Open main menu ☰
HealingWell
Search Close Search
Health Conditions
Allergies Alzheimer's Disease Anxiety & Panic Disorders Arthritis Breast Cancer Chronic Illness Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes
Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Migraine Headache Multiple Sclerosis Prostate Cancer Ulcerative Colitis

View Conditions A to Z »
Support Forums
Anxiety & Panic Disorders Bipolar Disorder Breast Cancer Chronic Pain Crohn's Disease Depression Diabetes Fibromyalgia GERD & Acid Reflux
Hepatitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lupus Lyme Disease Multiple Sclerosis Ostomies Prostate Cancer Rheumatoid Arthritis Ulcerative Colitis

View Forums A to Z »
Log In
Join Us
Close main menu ×
  • Home
  • Health Conditions
    • All Conditions
    • Allergies
    • Alzheimer's Disease
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Arthritis
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Illness
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Migraine Headache
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Support Forums
    • All Forums
    • Anxiety & Panic Disorders
    • Bipolar Disorder
    • Breast Cancer
    • Chronic Pain
    • Crohn's Disease
    • Depression
    • Diabetes
    • Fibromyalgia
    • GERD & Acid Reflux
    • Hepatitis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Lupus
    • Lyme Disease
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Ostomies
    • Prostate Cancer
    • Rheumatoid Arthritis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
  • Log In
  • Join Us
Join Us
☰
Forum Home| Forum Rules| Moderators| Active Topics| Help| Log In

Just got home from the hospital from Surgery

Support Forums
>
Prostate Cancer
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
profile picture
Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 11/18/2008 12:35 PM (GMT -8)
Hello one and all, just now got home from the hospital.  Was in for 4 days and nights, about what dr. thought.  I will write more later when I am coherent, still a bit in the clouds.  The surgery took 3 1/2 hours, not counting 2 for prep and 2 for recovery.  Surgeon said it was a very difficult one, that I had a very narrow and deep pelvic bed, he couldn't remove all the lymph nodes he wanted because he couldn't get to them without risking paralyzing my legs.  The bad news, he was unable, to spare either set of nerves, so at age 56 that really disturbs me.  I go see him on Monday November 24th to have stiches and staples removed, and he said he should have the full post surgery pathology work to go over with me.  The earliest he said he can remove the cathedar bag is December 15, a lot longer then the 2 weeks he first said.  All for now, can hardly type or concentrate.   Tell you more later.  Peace be with you.

David in SC

profile picture
LV-TX
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 966
Posted 11/18/2008 12:46 PM (GMT -8)
Glad your home David. It's the first step in many more to come. Get your rest and keep positive whatever you do. We all here are thinking of you and yours. Here's hoping that the pathology will be a bright spot and that the cancer was contained and removed.

Wishing you well
profile picture
RBinCountry
Regular Member
Joined : Apr 2008
Posts : 270
Posted 11/18/2008 12:54 PM (GMT -8)

Purgatory,

It is terrific to be on the back side of the surgery.  We'll keep our fingers crossed for the best possible pathology report.

As far as the nerve sparing - I too, out of the necessity of my biopsy, received a wider cut than the nerve sparing.  The main objective is to rid yourself of the monster.  There is still hope for ED recovery and I know right now it doesn't sound very pleasant but there is also injections (which really aren't that bad).  So hang in there!  Wishing you a smooth recovery.

RB
Age 61 (now 62)
Original data - pre-operation
PSA: 5.1
T1C clinical diagnosis, Needle biopsy - 10 cores, Gleason 7 = 3+4 in 1 core (40%), 7 cores Gleason 6 = 3+3 ranging from 5% to 12%
All scans negative
Lupron administered 4/9/2008 for 4 months (with idea I would undergo external beam radiation followed by seed implants - then I changed my mind).
Robotic DiVinci surgery - Dr. Fagin (Austin) May 19th
Post operative - pathology
pT2c NX MX
Gleason 3+4
Margins - negative
Extraprostatic extension - negative
seminal vesicle invasion - uninvolved
1st Post PSA <.04
2nd Post PSA <.1 10/30/2008

profile picture
Tim G
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 3060
Posted 11/18/2008 1:45 PM (GMT -8)

Purgatory said...
Hello one and all, just now got home from the hospital.  Was in for 4 days and nights, about what dr. thought.  I will write more later when I am coherent, still a bit in the clouds.  The surgery took 3 1/2 hours, not counting 2 for prep and 2 for recovery.  Surgeon said it was a very difficult one, that I had a very narrow and deep pelvic bed, he couldn't remove all the lymph nodes he wanted because he couldn't get to them without risking paralyzing my legs.  The bad news, he was unable, to spare either set of nerves, so at age 56 that really disturbs me.  I go see him on Monday November 24th to have stiches and staples removed, and he said he should have the full post surgery pathology work to go over with me.  The earliest he said he can remove the cathedar bag is December 15, a lot longer then the 2 weeks he first said.  All for now, can hardly type or concentrate.   Tell you more later.  Peace be with you.

David in SC

David-It's great to hear from you, that you made it thru the surgery and are now home to begin recuperation.  All the best on your continued good progress toward healing. 

Just curious, why so long with the catheter?  It's usually in 10 days to two weeks.

Take care and be well...Tim

profile picture
Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 11/18/2008 2:46 PM (GMT -8)

Thank you one and all, just up from a good lay down nap.  I have no ill feelings about losing both nerve bundles, I knew that risk up front, and my dr and I discussed it many times, he said in reality they were both even visibly in bad shape  His goal, was to remove the cancer.  For pain at home, I am on Loratab (not sure if spelled correct.).  every 40 hours, I feel like that edition of curious george where he got into the "ether" at the hospital    In the hospital they had me on dilaudid injected by needle, much more powerful, but overkill for home.  That kept me in an utter state of bliss.  Visitors, gee, almost too many for too long, though I am thankful for them all.  Thbe hospital has open  visitating, so there are no rules for when, where, or how.

I give my heart felt thanks to my surgeons, and all the staff, from the OR nurses, to the housekeeping staff and CNAs and regular nurse, they made me feel like family, and a few I singled out to managment for way above the call of duty in particular.  St Francis is no doubt the best hospital in SC, but I knew this before going there  Special thanks to Dr Ronald Smith, my urologist and primary surgeon, for a first class job.

Bye for now,

David in SC

profile picture
Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 11/18/2008 2:53 PM (GMT -8)
Tim,

On the cathether time, Dr Smith said he had a very difficult time attaching the uretha to the bladder, a lot of scarring and damge, he wants it to heal as long as possible in order to reduce the rist of perm or long term incontinence.

Also, for those fans of robotic over open, the dr said this operation would have had to been aborted if it had been robotic, because of all the unseen issues and problems. He's not against robotics, but he does know the value of seeing it all for himself and having the human tactile element to the operation.
profile picture
Lungman
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2008
Posts : 276
Posted 11/18/2008 4:27 PM (GMT -8)
Welcome Home Purgatory, I am glad your surgery is in the past and you can get on with getting well. Sorry to hear your surgery was a bit more involved than you had hoped for, but at least the prostate and cancer are gone. I sincerely hope your post op pathology is good news, the time will pass with the catheter, I just put on loose gym pants over the leg bag and got along pretty well. Even though your MD wasn't able to spare the nerve bundles, there is still hope for the future, just will require a little adjustment, but it is worth it. After 4 or 5 months, I was quite despondent with my ED, but along came injections. Time will take care of things for you, as it will all of us. My perspective and outlook on life in general has undergone a needed realignment, and that has taken the pressure off, because the important things are the ones that I don't have to medicate or inject for, and when we do, it seems even more special. Don't rush your recovery, take it easy and get well. Thanks for the update, and remember, we are all here for the same reason, don't be shy.

Randy
profile picture
Doting Daughter
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 1064
Posted 11/18/2008 5:17 PM (GMT -8)
Welcome home and best wishes for a speedy recovery!!
profile picture
Ziggy9
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2008
Posts : 989
Posted 11/18/2008 5:34 PM (GMT -8)
You've gone through a rough few days. I'm sorry to hear about the nerves but as you said it's a risk that comes with the surgery. You can just hope for the best and live with whatever happens dealing with this monster afterward. Your doctor had the right priorities
profile picture
Ralph Alfalfa
Regular Member
Joined : Nov 2008
Posts : 469
Posted 11/18/2008 5:50 PM (GMT -8)

Hang tough, Dave.  The worst is behind you.  Good luck.

Ralph

profile picture
Tony Crispino
Veteran Member
Joined : Dec 2006
Posts : 8160
Posted 11/18/2008 6:10 PM (GMT -8)

Hi David,

Now you get to healing well....pardon the pun.  We're glad to have you back and we're hoping all gets to working right.  Stay well and stay close.  Lots of experienced members to draw from.

Tony

profile picture
mvesr
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 823
Posted 11/18/2008 6:57 PM (GMT -8)
H Dave

Sorry the surgery did not go as you expected.  We can hope your pathology will be good.  Get some rest and don't overdo it.  Next time you come toward Asheville let me know and we can get some coffee.  Take care of yourself.

Mika

profile picture
biker90
Veteran Member
Joined : Nov 2006
Posts : 1465
Posted 11/18/2008 9:08 PM (GMT -8)
Hey David,

Welcome to the "other side" and congratulations on getting on with your treatment plan. Now you have all the follow on treatments available in case thay are needed so no matter what you are covered. We need to keep all possible options open in this fight...

Jim
profile picture
Frank1205
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2008
Posts : 311
Posted 11/19/2008 8:25 AM (GMT -8)

Hi David,

Best wishes in your recovery period.  Take it easy.  Easy on the visits and get lots of rest. 

All the best,

Frank

profile picture
Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 11/19/2008 9:20 AM (GMT -8)
Thanks one and all for the replies and comments Feel right at home again, getting plenty of rest and lots of tlc one on one nursing care. Now I am in the healing zone, the next natural step in this process, as far as the next step, not going to worry about that till the time comes

David in SC
profile picture
M. Kat
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2006
Posts : 715
Posted 11/19/2008 10:08 AM (GMT -8)
David - that's a great attitude to have! take it a step at a time. rest and heal, but also stay slightly active, as much as you feel you can handle. take care....kat
profile picture
Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 11/19/2008 1:05 PM (GMT -8)
Thanks again for the support Actually feel worse today then yesterday when I came home from Hospital I guess my recovery will be a series of ups and downs. Been in bed more today, still can't go potty after 5 days, and pulled my stiches (staples) when I tried to lift my laptop Found out there are 27 staples just on the outside alone, those will be fun coming out.

David in sC
profile picture
James C.
Veteran Member
Joined : Aug 2007
Posts : 4464
Posted 11/19/2008 2:04 PM (GMT -8)
As you heal, the staples will loosen and detach, making removal much easier. I had my ups and downs days for a week or so, but you will equalize soon. I also got right back of my daily does of psyllium seed husks for fiber intake, which really helped me get back to regular, in combination with a stoll softner, it did the trick for me. Should kkeep the tar balls problem from developing. something to consider.
profile picture
nemo57
Regular Member
Joined : May 2008
Posts : 43
Posted 11/20/2008 5:35 AM (GMT -8)
Its always good to be home. Take it easy healing takes time. best wishes for a speedy recovery.
profile picture
VaFan
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2008
Posts : 203
Posted 11/20/2008 12:07 PM (GMT -8)
We are so happy for you to be home. This time was frustrating for my husband because he didn't want to sit around. But it is important to get your physical and mental rest. We hope the best for you and your family.
Kent and Cindy
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply


More On Prostate Cancer

Positive For Prostate Cancer

Positive For Prostate Cancer

7 Ways To Stay In Control And Reduce Stress While Battling Cancer

7 Ways To Stay In Control And Reduce Stress While Battling Cancer


HealingWell

About Us  |   Advertise  |   Subscribe  |   Privacy & Disclaimer
Connect With Us
Facebook Twitter Instagram Pinterest LinkedIn
© 1997-2023 HealingWell.com LLC All Rights Reserved. Our website is for informational purposes only. HealingWell.com LLC does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.