I'm on the Other Side

triker

Regular Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 22

Posted 12/2/2007 3:00 PM (GMT -6)

I had robotic surgery Thursday, 11/29 and I believe that all is going well. My surgery was scheduled for noon, but I did not go into the operating room until about 1:30 pm. The nurse had me walking the hall for the first time at 3:30 am, and I was released on Friday before 11 am. My doctor said that the surgery took about 2 hours and all went without any complications or surprises. I go back to have the catheter removed on Thursday or Friday of this coming week (7-8 days). Dr. Miller said that he would have the pathology report at that time.

I have been walking each day and feel that I am getting stronger. My urine has returned to its normal color. I have had minimal real pain, just some discomfort in the abdomen section. I took something for pain after getting home (2 hour car ride), but have only occasionally used Advil (my doctor's recommendation) since then. I don't have much of an appetite yet, but I sure was happy to have my first bowel movement this morning.

My doctor had me take Milk of Magnesia, and he gave me the bowel movement as my weekend project.

As far as the catheter goes, I have found that I am more comfortable with the leg bag. I initially used boxers but have converted to briefs and find that they help to stabilize the tube and minimize the tugging of the catheter.

I am thankful to have reached this point in my journey. My family and friends have meant so much to me and my wife. My wife of 39 years (on 11/30) is remarkable. I feel truly blessed. I did have to ask her yesterday when she was helping me change catheter bags if she knew what she was getting into when she said yes 39 years ago.

Thanks to everyone that has posted on this site. The information, personal experiences, and support have been invaluable.

Walter

Age 58
10/06 - 1st PSA ever - 4.6
11/06 - PSA retake - 5.3
12/06 - Biopsy, 12 cores - negative
7/07 - PSA - 9.0
7/07 - PSA 13.8 (after 10 days antibiotics)
8/07 - Biopsy, 12 cores, 1 positive @1%; Gleason 3+3=6
9/17/07 - Bone scan - negative
9/18/07 - CT scan - negative
10/12/07 - John Hopkins recheck of biopsy slides Gleason 3+3=6
Da Vinci surgery scheduled for 11/29/07

James C.

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 4463

Posted 12/2/2007 3:40 PM (GMT -6)

Congrats on your successful passage to the healing side. Now relax, let time and nature run its course in healing you. I'm glad yo have had an uneventual trip so far....

James C.

Tim G

Veteran Member

Joined : Jul 2006

Posts : 2393

Posted 12/2/2007 4:35 PM (GMT -6)

It's good to hear that you are recovering well from your prostatectomy, Walter! You're making enviable progress, way ahead of the normal recovery curve.

Funny thing, I had the same experience with briefs being more comfortable to stablize the catheter tubing. During the two weeks I had the catheter in, I adjusted the tape and tubing location umpteen times to find the best spot.

On the bright side, you don't have to get up in the middle of the night to make your bladder gladder. Take care and hang in there...Tim

Age 59 PSA 2.6 (Quadrupled in one year) Gleason 5

Bilateral nerve-sparing RRP 6/21/06

Cancer confined to prostate, post-op PSA's non-detectable

mvesr

Veteran Member

Joined : Apr 2007

Posts : 823

Posted 12/2/2007 4:41 PM (GMT -6)

Hi Triker. Glad to see you on the other side. Walking will help you but don't overdo it. Your body will let you know. Just take it easy and don't do too much. You will feel so good it will be easy to do. Take care and I hope you pathology will be good too.

Mika

lawink

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 621

Posted 12/2/2007 6:08 PM (GMT -6)

Good to hear you're doing so well. Keep up the good work; don't overdo, or lift and keep us posted on your pathology report and recovery.
;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, Feb, May, Oct2007. ONE YEAR!!!! WHOOO HOOOO!

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.

Magaboo

Veteran Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 1211

Posted 12/2/2007 7:35 PM (GMT -6)

Hi triker,

Welcome to "this side". Sounds like everything is coming along very nicely. Congratulations.

Now take it easy for a few days and give your body a chance to start healing.

Wishing you a full and speedy recovery.

Magaboo

Born Sept., 1936
PSA 7.9
Stage T1C

Gleason's Score 3+4=7
Open RP 28 Nov 06

Catheter out 15 Dec 06

Dry since 11 Feb 07
1st PSA result on 15 March 07 = 0

2nd PSA result on 15 June 07 = 0

3rd PSA result on 12 September 07 = 0

Izzyblizzy

Regular Member

Joined : Oct 2006

Posts : 411

Posted 12/2/2007 8:02 PM (GMT -6)

Glad to hear all is going well! Keep up the great recovery, and give your wife a gentle hug :)

Age: 63
Diagnosed: 10/30/06
PSA: 3.7 (2005: 3.4, 2004: 4.0)
Biopsy: 1/10 cancerous, 5% of one core, right apex.
Gleason: 3+3=6
Da Vinci: April 10, 2007, Denver CO
Path results: 1% of prostate involved. Very small tumors on both right and left apex. Negative margins, negative seminal vessicles, lymph nodes left intact. Gleason upgraded 3+4=7.

1st PSA Results: May 11, 2007 <.01

IdahoSurvivor

Veteran Member

Joined : Aug 2007

Posts : 1015

Posted 12/2/2007 10:13 PM (GMT -6)

Hey triker,

Nice to see you on "the other side!" 'So glad to hear you're on the mend. You've taken a big step to healing. The Milk of Magnesia can be very helpful, but don't strain yourself too much. You had a lot of work done down there and you want it to heal the way the doc left it

It also sounds like you hit the jackpot in finding your bride 39 years ago. What a gem!

Stay close and we're looking for a good path report this coming week!

Kind regards!

Barry

"Idaho" ~ Barry

Da Vinci Surgery July 31, 2007… 54 on surgery day
PSA 4.3 Gleason 3+3=6 T2a Confined to Prostate

1st PSA 0.04 (undetectable) 9/11/2007

My web site: http://pca-info.blogspot.com

JCL

Regular Member

Joined : Jul 2007

Posts : 242

Posted 12/3/2007 7:31 AM (GMT -6)

Welcome to the other side of the bridge, triker! It appears you're on your way to an excellent recovery. Keep walking, but don't over due it.

Age: 49

Diagnosed: March 25, 2007

PSA: 3.0

Biopsy: Gleason 6. Five of twelve core samples positive with <5% each. No perineural invasion seen.

DaVinci Surgery: May 21, 2007 at Florida Hospital, Orlando, Florida. Surgery took one hour and 45 minutes. According to my surgeon, everything went textbook and the prostate peeled away nicely.

Post-op Pathology Report: Upgraded to Gleason 7 (3+4), negative margins, negative capsular penetration, negative seminal vesicles, lymph nodes left intact, multifocal perinural invasion, 15% of prosate involving cancer in both lobes.

Continence: Out of the pads at five weeks. Still have some very minor stress incontinence at times but it's not an issue. Still Kegel every day and will continue to do so.

Erections: Yes! With the assistance of Cialis.

1st Post-op PSA: <0.1 2nd Post-op PSA: <0.1

Family history: My Father had his prostate removed at age 67 in 1997 and has had a <0.1 PSA for the past 10 years. I was diagnosed at a much earlier age and had a more agressive cancer than my father. Go figure.

Little Jem

New Member

Joined : Sep 2007

Posts : 16

Posted 12/3/2007 7:42 AM (GMT -6)

Hi Triker,

Welcome to the 'other side'. Funny, my hubby found briefs more comfortable than boxers whilst he had his catheter in too. We're now 18 months post surgery and last PSA was a big fat zero.

Wish you and your good lady well as you travel the recovery road together. We celebrate 30 years together next year and if my hubby were to ask me the same question ("I did have to ask her yesterday when she was helping me change catheter bags if she knew what she was getting into when she said yes 39 years ago.") the answer would most definitely be "NO" but would I say "YES" again, even with the benefit of hindsight? YOU BETCHA!!!!

Take care of each other!!

Little Jem

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