status update

Gtmriviera,

Your numbers sound good.  Your choice sounds well-thought.  And you are correct about the group here that cares about you!

Three weeks and back to work?  It is possible if you have very light duties at work.
Maybe leave yourself another week or two contingency - maybe half days - in case you don't feel like it.  While robotic laperascopy really accelerates healing time of sutures and such, this surgery made me feel more tired than my appendectomy, tonsilectomy, spleenectomy, or shoulder repair, etc.
My experience is that you will likely need more rest than usual at week four.  
I went back to work at week 5 with some very minor (for me) lifting.
It wasn't until Week 7 that my energy levels for a full day at work seemed to return.
I still felt an empty spot and "stumps" in my pubic cavity - especially when lifting or crouching or crouching & lifting - until just recently. 
I'm in the middle of Month Six.

You may be younger and stronger or heal faster.  (They did have to abandon robotic on me and open me as my prior surgeries had formed adhesions that blocked the da Vinci tools.  It was not, however, the suture sight that was causing my feelings of "vacuity" and weakness. 
Maybe just allow for the possibility of taking 4 weeks off - if you don't have a desk job!

Your friend,

CCedar
ICTHUS!

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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?

Hi gtmriviera,

Sounds like you've done your research and like everyone says "don't look back, don't doubt yourself and move forward". It's a good thing to reclaim control.

The people who post here are a wealth of information and concern. The environment here allows us to express ourselves and to reach out to others. It seems every time I come here I learn something - now that's an uncommon thing!

I wish you well,
Susan

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Husband Diagnosed 11/17/05 Age: 63 No Symptoms
PSA: 7.96, Positive DRE
Biopsy Right: 6 of 6 Cores Positive Biopsy Left: 1 of 6 Cores Positive
Gleason: 4+3 = 7 Stage: T2B N0 MX
3 mo. PSA Post Surgery: 11.8, 12.9, 13.9 Bone scan, CT scan, Endorectal MRI, Chest XR - neg.
9/06/06: 6 mo. PSA: 18.8 Distant lymph node involvement Start HT Lupron 3 mo. shots
12/06/06: PSA 0.8
03/07/07: PSA 0.3
06/06/07: PSA 0.1

Hi gtm.  My Dr told me not to think about going back to work for 6 weeks.  My real boss ( The Wife and love of my wife), told me when I told her I was thinking about going back at 4 weeks,( you remember what the Dr told you was 6 weeks).  The problem I had was that I felt very good, and with that I overdid it before I realized it and made myself sick.  So I stuck with the advise of my Dr, wife, along with the help of Bluebird and Buddy and have been back to work 3 weeks.  I still get tired in the afternoon some days but feel I am getting better all the time.  Good luck to you and don't be afraid of the surgery.  A skilled surgeon is a wonderful friend.  Good luck to you and let us all know how you are doing.

Mika- mvesr

gtm,

There are threads on the forum concerning what to wear home from surgery. In my case I bought a couple of pairs of the net type of basketball pants that you can get at sporting goods stores like Dick's. They have baggy legs and a waist that is loose and you can tie it for comfort. The two considerations that you must have in mind is that you will have a catheter hooked to a bag that is attached to the inside of your lower leg. Also, your abdomen will be sore and bloated. You do not want to wear anything that puts pressure on it. Shorts are okay as long as you do not have anyone else around looking at the bag. I found it more friendly to have the longer pants as they hide the bag and no one even knows you have it. My daughters and friends came around a lot those first few days. Also, you will be out walking the day you get home. I walked a mile the first day home but I can tell you that was too much. I took a robe to the hospital and never got it out of the carry-on bag. There is no way you can wear a robe with all of the tubes and the pulsating air bags that will be on your legs to prevent blood clots can make you warm. I found out just a few hours before being discharged that they can control the temperature on those bags and because most people come out of surgery cold they place them on warm. I was the opposite and it was great when they switched them to cool.

Tamu

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Diagnosed 7/6/06, 1 of 10 core samples, 40%,Stage T1c, Gleason 3+3

Da Vinci on 11/01/06, Catheter out on 11/13/06

56 Years Old

Post Op Path, Gleason 3+3, Approx. 5% of prostate involved

Prostate Confined, margins clear

Undetectable PSA on 12/18/06

No more pads as of 1/13/07

Began injections in April '07

Undetectable PSA on 6/25/07

Hi gtm -- Cedar Chopper hit the nail on the head, as far as I'm concerned. I hope you are back in action within three weeks, but as Cedar said, this particular surgery isn't overly painful or anything -- it just seems to sap the energy-- big time- at least in our cases.
Like Cedar, I was wondering at about six weeks out of surgery whether I'd ever feel like my old self again. Then, at week seven, I finally felt like my old energy level was returning. Things have only gotten better since.
Even sitting may be uncomfortable for you for a few weeks after surgery. So be prepared to bring a pillow to work..
Anyway, of all things, don't try to be a hero and rush your recovery. I tried that and paid dearly at about four weeks out.
Heal slow and heal well. Take it easy and give your body a chance to do what it does best. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all of us, thank God.
Best to ya my man,
Tom

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54 years old

PSA = First ever was 9.8 in late Oct. ‘06, two weeks later, 10.1

DRE: Negative

Biopsy results 11/22/06 (6 out of 8 cores positive), both lobes, Gleason 3+3 = 6

Da Vinci Robotic RP surgery, City of Hope, Jan 12, 2007

Post surgery pathology – Organ confined, Gleason still 6, margins clear.

First post-surgery PSA -- Undetectable, 2/20/07

     Hi   ~ gtmriviera &   Loved Ones,   A    “Special”   Warm Welcome   to   You!         We know ~ we can “all” make “Your Journey” smoother just by being here for you!   This is truly a great forum!!! ~ You have joined!  You are now part our forum family ~ a group of wonderful individuals who are so willing to share...   It helps “all of us” ~ to help you ~ if we know where you are on your path. So ~ Please stay with us and take our hand when you need it!   Keep posting.... OKAY!!     KNOWLEDGE     IS     POWER   ...   and   POWER conquers   fear   YOU MAKE THE DECISIONS… YOU HAVE OPTIONS… ~ and ~ Your decision will be the right decision for you!!!   Keeping you close in thoughts and prayers as you move forward…   In Friendship ~ Lee & Buddy   “God Bless You” It's a little prayer   ~   "God Bless You" ...but it means so much each day, It means may angels guard you and guide you on your   way.   (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) Helpful Hints ~ & ~ Direct Links to Important Topic Threads ~ Hope this helps you!! :) mama bluebird - Lee & Buddy… from North Carolina J   We invite you to visit our personal thread:   Click Here:   “Our Journey” ~ Sharing is Caring   April 3, 2006  53 on surgery day RRP / Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy PSA 4.6   Gleason  3+3=6    T2a   Confined to Prostate 2nd PSA 02-06-2007 Less than 0.1 Non-Detectable :)  

Everyone gave me great advice and now I will try to do the same.  I didn't start the thread, but you may want to read "The Importance of Being Your Own Advocate". (Direct Link ~ just click on the title below and a new window will open!   Reminder … click on the REFRESH icon once you get there) THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING YOUR OWN ADVOCATE - PLEASE READ!  started by MyMan Post edited to activate link….   :) Post Edited By Moderator (bluebird) : 8/4/2007 12:02:54 PM (GMT-6)