swollen scrotum and other concerns

questions...any recommendations for swollen scrotum..and how long does that last? and

have a Jackson Pratt as well as Catheter...first what is it exactly that is being drained? and

it has not been decreasing remaining in 210 to 260 mi per day..any concerns there or is that

normal...other than that...no pain...had first bowel movement today..walking slowly 3 miles

per day...Age 54....

    PSA 5.7 - Discovered during Annual Physical with Family Practice Dr.

    Gleason 7

    Biopsy - 3 of 12 positive (up to 75%) all on left side of prostate

    RRP on Oct. 17, 2006 - Nerves on right side saved.

    All Lab's clear.  No Cancer outside prostate

    Cathiter in for 3 weeks due to complications in healing. Removed Nov. 9, 2006

    First Post op PSA on Dec. 11, 2006  Undetectable 0.00

    Office visit on Jan. 19th due to continued excessive urine leakage.

    Feb.20th Cystoscope and 2nd Post Op PSA. Another 0.00.....:)

    Dr. said everything looks fine.  Continue to work Kegeal's. Leaking appears to have improved  after Cystoscope?!?!?!  Down to 3-4 pads per day!

    March 1st  Leaking has crept back up to 6 - 8 pads a day ??????? 

    March 8th Started Detrol LA to see if it helps with the leaking?

    March 29th Collagen injection into sphincter / bladder neck area to control excessive leaking.

    Return office visit May 2nd unless leaking starts agian.

    May 22nd Follow up and 3rd Post Op PSA

Thank you for your responses. Jackcc, according to instructions it could take 2 to 3 week for drainage to get below 30ccd..I am unsure what is draining and why...I just left an em with dr.....Ceder Chopper...thanks, what benefits does the walking actually do (this is my first surgery...good shape beforehand, was swimming 3 miles per week...as you suggest, I am not overdoing it, have not had any pain, not taking any pain meds...what I am concerned about is that the cat will not be removed? until drainage gets down...im waiting to hear from the drs. office....Question: What causes some people to have a drain...while most get it removed before they leave the hospital? 

Sirius ,

There are so many benefits from walking.  I can only speak from experience:

Walking lets you begin working the General Anesthesia off ASAP.
It lets you develop an appetite and helps get your digestive track working.
Walking involves coordination and balance:  especially important as parts are removed and moved.
It can be tentative (getting up to go to the restroom) or vigorous (speedwalking) and is low impact.  This allows maximum "workout" for every patient.
It requires no equipment.  It can be done with a catheter, IV, drain, etc. in place.
Being ambulatory in itself is of course critical.
However, walking generally makes me feel better about myself - especially a walk in the woods with my two shepherds (Esther & Francisco) as scouts.

Drain time?  Regardless of our progress in medicine and science, medical practice is still an "art." 
I speculate that physicians weigh the benefits of the drain  versus the ability of the patient to take care of it at home.  Lifeguyd's comments seem reasonable: monitoring and taking some of the workload from the body's healing process.
Those that stay in the hospital longer probably have it in longer as well.
The robotic procedure was abandoned for my surgery after an hour of trying to get through adhesions formed after a laparotomy/spleenectomy (automobile accident, 1977).  My stay in the hospital was 3 1/2 days.  The drain came out the day before I left the hospital.

An example of the differences in physicians: My physician leaves the catheter in for 21 days to ensure the urethra/bladder stitching heals.
Other benefits might include keeping the patient moving a little slower and encouraging fluid intake (instead of beginning the incontinence watch immediately) giving other traumas from surgery time to heal.

After the surface wounds heal, swimming will be good for you, too!  ICTHUS

Cedar Chopper

2 Years of PSA between 4 and 5.5

Biopsy 23DEC06 

Only 5 percent cancer in one of 8 samples.

Gleeson 3+3=6

Radical Prostatectomy 16FEB07 at age 54.

1+" tumor - touching inside edge of gland.

Confined.  :)

***************

Texas Hill Country

FRESH Produce Department Manager

Have you had your 5 colors today?