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Need Input--The household tasks you wish you'd done prior to surgery...

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Need Input--The household tasks you wish you'd done prior to surgery...  
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Posted 5/27/2007 8:08 AM (GMT -7)
I've already got a pretty good list. And probably more things than I can actually do. Anticipating the limitations on weight carrying and recognizing that I probably shouldn't be down on my hands and knees, gardening and weeding, well thats one thing.

But I expect those of you who have been through this journey may have some good insights into the general round-the-house, garage and property projects you wish you'd gotten on top of prior to your surgery. Anything to share?

Markus
Age, 53
PSA 3.76, Gleason 6, T1c, scans negative
psa doubling time 35 months
Da vinci robotic scheduled for Thursday, May 31

Posted 5/27/2007 8:54 AM (GMT -7)
Windows!

I asked Paul to wash windows! He was back to mowing the lawn within a week and back to doing about everything else within 6 so, there was no rush to do anything else. His surgery was in late April and by June he was digging our garden pond. Minimally invasive surgery makes it possible for the average young man to get back to doing things much faster then he would otherwise be able to do with an open procedure. I realize this isn't the case wih every person but it is common. Hope you do as well. Good luck.

Swim
 

Posted 5/27/2007 10:18 AM (GMT -7)

  Hey Swim....You KNOW I think your great...but....no matter how they get inside...they surgery is still major in there.  I would not recomend anyone working that hard so soon after surgery.  But who am I to talk.  I would encourage everyone to listen to their Dr. and their bodies.  One mistake could cause injures that would take much longer to heal.

  I always felt great except for the back pain I had from the spasam before surgery.  Probably a good thing I was leaking like a rusty bucket...that kept me from doing too much.  Plus a family that stayed on my A** all the time....heheheheh

  Markus,  Just do what has to be done and let the rest go.  Or call some favors from friends or family.

  Good Luck....

 

  KW

    43
    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.  Worked for a couple of days then back to leaking.
    April 17th (Six Months Post Op) 2nd Collagen Injection to control excessive leaking.  Leaking started back next day at work!
    May 14th Second Opinion about my leaking and Options at OU Medical Center.  After reviewing my records the Dr. feels I will probably need some surgical intervention to stop my leaking.  But did agree to try Bio-Feedback and work hard on the Kegeal's first!
    May 30th Follow up with my Dr. and 3rd Post Op PSA.
    June 1st Start Bio-Feedback to try to control my leaking.
   

Posted 5/27/2007 10:39 AM (GMT -7)
Prostate surgery is an excellent reason to have the wife/partner do everything for 6 weeks ;o)

Age: 51

PSA  Jun06  4.1  (PSA Jun05  1.2)   DRE negative

1st Biopsy Nov06 – Atypical cells but no cancer

2nd Biopsy Jan07 – 1 of 16 cores positive

Stage T1c   Gleason  3+3=6

DaVinci scheduled for 5/17/07

Posted 5/27/2007 1:12 PM (GMT -7)
I had moe problems with the catheter. Bleeding whenever I got up so stayed down as much as possible. Probably not the best thing but a little slower coming back. Began teaching within two weeks and back to work about then, but am an office animal so did not have to lift. Did watch lifting with all the leaking.
1998 psa 5.1; radical prostatectomy Sept.1998; Gleason 3 + 3 = 6  T2b no.  psa almost undetectable until 2005 with uptick, then uptick in 2006 so 6 mos later in 2007 uptick again to .17.  (Twice in those years it did show .1 but next was 0.0)  ct, prostaScint showed small cancer cells on right side of prostate bed, orig surgery showd margin on left.  Going for radiation for five days a week 7 weeks beginning 5-24-07.  Both ed and use a pad a day unless lifting etc.  Be 73 on 6-5-07

Posted 5/27/2007 1:36 PM (GMT -7)
Joes411...love your response! Now that's a man who finds the positive in everything!!

Markus...you won't be an invalid so relax. Find your own path, at your own pace. To quote the surgeon....."just don't do anything stupid!"
 

Posted 5/27/2007 2:04 PM (GMT -7)
I'm with Joe on this one. Make sure you line up some help in advance.

As far as actually doing chores? I made the mistake of lifting a little too soon. You know how that can go. You FEEL okay and think to yourself..."Self, you're healing so much faster, than what the Doc said to expect, that I can do this". yeah The result? "Self, you are an idiot! Why don't you LISTEN?" sad

I knocked myself back about a month because I moved a chair. The worst of it was nothing really hurt when I actually moved it. It kind of creeped up on me a few minutes later. (I blame it on surgically shocked nerves) So, don't rush things.
I sure do wish I had found this site pre-surgery!! RRP 10/25/05 I don't remember all the scores. Have had clean checks ever since. Never had to use the pads!!

Posted 5/27/2007 4:47 PM (GMT -7)
I really think Markus meant his list of things to do BEFORE surgery that he'd wish he'd done before surgery and couldn't after.

The list is the right idea Markus. Bob had a list and systematically did the stuff and crossed items off. Everyone's list will be somewhat different, but ours included things like oil change in vehicles, getting yard prepared for winter (our surgery was in Sept), and general day to day things that he didn't want bugging him. Then once surgery was behind him he just concentrated on getting well and didn't do any more than the doctor had said which was nothing heavier than a phone book to be lifted.

You'll do fine and before you know you'll be on the other side. Once the day comes just forget anything not accomplished from your list. Honest, they'll wait for you.

Good luck!

:o) Linda & Bob
Bob (61) - Laproscopic Prostate Removal Sept 27, 2006.
2 of 12 malignant biopsy samples - gleason 3 + 3 = 6.
 
Pathology - cancer completely contained, even a second more aggressive, previously undetected cancer)
PSA UNDETECTABLE Nov 2006 AND Feb2007.

Bob also has two secondary conditions -- Polycythemia (elevated red & white cells & platelets) and . . Myelofibrosis) -- If anyone has experience with or information on these, please email us.

Posted 5/28/2007 3:11 AM (GMT -7)

El Tigger,

I stocked up on 2 months worth of the 40 lb bags of dog food my German Shepherds eat....

I also tried to train them to keep their paws off of my stomach....... :-)

Via con Dios!
 
CCedar
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*~~*
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?

Posted 5/28/2007 5:15 AM (GMT -7)
I forgot about pets! They can be hard on incisions and stitches. So can kids and grandkids!! Training is essential. Beware! tongue

I know of several guys who had painful experiences with dogs, cats and kids. Myself included. The most bizarre one is a guy whose wife has a cockatoo. (pun not intended but acknowledged) The guy was "airing out" his wound when the bird took the notion his stitches might be good to eat!!! Poor guy!!
I sure do wish I had found this site pre-surgery!! RRP 10/25/05 I don't remember all the scores. Have had clean checks ever since. Never had to use the pads!!

Post Edited (El Tigre) : 5/28/2007 6:24:09 AM (GMT-6)

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