Life on the other side of surgery

Hi wicket,

I thought I'd move us off the Erections post and over here. To answer you question, Tom is doing pretty good...I think. We went to the follow up today, and had his staples removed. Can't say he really enjoyed that. He also has what they think might be phlebitis in the arm that had the blood transfusion IV. Right now the treatment for that is aspirin and a hot compress, but if he starts to have trouble breathing or has heart attach symptoms we are to rush to the E.R. like a bat out of hell (great!). In all seriousness, they don't think that it will be a major issue, but something to keep an eye on. It is a clot in his upper arm on the underside. The area is a little swollen, and is very sore to him. It has been getting worse over the last couple of days. Prior to today, we were joking that he had probably been dropped in the O.R. before they woke him up.

 When we were packing for the hospital, I packed flannel boxers, baggy PJ pants, and a Big T-shirt. With the IVs in, the only thing that came in handy was the boxers while he was up and walking. The morning he went home I went to walmart on my way to the hospital, and picked up a robe, 3XL

T-shirts, and some cotton shorts that were draw string & elastic waisted (they are a little longer then the boxers). Never in a million years did I think he would consent to a giant night gown like shirt and robe. But that was his out-fit of choice to come home in and to wear for the first two days. Now, he likes the longer shorts because they cover up his leg bag. 

Tom is a mechanic kind of guy, and having to be "sick" and lounging around the house is not his thing. Luckily he is adjusting to the catheter and realizes the importance of it's purpose. Right now he says the boredom and discomfort of recovery is worse the the surgery. If that's his worse complaint, then I'd say he's doing good.

I'm sure you and Curtis will do great. Just keep in mind the tips you come across that will make him more comfortable. They are a life saver. I'm so glad I have this group to reference to. It will all be over before you know it.

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Kate

My Husband is 52 yrs old

* Diagnosed 7/13/06 with 11.4 PSA, Gleason 7,T2b and Negative Bone and CT scan.

 

* Had Open Radical Prostatectomy on 9/18/06

Gleason was reduced to 6, had negative nodes and negative margins. 75% of the prostate was affected.

 

Hi Ellen,

Just caught the question of a blood transfusion. Because Curtis is having the DaVinci procedure there will be little if any chance he will need a transfusion. That is why your doctor never mentioned stocking piling a couple of pints of Curtis' own blood. It is likely he will not lose more than a few hundred mls. (sorry to sound so goulish) So I used that as an excuse to have a big fat grilled steak for the protein of coarse. (grilled salmon is good also)

Glen

I know it's hard not to be scared, but just try to busy yourself getting all your ducks in a row. You have a huge support team surrounding you both.

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Kate

My Husband is 52 yrs old

* Diagnosed 7/13/06 with 11.4 PSA, Gleason 7,T2b and Negative Bone and CT scan.

 

* Had Open Radical Prostatectomy on 9/18/06

Gleason was reduced to 6, had negative nodes and negative margins. 75% of the prostate was affected.

 

It's hard to imagine that at some point in the near future the two of you will be bored out of your mind, but it's coming. If you like to watch TV and movies, then you choices are many, but if not it definitely takes come creativity to battle the first week. Tom doesn't really get into movies or reading books, so he was a tough patient. (I like to read, so I was covered). I bought an arsenal of magazines about things he was interested in (boating, cars, building things and home improvement). I also pick up one of those puzzles that look like twisted nails that you have to figure out how to separate (Found a box with 5 different puzzles). Those were fun to play with and easy to toss in my purse. They'll probably come in handy with the kids on long car rides later. It's not so bad now that is moving around more and interested in leaving the house. I think we might even go to a matinee this week. That would make our third movie in five years.

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Kate

My Husband is 52 yrs old

* Diagnosed 7/13/06 with 11.4 PSA, Gleason 7,T2b and Negative Bone and CT scan.

 

* Had Open Radical Prostatectomy on 9/18/06

Gleason was reduced to 6, had negative nodes and negative margins. 75% of the prostate was affected.

 

Ellen,

Jeff had no problem wearing the hospital gown because it wrapped around him and didn't show off his butt. I had brought his slippers but he really liked the hospital socks (and still wears them now that it's getting cooler here). on the trip home and the week before the catheter was removed, he wore very loose soft cotton sports shorts and a T-shirt. he is a Type A person but had no problem reading, napping, walking. to be honest, the time flew by. he went back to work full-time the next week and hasn't slowed down since. kat

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Husband Jeff 56 years old
diagnosed July 27, 1006
PSA 6.5
2 positive areas in biopsy, Gleason 3+3=6
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy August 30, 2006

Kate and Tom

Now that it's been 10 days post surgery, how are things going? I hope it's better every day. Jeff is 4 weeks post op and said that he's almost feeling like he did before surgery. he doesn't get as tired. this weekend he's going back on Cialis and follow the doctor's orders - get that thing moving! kat

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Husband Jeff 56 years old
diagnosed July 27, 1006
PSA 6.5
2 positive areas in biopsy, Gleason 3+3=6
Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy August 30, 2006

Kate and Kat,

I'm so glad to hear that your husbands are on the mend so well since we're going in for Curtis' surgery Tuesday.  I'm really anxious about it, but all he wants is to get rid of the prostate.  Since having this problem he's finding so many men he knows have had it for one reason or another...He said "Gee am I the only one around here still with a prostate?"  LOL

Anyway your updates about your husbands recovery is a God send to me...

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Ellen

 

Curtis, 63,  Diagnosed Aug 21, 2006

T1C

Gleason 3+3=6, 3+4=7

PSA 4.10

 

Bone Scan Negative!!

DiVinci surgery scheduled for October 10th

DiVinci rescheduled for October 3rd