I'm on the Other Side

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.

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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

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

 

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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

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

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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.

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

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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

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.

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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.