Da Vinci in a Week

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Tamu Veteran Member Date Joined Oct 2006 Total Posts : 626	Posted 10/25/2006 8:09 AM (GMT -6)
	HWC Friends, I have replied several times on the forum but ths is my first time to submit a new topic. I was diagnosed with PCa on July 9th with a PSA of 4.3, 1 of 10 biopsy cores with 40% adenocarcioma and a Gleason of 3+3. I am 56 years old and in good health. I have never had surgery or been in a hospital for an illness. After the initial shock I began to diligently research my treatment options. I came across this forum at the time and started monitoring it among others. For the primary reason that surgery provides for the backup option of radiation I decided early on that was the direction I wanted to go in. I almost changed my mind to try the proton beam based upon some personal experiences of a couple of men that I graduated with from high school. I spent a lot of time looking for the right surgeon and was surprised to find him located only a couple of hours from my home. The latter part of July I had an appointment with him and his surgeyr schedule was so full that November 1st is the first date that was available. So, a week from today as I post this at about this time I will be an hour away from having my Da Vinci. I have thoroughly read the post from those that have been through it and picked up a lot of the recommendations. I will stay one night in the hospital then the second night at a local motel at the request of the surgeon. I am anxious and it is effecting my sleep. I am going to sleep okay but it seems that around 3 to 4 AM I am waking up thinking more about the post surgery mystery then the surgery itself. Any suggestions on how to handle that going into the procedure? I have been walking 4 to 5 miles everyday so I am getting good exercise and have lost about 5 to 10 pounds over the last two months. Finally, of all of the Internet sources for information and in particular support this HWC forum is by far the best. I will contribute my experience as I go through the surgery and recovery period. Bless you all for the good that you do! Tamu Back to Top

spinbiscuit Veteran Member Date Joined Apr 2006 Total Posts : 818	Posted 10/25/2006 8:28 AM (GMT -6)
	Hi Tamu, Sounds like you've done your homework. Getting in shape is a smart move. So have you been doing your Kegel exercises as well? Try to be rested before you have the surgery, you'll need every ounce of energy to watch football during you're recovery. Ask your GP if he/she can recomend a mild sleep aid for you if you. Good luck, you'll be just fine; the worry is much worse that the procedure, and with any luck at all you'll amaze your friends with a fantastic recovery. (no senior league touch-football for at least 2 months) Glen Back to Top

daveed Regular Member Date Joined Jul 2006 Total Posts : 172	Posted 10/25/2006 8:49 AM (GMT -6)
	Tamu I will be joining you that date. I am scheduled also the 1st at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. Doing the "Davinci Dance" Good luck Daveed Back to Top

bluebird Veteran Member Date Joined May 2006 Total Posts : 2542	Posted 10/25/2006 8:57 AM (GMT -6)
	Hi Tamu, I’m on vacation in the Outer Banks of North Carolina and just stopped by the lobby to check on my friends. I am really glad to see you! I have you marked on my calendar for surgery on the 1st along with Daveed..... From your previous postings… it looks to me like you’ve done your research and you’ve made your decision!!! I truly feel once the decision is made a whole new questioning process comes into play. We did ask our primary physician for a very mild sleep aide and our urologist had no problems with this and said he even suggest this on occasion. It really helped with allowing us to sleep. We felt sleep up to surgery day was very important. And nighttime seems to be the time the darkness sneaks in….. So ~ we got help and we’re fine right up till surgery time! Again ~ this was a personal choice and that’s what makes this forum so wonderful. We all have different opinions and “you” get to pick and choose whatever ideas you feel will help you!! When those post mystery thoughts come in at you…. Smile and just know that a lot of special people here will be thinking of you on your day and we will definitely be helping to guide you once you’re home on your recovery path. The main thing is ~ stay with us!!! The path is much easier when traveled with friends….. Your journey has already begun and you are going to be stepping on another stone in this path. That’s where we lend extra hands to you to support you on your stone you think might be wobbly or slippery. J Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers…. In New Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy 53 RRP April 3, 2006 PSA 4.6 Gleason 3+3=6 T2a Confined to Prostate June 29th PSA Less than 0.1 Non-detectable :) Back to Top

Letty Regular Member Date Joined Sep 2006 Total Posts : 80	Posted 10/25/2006 9:47 AM (GMT -6)
	Hi Tamu, It has been said many times that the waiting is the hardest part and it is. You have done everything in your power that you can to prepare for this surgery. You have read and become knowledgeable and have made educated decisions. You have worked hard to get yourself in good physical condition. You have picked a great procedure and a great doctor. Post op for us was a very restful, relaxing and peaceful quiet time. It was also a time of great reflection and thankfulness. Physically, my husband was not in very much pain. He only took pain pills for 2 or 3 days. The catheter was not a big deal and was out before we knew it. Then, its just remembering not to overdue things to early. I don't think people can help but be anxious about an upcoming surgery. My husband just tried to keep as busy as he could. However, I think there comes a time in this process when we just have to "let go" and realize and truly accept that after we've done everything we possibly can, the rest is ultimately out of our control and we just have to trust in that higher power that all will be well, AND IT WILL! Your young and healthy and your cancer was caught very early. Plus, you have all these great people on this board and many friends and family keeping you in their thoughts and prayers. Everything will be fine Tamu. Again, the waiting is the hardest part. Wishing you the very best and a full night's sleep as well! Sincerely, Letty, Husband diagnosed May 2006 at age 50. RRP performed 13 July 06. PSA 5.7, Gleason 3+4=7, Staged T2C, Cancer confined to prostate. His father diagnosed at age 62 and is currently a 13 year survivor! Back to Top

SJC Regular Member Date Joined Jul 2006 Total Posts : 113	Posted 10/25/2006 10:21 AM (GMT -6)
	Tamu: We all think about it a lot when we reach one week and counting. There are anxious moments ahead of the procedure. Most of my anxiety was for naught. You've got an experienced surgeon at Vandy Med Center. You are in good shape. You possess all of the ingredients for a successful surgery and swift recovery. Think positive....good things are in store. Back to Top

Tamu Veteran Member Date Joined Oct 2006 Total Posts : 626	Posted 10/25/2006 10:24 AM (GMT -6)
	Thanks to all for the encouragement. Yes, I have been doing the kegels. I have been following the hold 10 seconds relax 10 seconds routine. When you do them that way it is surprising how difficult it is sometimes to hold for 10 seconds but as I have done them it has gotten easier. I have been using Tylenol PM to help me sleep and they have been working up until this past week as the date has gottne closer. I will give my primary doctor a call and see if he will give me something. I will be having my Da Vinci at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. All of the rooms in the surgical area are private and they provide a made up bed for my wife. She is planning on staying with me the night of surgery. My surgeon has done over 3,000 of the open types of RP's and in the last three years has exclusively been doing the Da Vinci having done 800 plus. He trained in the Da Vinci at Memorial Sloan Kettering. If someone like him was not close to where I live I was planning on going to Henry Ford and Dr. Menom. Good luck to you Daveed! I look forward to hearing from you and to be Foleying with you at the same time. again, thanks to all. Tamu Back to Top

shepla Regular Member Date Joined Sep 2006 Total Posts : 102	Posted 10/25/2006 12:45 PM (GMT -6)
	Tamu, You are so ready we all had these thoughts, BUT you are in good shape a quick recovery, Davinci Surgery =a quick recovery, and a very experienced Surgeon. My God Man you left nothing to chance.Well maybe thats an oversimplication but not too much. I think too much sometimes,But I do not regret my open RP I had on the 12th at all.Would do it again in a heartbeat at Sloan Kettering with Dr. Eastham.I am recovering much faster than I ever thought possible. Best of luck. Let Go!!! Shepla Back to Top

dawgfan Regular Member Date Joined Aug 2006 Total Posts : 148	Posted 10/25/2006 5:18 PM (GMT -6)
	Sounds like we may not be too far apart geographically. I live in Huntsville, AL and had my daVinci performed in Birmingham last Friday. Wish I could offer a working recommendation for sleeping; however, I know our minds are racing due to information overload. Good news is that there will be plenty of time for rest post op. I haven't watched this many movies since I can remember. Best of luck! Diagnosed 8/24/06 at age 48 Gleason 6 PSA 3.32 daVinci performed 10/20/06 Back to Top

56pontiac Regular Member Date Joined Sep 2006 Total Posts : 232	Posted 10/25/2006 5:56 PM (GMT -6)
	The worst part of the whole thang is the waiting and then the stupid catheter. Sounds like you have done your homework. I know it's a bit hard but try to just relax as best you can. Casadorez, Jack Daniels, Burgerville, Steak Town, a nice long walk whatever it takes try and chill out this week. If I was having surgery in Nashville I'd have to buy a new guitar from Gruhn guitars to help me chill out, the wife still wouldn't go for that. It will really be over before you know it. You will be just fine. Mine was taken out 10/12/06 DaVinci and every day is better and better. It' great your going to hang around this site and encourage others it sure met a lot to me when I found this site. Got you and Daveed marked for the 1st and already on my prayer list. Back to Top

flippin out Regular Member Date Joined Mar 2006 Total Posts : 137	Posted 10/25/2006 9:58 PM (GMT -6)
	I'm guessing your thinking is as all of us past DaVinci experts will tell you getting there is half the tourture. I used Johnny Walker Black but after all is said and done you have done your homework the surgeon and the hospital are the concerns everthing else is in Gods hands. 5 months out and I feel like its behind me things are a lil different and My surgeon did say it will take a Year for things to feel more normal but PSA free and feeling it is the KEY 55' and counting, again! ( : Back to Top

Tamu Veteran Member Date Joined Oct 2006 Total Posts : 626	Posted 10/26/2006 9:53 AM (GMT -6)
	Dawgfan, We are neighbors as I live in Decatur. I thought about Birmingham but received a lot of recommendations from local urologist on Vanderbilt. As it has been said here many times as long as you have a surgeon that has lots of experience you should come out okay. The sleeping is the big issue now. I have done the Jack nightcap and also Tylenol PM. They get me to sleep but in 3 or 4 hours I am up thinking about the situation. Once it is over with I will probably sleep like a baby. I knew that it was going to be like this as I have had insomnia before and it took a week or two for me to get over it. My wife and I will probably hit Rosie's Cantina sometime this weekend. Tamu Back to Top

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