Made it to the other side

Jim, so glad to have you back on the other side now, the recovery side. Yeah, there's nothing good to be said about a catheter, I know that all too well. If your surgeon went wide, it was for a reason, be good to read your pathology report when you do get it. Right now, get plenty of rest, don't be afraid to use pain meds if you need them, and of course, lots of stool softeners. I hope you got someone taking good care of you.

David in SC

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Age 56, 56 at DX, PSA 7/7 5.8, 7/8 12.3,9/8 14.5

Jim,
I'm glad you are on our side now. The catheter is a pain. I had a lot of trouble every time I sat on the toilet. It kept pulling at my penis. I had to buy a seat to put on top of the toilet to make it higher. You will feel so much better once they take it out. Hang in there.

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Age: 67
Retired in 2001 and living in Austin TX.
PSA 3.5 free PSA 11%
Dx 12/30/08
2 cores out of 12 were positive Gleason (4+4) and (4+5)
Negative CT scan and bone scan done on 1/16
Robotic surgery performed on Feb 9th
Surgeon: Dr. Randy Fagin, Austin TX.
Post op Pathology report:
Prostate weighed 57 grams
size:5.2 x 5.0 x 4.9 cm
10-20% involved
Bilateral
Gleason 4+4
both nerve bundles removed,
pT3a Nx Mx
Negative margins
Lymph nodes: not dissected
seminal vesicles clean

Hey Jim,
Good to see you made it back.
Ed C brought up an excellent point. That first time sitting on the regular 15" high toilet seat is NO fun after surgery.
By all means get either a seat extender or the absolute best is the actual high toilet seat that fits over the existing toilet (with its own 4 legs and the extra railings to hold on to etc).
I only did the regular seat ONCE and was soooo glad to get the high seat in for all the rest of the times.
Also on the same subject .. first BM could take a while -- passing gas for days is not uncommon (and is a good sign that better things are on the way). Softeners and lots of fruits and veggies and all that.
Yep Hang in there.

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Age 58, 192lbs, 6'4", 57 at DX, PSA Aug2008 7 4 ... June2007 4.7 (BPH + LUTS)
Biopsy Nov2008 1 of 12 cores 5%, Gleason 3+3 - Sona showed 140+ cc (110 grams post op) prostate size.
open RP surgery 02/03/09, Nerve sparing both sides, 1 day in hospital, Day 4 first BM,
Pathology Report - All margins clear - No Invasive spread - no change in Gleason score.
2/18/09 Cath out, passed a STONE within hours. To be analyzed by doc.
Using pump (encore) daily since catheter out -- Viagra and Levitra samples now and then (no effect).
03/06/09 Started Levitra 20mg rehabbing -> 3/23 no real effect yet.
03/20/09 First post-PSA blood drawn -> 04/01 will be meeting w/PA.

Congratulations Jim- we all know how you struggled with your decision-hopefully you willl have a good report.

Hi Jim,
Congratulations on getting through the surgery fine! The first few days after the surgery were the worst for me.....after awhile you kind of get used to what you have to do to move around, etc. All I can say about the cath is: endure! : ) The day I got it out I felt about 500% better right away.
Good luck with your recovery and be sure to report back!
Mark

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Age 52
PSA 3.1 fPSA 26% Dx: 11-07-08
1 of 12 cores with 5% adenocarcinoma
11 of 12 cores clear Gleason grade 3+3=6
Robotic laproscopic surgery 2-4-09
Dr. Garret Matsunaga, Torrance Memorial Hosp.
Free hernia repair! 2 day stay.
Pathology: pT2c NXMX
upgraded to 3+4=7 and <2% tertiary 5
negative margins
negative extraprostatic extension
negative seminal vesicle invasion

Congratulations Jim!

Just got a new tip last week from a friend who has a catheter in: he had bad bladder spasms, but found that a heating pad in the lap area was a lifesaver.

DJ

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Diagnosis at age 53. PSA 2007 about 2; PSA 2008 4.3
Biopsy September 2008: 6 of 12 cores positive; Gleason 4+3 = 7
CT and Bone scan negative
Da Vinci surgery at City of Hope December 8, 2008
Radical prostatectomy and lymph node dissection
Catheter out on 7th day, replaced on 8th day, out again 14th day following negative cystogram
Pathology: pT2c; lymph nodes negative; margins involved; 41 grams, 8% involved by tumor; same Gleason 4+3=7
PSA 1/22/08 non-detectable! 8-)

there you are my brother, i agree the cath is moer a pain in th ass than the penis , youll be fine im just thankful YOUR cancer free.........dirt

Hang in there, Jim,
Get on with the healing. The catheter is a distant memory for me and it will be for you too. All the well wishes I can muster are headed your way...

Tony

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Age 46 (44 when Dx)

Welcome to the other side Jim,

Hope your healing will come quickly. It has been 6 months now and it seems like so long ago. Well it seems like so long until I read how guys just coming out of surgery feel then it all comes rushing back.

Take it easy for a few days. There is plenty of time to get back in the game. Wishing you a peaceful and comfortable recovery.

Tim

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Age at Dx:48, currently 49

Congratulations Jim. Glad you made it to the other side. You nearly always heal faster at home. Get some well deserved rest my friend. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

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Age at DX 57

Greetings, Jim.  Congratulations and let the healing begin.  The catheter is a royal pain but a necessary one.  It is for your own good even if we do detest every minute of it.  When it comes out you'll have a new lease on life.  Keep us posted.  David

Congratulations, Jim.

The other side is a good place to be.  It sure takes a load off the mind. Remember to keep walking, take the stool softeners and pain meds as needed.  The catheter bites but soon is a distant memory.  A couple of years ago I had to replace our toilet and opted for the handicap toilet figuring it would be the last one I'd ever need, and since I wasn't getting any younger, thought it would be helpful in my "older" years.  How fortuitous.  It really helped a lot...so get the seat apparatus that raises you up a couple of inches.  You'll be more comfortable.  Anytime I have to use a regular toilet I feel like I'm going to fall on my rear.

On with the healing,

Bob

You are on the down hill side now and that is good. My catheter leaked also - I suppose that is normal. I would keep some neosporin on Willie's tip - that will help avoid soreness there. I am sure the area is a wreck (Willie is a turtle and the boys are blue) - all of that is normal and will re-adjust in time. Just take it easy and things will improve daily. Blessings.

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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 <.01 10/30/2008