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Just home from the hospital

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Prostate Cancer
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mtsarpilot
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 137
Posted 1/27/2012 2:30 PM (GMT -8)
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.

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tatt2man
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 2845
Posted 1/27/2012 2:36 PM (GMT -8)
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
.........
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Purgatory
Elite Member
Joined : Oct 2008
Posts : 25448
Posted 1/27/2012 3:40 PM (GMT -8)
good luck as you begin your recovery, and hoping you have a sqeaky clean pathology report.

david
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Desertrat1
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 338
Posted 1/27/2012 4:01 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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maldugs
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2007
Posts : 813
Posted 1/27/2012 4:08 PM (GMT -8)
Wishing you well in your recovery, the catheter is a nuisance, but hopefully they will remove it soon.

Mal.
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tvwohio
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2010
Posts : 176
Posted 1/27/2012 4:27 PM (GMT -8)
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

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White Bird
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 204
Posted 1/27/2012 4:56 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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davidg
Veteran Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 4093
Posted 1/27/2012 6:33 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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Inspector 13
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2011
Posts : 181
Posted 1/27/2012 6:38 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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mtsarpilot
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2012
Posts : 137
Posted 1/27/2012 6:44 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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windycitytiger
Regular Member
Joined : May 2011
Posts : 79
Posted 1/27/2012 7:10 PM (GMT -8)
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.
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vn16
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 125
Posted 1/28/2012 9:51 AM (GMT -8)
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
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mvesr
Veteran Member
Joined : Apr 2007
Posts : 823
Posted 1/28/2012 10:07 AM (GMT -8)
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

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Wet and weary
New Member
Joined : Dec 2011
Posts : 12
Posted 1/28/2012 10:55 AM (GMT -8)
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. 
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Water Guy
Veteran Member
Joined : Jul 2011
Posts : 2409
Posted 1/28/2012 7:32 PM (GMT 0)
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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