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Prostate Cancer
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Posted 1/27/2012 4:30 PM (GMT -6)
I was discharged from the hospital earlier today following da Vinci.  I'm really enjoying carrying this bag around (not).  So far not much catheter or bladder discomfort, but lots from the incision sites, specially when walking.  Most of the gas is out of my abdomin at least, so that feels a lot better.

What should I be expecting over the next few days until the catheter is removed?  What should I be doing proactively to avoid whatever might be coming my way?

I've read Alfred's collated posting at: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=35&m=1717641 many thanks, this awesome and had some good things to be aware of ahead of time.  Any other suggestions?

Surgeon said everything looked as he expected.  Given the extensiveness of the cancer in the biopsy, he felt he had to go a little wider and take about 30% of the nerve bundles on each side to give the best chance at clear margins.  I'll get the pathology on Tuesday morning.

Posted 1/27/2012 4:36 PM (GMT -6)
mtsarpilot -
welcome to the "other side" - here's to a steady and boring recovery.
-I 'll let the davinci guys talk to you about what to expect/what to do.
- your current path report - gleason and staging- in your signature looks good.
note: HW is a great patient-to-patient resource /support and we are not doctors nor medically trained -
-wishing you all the best,
Bronson
.........
Posted 1/27/2012 5:40 PM (GMT -6)
good luck as you begin your recovery, and hoping you have a sqeaky clean pathology report.

david
Posted 1/27/2012 6:01 PM (GMT -6)
I avoided coughing and laughing because the stiches hurt too darn much. Don't get constipated and take a stool softner to avoid straining while doing #2.. You use your ab muscles a lot coughing, laughing and pooping. I had a cough from the tube they put down my throat while under. I felt like I was ripping my stiches apart while coughing. If this happens, get a throw pillow and a large strap/belt. With the throw pillow over your abs, wrap the large strap around your waist and the pillow. Tighten it up before coughing. Other than these short bursts of pain, everything went good. I was out the next day and the stiches were less sensitive in three or four days.

Good luck and welcome aboard the club no one want to belong to.
Posted 1/27/2012 6:08 PM (GMT -6)
Wishing you well in your recovery, the catheter is a nuisance, but hopefully they will remove it soon.

Mal.
Posted 1/27/2012 6:27 PM (GMT -6)
Congratulations - you made this far.

You have had some good advise from others and keep it up.

May want to use your breathing excersizer to build up you lungs

Walk

Drink Lots of Water

Take you pain meds when needed but try not to overdue it and don't wait too long.

Enjoy the rest of your life - good job

Don't think about what was but what will be - you're different now

Tom of West Central Ohio

Posted 1/27/2012 6:56 PM (GMT -6)
Although I had other problems, I had very little abdominal pain. The half dozen incisions gave me very little pain and healed very quickly. The catheter was irritating but minor in comparison to bladder spasms. Indeed, the bladder spasms telegraphed referred pain to the end of the penis, making me think it was the catheter. Lidocaine did nothing for the pain. I mentioned the pain to the doc and he prescribed Ditropan which relieved the spasms, ending most of the penis pain.

Goes to show that every case is different.
Posted 1/27/2012 8:33 PM (GMT -6)
walk as much a spossible.

drink a lot of water.

Eat things that won't potentially cause digestive issues. Keep it boring.

They tell you not to lay down too often but I did, I was physically and emotionally a wreck and slept as much a spossible.

Use that ointment on your penis tip multiple times a day.

Allow yourself to be spoiled. You're recovering from surgery and probably in the midst of trauma.

The abdomen pain will go away pretty quickly. Every day will be significantly better.

Don't be affraid to shower but pat dry around the incisons.
Posted 1/27/2012 8:38 PM (GMT -6)
One more thing to add is follow the limits on how much weight you can lift and this also applies to pushing and pulling. Don't overstress those incisions. A lot of good advice has already been given so just take it easy, follow the advice, and you should do just fine.
Posted 1/27/2012 8:44 PM (GMT -6)
All sounds like good advice. Thanks all. The doctor has me on a soft diet, fruits, soft veggies, pudding, smoothies, etc. until the bowels start moving with ease. Stool softener as well. I'm hanging in Florida for a week so it is warm and easy to get out and walk. Today I did about a mile per their directions. Fine balance with doing to much. I'm looking forward to when I feel better. Thanks again, great thoughts.
Posted 1/27/2012 9:10 PM (GMT -6)
I made sure to get up and walk laps around the house every hour...all day. As others have said, get up, keep moving, drink lots of water, and realize that the discomfort and nuisance of the surgery/catheter will soon seem like a distant memory!

Best of luck.
Posted 1/28/2012 11:51 AM (GMT -6)
congrats, it should be all good from here on. Others have told you all the important details, I'll say you won't do much until the catheder comes out, then you are ready to fly. So take it easy, get ready for lots of walking and lots of kegels...mike
Posted 1/28/2012 12:07 PM (GMT -6)
Welcome to the other side of surgery.  Other guys have given some good advise here and I agree with it.  Take good care of yourself and get better. 

 

Mika

Posted 1/28/2012 12:55 PM (GMT -6)
You have bunches of advice and support here.  Be prepared for the mental side of the operation.  Leaking, ED and having a wet crotch for some time all wear on your mind.  Keep the faith and stop here as often as required to get a morale bootstrap. 
Posted 1/28/2012 1:32 PM (GMT -6)
welcome to the other side and a continued and uneventful recovery. One thing of advice on top of all the great advice so far is get off the prescription pain meds as soon as you can, if you haven't already.  I was able to control my pain after I got home on day 1 with Advil and with the stool softeners I had to problems with BM's and pain.  Coughing is a real problem so if you have to, hold your gut with your arms when you cough.

I was unable to comfortably sleep in my bed until the catheter came out so I slept on the couch with my back and head propped up and the bag on the floor next to me. This also allowed my wife and first week caregiver much needed sleep.

Good luck on the pathology report next week.

Terry the water guy.

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