

Gene214


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kw
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 883
Posted 10/7/2008 6:15 PM (GMT -8)
    Only 5,568 Pads and I'm DRY!!!!!! Ok....OK....I did not keep that accurate of a count but with some simple math that is pretty close!!!!!

   

    Hey Everyone, Are you ready to hear my take on the AUS activation?  Hope so because here we go!!! 

    My appointment was set for Monday October 6th for my Activation of the AUS.  We traveled down to Dallas on Sunday afternoon because I already had plans to meet Gene214 and Jetguy on Monday morning before my appointment. Nothing is too exciting about the drive from Norman Oklahoma to Dallas Texas.  I was making the trip with my Mother because she likes to get out once in a while.  My wife has her busy time at work this time of year and she wanted to save her time off for later.  Anyway, we arrived at the Hotel to check in.  I just happened to be wearing an “OU” shirt.  One of the ladies at the front desk said “You’re about a week early aren’t you”?  Referring to the “Red River Rivalry” game between OU and Texas the following Saturday.  I said, Unfortunately No, I’m here for a Doctors appointment across the street!  She proceeded to check us and made a comment to my mother that sounded to assume that we were a “couple”!  I guess these days you never know! 

    After getting settled in the room we decided to go to dinner.  We found a place we wanted to eat on the GPS and took off.  As we arrived back at the hotel the same lady at the desk greeted us as we were walking through the lobby.  My mother had to mention that she “had to go feed her Son”.  I know she did this so the lady would know out situation.  I told her after we rounded the corner she should have just let her assume what she wanted.  It would have made good conversation for her later on!  Mom settled in for the evening.  I went down to the Managers Reception to get a drink and make some phone calls.  Of course I had to check out the Business Center and jump on Healingwell for a little bit.

    The next morning I went down for breakfast and read the newspaper.  I while later Gene214 called and said he was near the hotel.  I told him I was there in the lobby by the fountain.  A few minutes later I saw him coming through the lobby.  We were just visiting and sharing our AUS experience when Jetguy came in.  We sat for about an hour having a nice visit but soon each of them had to leave.  I also had to get ready for my appointment.

    Having to check out of the hotel about an hour before my appointment we decided to just go to Dr. Morey’s office and wait there.  I checked in and we just sat and read some magazines until I was called.

    After checking vitals and giving a urine sample, as usual, I was lead to an exam room.  I waited there a few minutes until the Doctor came in.  As my luck goes he had a young, attractive, female Doctor with him training.  We talked about the trip down, the up coming OU vs. TX ball game.  The lady Doctor was actually alum of UT!  The Dr. Morey said, “Let’s get this thing started” and asked me get up on the exam table.  I pulled my shorts and underwear down and raised my shirt up a little to get it out of the way.  Dr. Morey began to show the young doctor the valve and buttons in the scrotum.  As he would check them out he would let her feel them.  I assume this was her first time to see an AUS installed.  The he said, “This may pinch a little” as he began to activate the device.  To do this he had to press the fluid pad the press the activation button.  It did pinch a little because the valve buttons sit under the skin in the scrotum.  At this time he also noticed and I also mentioned the scrotal incision has had a small separation at the surface.  He said the wetness probably slowed down the healing.  He then put a steri-strip on the site.  He said just leave that on until it wears off and it should heal up.

    I was then asked to stand at the end of the exam table and give some good coughs.  As I coughed they looked for leaks and YIPEE!!!!.....   There were no drips or squirts.  Dr. Morey then said to go to the toilet and sit down and try to work the device by releasing the pressure to see if I can urinate any, then let it close back for about 30 seconds.  Then do some cough test to see if I leak any.  He said do the a few times and he would see me in the exam room when I was comfortable with using the device.

    Boy, this thing is going to take some time to get used too.  It takes one hand to hold the valve in place and the other hand to press the release pad.  Well, I finally was able to hold it and press it and…ooops….I wet all over my hand!  I let it close off and repeated the cycle a few times….without hitting my hand. I also put on a new pad while I was in there.  I was just not as brave as Gene214 was and not going to leave the office without a pad! Feeling good about using the device I went back to the exam room.

    Dr. Morey came back soon.  We talked about how it was working.  He said if I did not have any problems or any big changes in increasing leaking, he would not need to see me again.  So with that we were out of there.

    We stopped for lunch and I had a couple of glasses of iced tea.  I had still not felt any wetness or dripping!  We got back on the road, made a shopping stop and still no dripping.  We stopped for gas and I got a 32oz soft drink.  Still no dripping!  But this stop was my first “public” experience using the AUS!  Everything went well.  No major malfunctions and I did not have to “palm a pad” coming out of the stall.  The pad I put on at the Doctors office looked completely dry!

    After getting home and unpacking the wife and I went to dinner.  Still dry!  I had more iced tea and I’m still dry.  The rest of the evening sitting around the house and getting my stuff ready for work I’m still dry!  I go to bed and wake up in the morning still dry!

    I went to work today.  A usual day on my feet all day and I was dry all day.

    So, in closing I would urge any of you guys out there that are still leaking after 9 to 12 months and your doctor suggest looking into other options if you want too.  I would highly recommend the AUS to help give you some quality of life back.  Of all people I know that you want to try everything you can before giving in to the “plumbing”.  I do not regret any treatments I have tried prior to the AUS because they were each a step toward where I am today.  I just encourage anyone suffering what myself; Gene, Berb, and those other “leakers” out there that I can not recall at this time have suffered through to give some serious thought to finding an experienced Doctor and try the AUS.

    I wish all of you well and if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me.  My e-mail address in on my profile.

    Thank You all for the support you have given me.

 

    KW

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biker90
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1465
Posted 10/7/2008 6:23 PM (GMT -8)
Congrats KW!!!!!

Man, you deserve dryness after all you have endured. Good for you for you persistence and attitude through all this.

Jim
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Magaboo
Veteran Member
Joined : Oct 2006
Posts : 1215
Posted 10/7/2008 7:30 PM (GMT -8)
Hi KW,

 

You maybe dry, but my eyes were getting kind of wet :-). Congratulations on the successful solving of your problem!

May you have many dry years ahead of you.

 

Magaboo

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Berb
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 93
Posted 10/7/2008 7:30 PM (GMT -8)
Great news KW. Your experience appears to be the best of any of us - bladder retaining lots of fluid, no premature urges, and no mention of after dribbles... very pleasing result.

Berb
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Gene214
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 422
Posted 10/8/2008 4:34 AM (GMT -8)

Kelly,

'told you so!  (Just kidding).  Congratulations!

Gene214

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divo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 637
Posted 10/9/2008 4:12 AM (GMT -8)
WOW KW!!! That was just a really great post. I cant wait until Pete gets out of bed (and changes his diaper and showers), and then Ill read him your post....I am so very happy for you. To be dry after being in wet diapers for so long will be fantastic! I know you are over the moon after this great operation. What a wonderful device. !! The person who invented it is a genius. Pete will have his activation on Oct 28. I hope he has the same good experience as you , Gene and Berb. I think the only difference is that Pete had the external radiation before he had the salvage surgery. He has lots of scar tissue that caused him so much trouble. I only hope and pray that this device works for him. He has probably had thousands of pads and diapers also over the past two years....
Thanks so much sharing all your story!! It helps to read others...Everyone here is so caring and helpful....Diane
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Gene214
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 422
Posted 10/9/2008 5:43 PM (GMT -8)

Divo,

KW, Jetguy and I were visiting last Monday when I had a thought (surprise!).  I do not believe that I have ever heard of anyone who had the AUS who ended up being disappointed in it.  Granted, I have only had contact with those here on HW and Pete does have some extras... I guess.  I also guess his urethra is intact or the surgeon could not have installed the device around it.  So, from my "layman" point of view, of course his will work well, just like the rest of us.  Please keep us informed and keep Pete encouraged. The AUS is a wonderful device for guys like us.

Gene214 

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divo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 637
Posted 10/10/2008 4:22 AM (GMT -8)
Gene, thanks for the vote of confidence !! I will definitely keep you informed. This site has been so helpful. I hope to God thisAUS works for Pete. If it doesnt, Im afraid of what he will do. He is in agonizing pain with his hip....bone against bone...walks with difficulty with a cane. It seems to be getting worse, and with having to change the diapers and pads constantly he is in pure hell. This has been going on for two years since the salvage surgery...The doctors wont operate on the hip until he got the AUS going...and then it will be difficult during the hip surgery time, (in Dec), because they will have to deactivate the AUS again, while he is in surgery and then after for awhile. We have to be sure that the doctors can put a catheter in while the AUS is there....Dr Sandhu makes all his patients with an AUS wear a bracelet, in case of emergency. If someone tries to put a catheter in without deactivating the AUS, it will damage it, he said. So, you see, we have a lot on the plate right now.... Thanks so much...Diane
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kw
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 883
Posted 10/19/2008 6:15 PM (GMT -8)
    95% Dry!!!!

 

    Hey Everyone,  I am two weeks post activation of my AUS.  Things seem to be getting better!  I have still been using a light womens panty liner all the time when out of the house and at work.  Normally I can not see much spotting at all.  Around the house I have been going without a pad and have had no noticable leaking at all.  I actually went without a pad at work today since it was Sunday and there were just a few people there.  I figured if I did leak it would be better with a mostly empty building.  I only had some minor spotting in my briefs.  I have played golf twice and wore a regular men's pad.  Both times it was about 1/2 full when we finished.  Before the AUS I was soaking a pad every 4 holes.  Overall I am very pleased with the AUS and would recomend it to anyone that suffers the long term incontinance that some of us have.

    Thanks for all the Support!

    KW

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BillyMac
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2008
Posts : 1858
Posted 10/19/2008 7:18 PM (GMT -8)
Now that's great news, particularly the part about the golf course. Now you can concentrate on your game and posting great scores.
Bill
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divo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 637
Posted 10/20/2008 4:44 AM (GMT -8)
Great positive news KW...for all of us!! Thanks for the update! Di
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Gene214
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 422
Posted 10/20/2008 8:46 AM (GMT -8)

Congrats KW!

Saw our surgeon today for my 2 month post activation appointment.  I told him you were beside yourself with satisfaction.  Guess if you're not that overjoyed, you'll have to clarify it with him yourself.  Anyway, when I told him, he had this very satisfied look on his face...kinda like "I'm glad I am being used to help guys like you and KW!"  Although I've given doctors a bad wrap sometimes, some of them are very diligent in trying to do their best.  I think he's one of them.

Gene214

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kw
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 883
Posted 11/12/2008 7:40 PM (GMT -8)
    One Month Post Activation Update!!!!

    I know I am a few days late on this but close enough!!!!  Anyway, I am one month post activation and things are going very good.  Although I am not 100% dry I would say I am 95% most of the time.  It sure beats 6-8 FULL pads a day.  I am still using a light womens panty liner to catch any unexpected drips and dribbles.  Some of my dribbles may be because I really do not wait the full 30 seconds to a minute for the AUS to fully close after emptying.  I have found when I play golf I need to wear a regular mens pad.  But agian, it is only half full after 18 holes.  I was using a full pad every 4 or 5 holes.  I have yet to master the art of working the "plumbing" at a stand up urinal.  I still use a "sit down booth" when I can.  As far as knowing it is there.  I rarely ever have any sensation that there is anything new down there.  Every once in a while I will get a pinch or a twinge that something is rubbin on something.

    Overall I am very pleased with the AUS and would highly recomend it to anyone that has fought moderate or heavy leaking for more that 9 - 12 months.  I would also highly recomend my Doctor.  He seems to be one of the rising stars in the Southwest area for the AUS.

    It may be a while before I post back here on "My Journey" but I will still be a regular poster on HW.  I am normally in the chat area most evenings around 9:00 p.m. cst.  Holler at me if ya want too.

    If anyone has any questions feel free to contact me at the e-mail listed on my HW profile.  I will give you my cell phone number then.

    Thank You ALL for all your kind words and Support.

    KW

 

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Gene214
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 422
Posted 11/13/2008 2:08 PM (GMT -8)

Way to go, KW!  Us former soakers know how to appreciate your post.  For what it's worth, I've not mastered that urinal thing either.  I can manage somewhat by unzipping, reaching through the fly, lowering the elastic waistband, and flopping it out over the waistband and through the fly, but it's still rather awkward.

The last time I was in Dr. Morey's office, Nurse Kevin was making an appointment for someone way up in Washington state, so I guess that speaks well for our urologist/surgeon, right?  So I join you in your recommendation. 

Gene214 

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Berb
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 93
Posted 11/14/2008 12:32 PM (GMT -8)

Good for you KW.

I'm back to using the urinals now.  Here's my technique:

I undo my belt and lower my jeans about 4 inches, holding them up by spreading my legs apart in the normal stance.  After lots of experimentation, I now wear cotton stretch underpants with no fly and legs about 2 inches long. I lift up the right hand leg of the underpants and take the whole package out (the lot), stablise the pump with my left hand and squeeze the pump once with my right (I find one squeeze is all I need).  I do a brief keegal while all this is happening to give me control on when to release the stream.  When I have finished, I tense my abdomen muscles briefly as sometimes this forces out a small quantity more.

After I have finished, I no longer do the shake as it seems to spray urine down my leg - shaking used to be only a couple of drops, but shaking now is a lot more hazzardous I've found.  I just put things away by pulling the stretch leg of the underpants back into position, ensuring contact with the light panty liner to catches any drips.  The stretch underpants holds things well in place.  

I put on a fresh liner in the morning and change it mid-afternoon - usually doesn't need it but sometimes I get caught if I don't change then.  I put on a fresh one for night which is usually hardly used. Most of my leakage occurs as a consequence of my lack of waiting for the valve to close, but I prefer to get going rather than stand at the urinal for a minute after the job's done.  I do lose a small squirt or two if I put off going to the toilet for too long.  I don't seem to lose much at all with running or other strenuous activity.

As for Gene and KW, I remail happy with my AUS.

Regards

Berb

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divo
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 637
Posted 11/14/2008 5:14 PM (GMT -8)
You guys are great! Thanks for the posts....But, sorry to say, Pete has not had such good success. Still soaking 3+ pads a day, and getting up at night three to four times. I really think it was because he had the radiation damage before, and the cuff wasn't put on strong enough..., but we will see what Dr. Sandhu says in a few weeks...I am so happy for all of you guys,....I KNOW how hard it is to be wet all the time...D
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Gene214
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 422
Posted 11/20/2008 8:03 AM (GMT -8)

Divo... so sorry to hear about Pete's continuing problems.  He's got to be a trooper hanging in there the way he does.  Keep us posted as to what the doctor says and what he will do about Pete's problem.

Gene214

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Berb
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 93
Posted 11/20/2008 12:38 PM (GMT -8)
Hi Divo,

Like Gene, sorry to hear that the AUS is not working as well as it was. Hopefully your surgeon will be able to help.

Regards, Berb
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