Just found out last night

gkoper

May 21
I did my pre-op yesterday as well Jim. I am a bit anxious since I have had a mysterious upper respiratory problem for 2 weeks now. No symtons except a nagging cough. The chest xray they did should tell why. Was going down to the Keys (Fl.) for a few days of R&R but may have to put that off. I'm waiting for the phone call on the results as I write.
To compound matters, my wife is breaking out with what appears to be shingles. Got to keep moving forward though.
Cheers,
George

RRMCJIM

gkoper said:

May 21
I did my pre-op yesterday as well Jim. I am a bit anxious since I have had a mysterious upper respiratory problem for 2 weeks now. No symtons except a nagging cough. The chest xray they did should tell why. Was going down to the Keys (Fl.) for a few days of R&R but may have to put that off. I'm waiting for the phone call on the results as I write.
To compound matters, my wife is breaking out with what appears to be shingles. Got to keep moving forward though.
Cheers,
George

Well George, I hope the
Well George, I hope the upper respiratory problem gets resolved before your surgery. Will the Dr still perform it otherwise? Hope your wife is doing better also. I am finally looking forward to surgery day, maybe the Prozac is kicking in ...lol... We had some time in the Islands last month, was trying to plan something there after the surgery, but the Dr doesn't want me that far away for awhile. Hopefully in July, before I go back to work in August. I am off from the 21st of May, until Aug 3rd. So we should be able to squeeze in some time after surgery follow ups, and blood work 4 weeks out. But we shall see. All the best to you on the 21st George.
Jim

Tefagh

RRMCJIM said:

I am trying
I do try, but still very emotional all the time. Never thought I would be such a cry baby, or so angry. I have another appt with my urologist on monday. I have so many question now that I have been doing research on this disease. I hope to get some answers in person, rather than by e-mail with my Dr. He is being patient with all my e-mail however. I think I found one of the good ones first time out of the gate. He still thinks I should go the Robotic method , but with only one sample out of twelve showing a 25% involvement 3+3 I am wondering if active survellance isn't an option worth considering. I just need more info before I can make an educated decision.

My dad is going through
My dad is going through exactely every thing you described.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to have prostectomy till last night that we found out his PSA is rising up.
Check your PSA regularly while you are searching and thinking.
Be positive, the last thing you want is losing time, so as long as you know your PSA is steady you have enough time to think about optionts of treatment.
After my reasearch about side effects, I found out that if you go for davinci prostectomy rather than open surgery the side effects are much less from 80% to 20%. the other point is you need to find a surgeon who has done this davinci robaric surgery in a large number rather than just few. This point also reduces the risks of side effects to a very low percentage.
I am extremely worried about my dad and my advise is think about being around your family longer which is the main point.
Hope it helped.
Goodluck

Tefagh

RRMCJIM said:

I am trying
I do try, but still very emotional all the time. Never thought I would be such a cry baby, or so angry. I have another appt with my urologist on monday. I have so many question now that I have been doing research on this disease. I hope to get some answers in person, rather than by e-mail with my Dr. He is being patient with all my e-mail however. I think I found one of the good ones first time out of the gate. He still thinks I should go the Robotic method , but with only one sample out of twelve showing a 25% involvement 3+3 I am wondering if active survellance isn't an option worth considering. I just need more info before I can make an educated decision.

My dad is going through
My dad is going through exactely every thing you described.
He wasn't sure if he wanted to have prostectomy till last night that we found out his PSA is rising up.
Check your PSA regularly while you are searching and thinking.
Be positive, the last thing you want is losing time, so as long as you know your PSA is steady you have enough time to think about optionts of treatment.
After my reasearch about side effects, I found out that if you go for davinci prostectomy rather than open surgery the side effects are much less from 80% to 20%. the other point is you need to find a surgeon who has done this davinci robaric surgery in a large number rather than just few. This point also reduces the risks of side effects to a very low percentage.
I am extremely worried about my dad and my advise is think about being around your family longer which is the main point.
Hope it helped.
Goodluck

whubbs

RRMCJIM said:

Well George, I hope the
Well George, I hope the upper respiratory problem gets resolved before your surgery. Will the Dr still perform it otherwise? Hope your wife is doing better also. I am finally looking forward to surgery day, maybe the Prozac is kicking in ...lol... We had some time in the Islands last month, was trying to plan something there after the surgery, but the Dr doesn't want me that far away for awhile. Hopefully in July, before I go back to work in August. I am off from the 21st of May, until Aug 3rd. So we should be able to squeeze in some time after surgery follow ups, and blood work 4 weeks out. But we shall see. All the best to you on the 21st George.
Jim

Good Luck
Good luck guys!
Things will work out just fine, be positive and know you've made the right decision.
Follow doctors orders for pre-op and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Let us know how your are doing as soon as you feel up to it.
-Wayne

whubbs

RRMCJIM said:

Well George, I hope the
Well George, I hope the upper respiratory problem gets resolved before your surgery. Will the Dr still perform it otherwise? Hope your wife is doing better also. I am finally looking forward to surgery day, maybe the Prozac is kicking in ...lol... We had some time in the Islands last month, was trying to plan something there after the surgery, but the Dr doesn't want me that far away for awhile. Hopefully in July, before I go back to work in August. I am off from the 21st of May, until Aug 3rd. So we should be able to squeeze in some time after surgery follow ups, and blood work 4 weeks out. But we shall see. All the best to you on the 21st George.
Jim

Good Luck
Good luck guys!
Things will work out just fine, be positive and know you've made the right decision.
Follow doctors orders for pre-op and don't be afraid to ask questions.
Let us know how your are doing as soon as you feel up to it.
-Wayne

gkoper

Fast tomorrow
Hi Jim...tomorrow I start my weight loss program
We went to a party last night where they held a mock prostatectomy on me. Lots of wine made it painless. The chief surgeon was a fellow prostateless friend. The doc he used is the one who will do me...I told him that I will give the doc strict orders that if he messes up I will kill him. Wine will make you say that:)
So onward & upward & gitter done! Goodluck Jim & keep me posted.
Cheers,
George

gkoper

Da Vinci is done
The deed was done Thursday & I was released last night. No complications, minimal pain & I'm now dealing with the strap-on cathater. Probably the most annoying part is having a persistant cold virus with congestion & cough. Cough is not good after gut surgery.
But it feel good to be past this first hurdle. How are you doing Jim?
Cheers,
George

RRMCJIM

gkoper said:

Da Vinci is done
The deed was done Thursday & I was released last night. No complications, minimal pain & I'm now dealing with the strap-on cathater. Probably the most annoying part is having a persistant cold virus with congestion & cough. Cough is not good after gut surgery.
But it feel good to be past this first hurdle. How are you doing Jim?
Cheers,
George

Home from surgery
Hey george, same here, had the deed done friday got home sat. Not much pain, taking tylenol, no spasams. Cannot find a comfortable spot with the cath. countdown to removal, that is my next step. Glad to hear you are also doing well George. That cough must really suck big time. All the best
Jim

gkoper

Back after being robotized
Hi Jim,
Good to hear your back home if not back in the saddle yet. Each day gets a little better.
The catheter they sent me home with is pint size. The doc said a bigger night bag might allow bacteria to enter when changed. After 2 nights of nurse Angie (wife) & I getting up every 1.5 hours,I rigged an extension hose that emptys into the gallon size go-lightly bottle. We slept like babies last night. I manage the cough by positioning my body in a wreched but more cough friendly manner. I'm doing lots of walking & yesterday walked over to check a neighbors house (out of town) & saw a fox scamper away. Then I saw about 4 fox pups (at a large shed) staring at me. My wife is taking pictures today.
Its a great day to be alive in central Fl this Memorial day. As I gaze out my window I see the sun peeking through the trees & a hummingbird sating itself at the feeder.
And just think...in a few days we won't have this silly bag strapped to our leg.
Cheers,
George

Olee

gkoper said:

Back after being robotized
Hi Jim,
Good to hear your back home if not back in the saddle yet. Each day gets a little better.
The catheter they sent me home with is pint size. The doc said a bigger night bag might allow bacteria to enter when changed. After 2 nights of nurse Angie (wife) & I getting up every 1.5 hours,I rigged an extension hose that emptys into the gallon size go-lightly bottle. We slept like babies last night. I manage the cough by positioning my body in a wreched but more cough friendly manner. I'm doing lots of walking & yesterday walked over to check a neighbors house (out of town) & saw a fox scamper away. Then I saw about 4 fox pups (at a large shed) staring at me. My wife is taking pictures today.
Its a great day to be alive in central Fl this Memorial day. As I gaze out my window I see the sun peeking through the trees & a hummingbird sating itself at the feeder.
And just think...in a few days we won't have this silly bag strapped to our leg.
Cheers,
George

Road to Recovery
Good to see you guys home and on the road to recovery. Just remember, patience and follow Dr's orders. Whatever you do, don't lift anything of any weight. Again good to see you guys home and recovering, Happy Memorial Day.

RRMCJIM

Olee said:

Road to Recovery
Good to see you guys home and on the road to recovery. Just remember, patience and follow Dr's orders. Whatever you do, don't lift anything of any weight. Again good to see you guys home and recovering, Happy Memorial Day.

good to be home
Hi all, yes it is good to be home. Glad to see you figured out something easier for you George, the glo-lightly bucket huh...lol... Thanks for the well wishes. Nice ride by the way,(in the pic, George) don't know if I am walking as much as you , just laps around the house, Olee, Happy Memorial Day to you and yours also, and I am following Dr's orders. Not eating much yet tho, just not that hungry, Still getting rid of the gas, I would of thought that by now it would be gone, my poor wife...I am still trying to find a comfortable way to be mobil with the cath...oh well, it's only a week, 10 days, then it will be out.
Jim

gkoper

home sweet home
Thanks Olee&Jim. Don't know your girl's m/o...but mine has me on a short leash. Probably best since I go full tilt boogy most of the time. And Jim; saw somewhere you are a Harley guy? I rode a sportster back in the Easy Rider days of the late 60s early 70s. Then a couple of years ago my buddy loaned me one of his Harley's & we did a couple of charity runs. Approx. 700 bikes in each. Caught the bug again & almost bought a v-rod. But a sweet little 33 Ford Vicky showed up at the Don Garlits museum in Ocala,Fl. & I made the builder an offer he couldn't refuse. Men & toys.
Cheers,
George

RRMCJIM

gkoper said:

home sweet home
Thanks Olee&Jim. Don't know your girl's m/o...but mine has me on a short leash. Probably best since I go full tilt boogy most of the time. And Jim; saw somewhere you are a Harley guy? I rode a sportster back in the Easy Rider days of the late 60s early 70s. Then a couple of years ago my buddy loaned me one of his Harley's & we did a couple of charity runs. Approx. 700 bikes in each. Caught the bug again & almost bought a v-rod. But a sweet little 33 Ford Vicky showed up at the Don Garlits museum in Ocala,Fl. & I made the builder an offer he couldn't refuse. Men & toys.
Cheers,
George

short leash
Mine also George, She has been wanting to wait on me hand and foot...gotta love the women in our lives, all of us, she helped me into the shower today then gave me a shave... ahhhh clean once again..lol...Yes on the harley.... been riding all my life. Not only that but I have worked for Harley Davidson for 37 years now. The 33 Vicky is a sweet little number. Congrats..
Jim

ismetals

RRMCJIM said:

short leash
Mine also George, She has been wanting to wait on me hand and foot...gotta love the women in our lives, all of us, she helped me into the shower today then gave me a shave... ahhhh clean once again..lol...Yes on the harley.... been riding all my life. Not only that but I have worked for Harley Davidson for 37 years now. The 33 Vicky is a sweet little number. Congrats..
Jim

congrats to the two of you
Sounds like the two of you are on the way to a full recovery. The both of you show a tremendous sense of optimism. Good luck and keep us posted. My deighbor is still guite wet though. he's a week out of the catheter and still showing only slight improvement. All i can do is keep him optimistic and excercising. Good luck

gkoper

Ismetals
Thanks Ismedals....looks like you got a big one on the line in your picture. Where was it taken?
George

kreinholt

RRMCJIM said:

short leash
Mine also George, She has been wanting to wait on me hand and foot...gotta love the women in our lives, all of us, she helped me into the shower today then gave me a shave... ahhhh clean once again..lol...Yes on the harley.... been riding all my life. Not only that but I have worked for Harley Davidson for 37 years now. The 33 Vicky is a sweet little number. Congrats..
Jim

Short Leash
Jim and George, Glad to see both of you on the road to recovery. The catheter was the worst. Counted down the days till I got it out. As for my support, my wife is a RN so she instinctively wanted to take care of me, but God bless her and as much as I love the attention, I've never been much of a dependant, so she understood and encouraged me when I wanted to flex my independance and do things on my own. But she kept a close eye on me to make sure that I wasn't overdoing it. Take it easy for now and you'll be back up in no time. Please keep us posted.

lwagner

gkoper said:

Ismetals
Thanks Ismedals....looks like you got a big one on the line in your picture. Where was it taken?
George

Bibs
Well fellows it sounds like you are about ready to get out of the house so a loose pair of bib overalls will make manageing the catheter a lot easier. It worked for me.

RRMCJIM

lwagner said:

Bibs
Well fellows it sounds like you are about ready to get out of the house so a loose pair of bib overalls will make manageing the catheter a lot easier. It worked for me.

overalls
Well I'm not sure what that would look like....temp here the last few days was almost 100 degrees, I can hear the wife now...lol.. I have been staying close to home, walking laps around the house. I will get the cath out Mon 10 am appt...4 more days... not taking much as far as pain meds now, about 2 or 3 tylenol per day. Discomfort is very minimal. George I hope you have that cough under control.....I want to thank everyone for all the support these past few months
Jim

gkoper

Hey Jim
Things are looking good so far...tomorrow I go in for a cystogram to check for leaks...no leaks,cath comes off. Have not needed any pain meds except for 2 percocets in the hospital overnighter. Took my last antibiotic today. I must say that my cold was the worst thing about the surgery. The side effects remain to be seen. All in all, the wine tastes very good tonight.
Cheers,
George