PSA Result

I just received my results from my PSA test and it came back as <0.1 which is what I wanted to see! It means that the surgery seems to be successful and as long as that number stays where it is now, I should not have to worry about Prostate Cancer anymore. They will be checking it every 3 months to keep an eye on it. John

Follow up with Doctor

I finally got in to see my Doctor for my follow up visit. He said everything seems to be progressing on track. It looks like I will be back to work on the 23rd of February. I had blood drawn for a PSA test and that number should be down to zero or very close to that. It is a indicator if they got all the cancer cells out. I should know in a couple of days what it is. Anyways still doing a lot of walking and eating healthy and getting stronger all the time. The weight restrictions are off so I can start lifting and doing more strenuous exercise. Still working on bladder control issues and I am making progress with that as well. I feel great and miss seeing everyone and can't wait to being back to normal. John

Trip to San Diego

I stopped in at my work on the way to a Prostate Cancer support group Wednesday morning and was glad I did. It was nice to see everyone and have a bagel that Ken brought in. I didn't get to talk to everyone as I know you are all busy, but will try another trip soon. The support group meeting was interesting as I was able to talk with a number of men who have gone thru the ordeal. I am glad I waited until after the surgery as a number of men had some rather disturbing problems after their surgery. Granted most of them were a lot older than I was when they had it done, and were experiencing problems before. They got a kick out of my inside out depends story, so it ended on a up note. Hope everyone is doing well, John

3 weeks since surgery

Time has gone by fast. I am now getting into a routine and recovery is going well. Slow, but progressing. If you ever have to wear Depends, make sure you don't put them on inside out. They don't work that well. On the upside I did have a pad on the bed that got the overflow. It was 1:00 am and I was kind of tired so Mary cut me some slack. Anyways I am out and about most of the day walking a little further each time and tackling some slight hills. I am some what mobile now, the Dr said I can drive which I have taken advantage of on short excursions. Well its time for my morning walk so I better get going, hope to see everyone soon!

Today is Friday and I went out for a haircut due to all the rain. I took the dog for a short walk this morning and all was going good until two strays came after us. Needless to say there is a reason they said to not walk the dog too soon, as she was pulling on the leash and my stomach muscles as well. She was doing real good up until then, so I might try and get her out later with Mary. I walked over two miles yesterday but felt it when I got back. Even slight rises in the road I can feel. One of the big problems with recovery is you try and due too much and injure yourself. I believe it! So I am not trying to overdue it but, you can only watch Ellen and Oprah a few times before you get stir crazy.

No Carry bag!

I forgot I had this picture. This is the day after getting my catheter out. Mary took me for a drive down to the Oceanside Harbor for a little stroll. Needless to say I was still getting a little tired from walking, but it felt great to be outside and not having to carry anything.

Mary has been great!

Mary goes back to work full-time tomorrow, and I am going to miss all her help! She has been a real trooper and has taken care of all my needs. I love and appreciate all she has done to help in my recovery, and could not do it without her support. I try and help as much as I can but am limited to what I can do. I can't help it if the Doctor said no vacuuming or lifting. Anyways I wanted every one to know it has been a team effort and I welcome all positive thoughts and appreciate them more than you know, John

Life in recovery

The first night without the catheter was not much fun. I had almost zero control over my bladder and was up every 2-3 hrs changing my "diapers". I did not get much sleep but made it thru the night eventually. Saturday during the day was a little bit better, but definitely buy stock in those pads for men. I went out and about as it was a beautiful day, and a lot of my neighbors were wondering where my carry bag was and what I had in it. Apparently they did not want to pry and ask what was up. Anyways they got a big lecture on prostate cancer surgery and recovery. I think that was more of the reason since they know I can ramble on and on. Saturday night was much better sleep wise, since I was able to hold my bladder and did not have to change once during the night. I hope that keeps up since it is nice to sleep and get some good rest. I am still walking every day and feeling good. It's half time for the Eagles/Arizona game so I better go and do a lap around the neighborhood.

Catheter out, now the fun starts

Yesterday I had my catheter removed, and the worrying about the removal did not live up to the reality of having it pulled out. The nurse first filled my bladder via the catheter tube with about a liter of saline solution. This caused a very full feeling which I hadn't experienced for quite a while. Then when they said to go ahead and go, and while that was happening the catheter was pulled out with out me even knowing. Although the site of me peeing all over was not what I wanted to see but apparently they did to make sure I could go. Now the fun starts as I have to relearn control and have been going thru a lot of "pads" and clothes. Now I switch from catheter bag to diaper bag for a while. It could be worse I guess. If I had not said before, the pathology report came back and it appears that all the cancer was removed. My prostate was 10-15% cancer. All the edges were clean and no sign of spreading so a very good prognosis. Now off to the bathroom to try and get back to normal. John

I know I have been not to current on this blog for my recovery but it is hard to sit for very long and I have been out and about as much as I can taking advantage of this great weather! It is hard to see the tube attached to the carry bag but it is there. I am playing around with uploading pictures and this is my first try, John

Waiting to chech out.

The Doctor and hospital wanted to get me out the next day Wednesday, but I had not been able to get any action out of my bowels (pass gas or burp) and when the Dr saw my stomach and asked if it was normally that big and bloated, decided to keep me in another night. I had been given only broth and jello for dinner on Tuesday and breakfast on Wednesday so that was not the cause. Apparently your intestines and bowels shut down while you are under anesthesia and mine had not started working yet. Who new how good a burp or passing gas could be. I started eating solid food for lunch and dinner Wednesday, and didn't start getting results until early morning on Thursday. On the bright side they moved me to my own room and was able to get alot more rest which helped out quite a bit for sleeping. I roamed the halls carrying my trusty bag to try and get my system going. Seeing people who seemed to be in worse shape then I was spurred me on to try and get home. The catheter part has not been as bad as I expected, but trying to get a BM has been the hard part. WE eventually were able to get the Dr to come and get the check out process going and I arrived home in time to see the second half of the Florida/Ohio game. It was nice to be home!

Done with surgery, on with recovery

My stay at the hospital was what was to be expected, no sleep, poking prodding, pain, but they were pretty free with the morphine! We were at the hospital at 0530 and I got prepped, thats when the nerves started kicking in. Luckily they are ready for that and slipped something into my IV. After saying goodbye to my wife I was wheeled back to surgery and it was lights out. I remember talking about the Chargers and the next thing was waking up in recovery. I knew I was still out of it when I kept complaining about my left arm hurt, but when they asked me to show them where it hurt I pointed to my right arm. They said it was probably strapped down out of the way and thats why it hurt. Surgery went longer than expected, I went into the surgery room at 0800 and didn't get out until 2:30 in the afternoon. Something about my prostate sticking to my rectum. (I will try and not be to graphic in my explanations). I did not get to my room until 8:00 pm due to the patient wasn't released yet from my bed. The recovery room nurse let Mary come and sit with me which is normally not allowed so I was thankful for that. Tuesday night was pretty much pain, morphine shot, doze off, wake up for vital signs, noise, more pain, another morhine shot, bring another patient in my room who had sleep apnea and had to wear a mask which blew air into his face, the nurse did round up some ear plugs and another dose of pain medicine for a total of about 3 hours of sleep. So all in all the first day not so bad. I do have to say all the nurses that I had were very helpful and went out of there way to keep me comfortable. They are overworked, but maintain a proffessional attitude.

1 day to go

It is noon and I am starting my prep for surgery tomorrow which is slugging down a bottle of magnesium citrate. They say not to get to far from home after taking it, so I took my dog for a walk earlier and waiting for results. I want to thank everybody for being so supportive in seeing me get well. I am grateful for having a large network of people from family, friends and work. I couldn't due it without your support. I have been off only one day and I am fighting the urge to call in and see how things are going. I know everything is running well and it is in good hands. I will try and keep this updated so you can check on my progress. For those who are squeamish, I will try not and be to graphic in my descriptions! (or photos) John