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Medical Forum / Diseases and Disorders / Prostate Cancer / August 2004Just over a week until surgery
Hello all, It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been monitoring the site and take hope from others' experiences. Allen's surgery in on 8/18 - exactly 10 days away. It seems to be arriving so fast, although when we first got the surgery date it seemed way too far away. I've bought pants that snap up the side (they are a little big, but I'm hoping they will fit him with the "accessories" he'll be wearing). He's also consuming Ensure and I got some pull-up Depends (a purchase that Allen had a little trouble coping with). I've heard some of you talk about "pads" - are those something special for incontinence? I was thinking a 3-day hospital stay, although I've heard some of you talk about more days. I think Allen's doctor said three days. He is having the regular surgery - no orthroscopic (or however it is spelled). Allen has previous surgeries that dictated the "full meal deal." I guess I'm beginning to get a bit nervous (okay, there is no "beginning" about it). I hope the cancer is contained and that he joins the ranks of 0.0 PSA or 0.1. I'll check in after the surgery. Although I don't speak up often, I take comfort in listening to the rest of you. Take care... Debbie Hi Debbie, Yes, this is an emotional time. For me, having a good cry helped. Others might think that is wimpy but it helped me. My treatments were different than Allen will be having but I'm sure we share some of the same issues. Such as dealing with things like Depends. The pads are simply that. A pad sticky on one side that slides into briefs as opposed to the full-up pull-up. I was concerned about the urgency problem at potentially inopportune moments so I have worn pads from time-to-time. Work fine for me and maybe for Allen once he gets to the point where that's all he would need. Wishing him - and YOU the best, Larry Hey Deb, I give you good prayers and vibes.The depends underwear are underpants like a diaper.With less flow we can switch to pads that have an adhesive strip that attaches to briefs.Take Care. Hello Deb, Sounds like you're preparing well. > I've bought pants that snap up the side (they are a little big, but I'm > hoping they will fit him with the "accessories" he'll be wearing). He'll want a loose fitting waistline until his stitches or staples are removed and the scar's sensitivity ebbs so you chose well. >He's > also consuming Ensure and I got some pull-up Depends (a purchase that > Allen had a little trouble coping with). I've heard some of you talk > about "pads" - are those something special for incontinence? I prefer "Man Pads". They're wider than pads made for women since a man's outlet seems to wander : ) I personally prefer the store brands over Depends because they're slightly wider. I also bought slightly undersized jockey shorts to hold them firmly in place. The only time I wear pull-up Depends is when I play golf; the extra capacity helps. Other than that I never wore full Depends for the first 6 weeks. Also Man Pads cost 1/3 of what a full Depends does. > I was thinking a 3-day hospital stay, although I've heard some of you talk > about more days. I think Allen's doctor said three days. He is having > the regular surgery - no orthroscopic (or however it is spelled). Allen > has previous surgeries that dictated the "full meal deal." I spent one night in the hospital. I arrived at 5:30 am, was operated on at 7:30 am and was in my room before noon. Since there were no surprises, I was happy to leave at 3:30pm the next day. Wouldn't have wanted it any other way : ) BTW, I had the regular RRP on 03/29/04. Was surprised to find they only made a 4" incision since I read everywhere to expect something more like 8". > I guess I'm beginning to get a bit nervous (okay, there is no "beginning" > about it). I hope the cancer is contained and that he joins the ranks of > 0.0 PSA or 0.1. You wouldn't be normal if you weren't at least a bit nervous. Just be glad to get the cancer out and get on the road to full recovery. If all goes wel l, he'll be grumbling more about the incontinence than the operation. I know I am. I'm at 4 months and still using 2 to 4 pads per day. That's down from 6 to 8 at the start so I'm making steady progress. Best of Luck! Don In article <99b762529bd5f43632ffa5bb4b70b9fa@localhost.talkaboutsupport.com>, > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Debbie If I remember they don't count the day of surgery. So if they said 3 days and the surgery was say on Monday, he'd get out sometime on Thursday. I might be wrong on that as my memory of the whole thing is getting kind of foggy. Don't worry much about the operation, it's not nearly as bad as one would think. It was my first and I came out of it in very good shape. Dale J.  SignatureEmail: dalej2@mac.com 3 days? I assume then that his surgery is RRP? The surgery and initial recuperation will go quickly. Waiting in the waiting room is the harder part. He'll be going up and down stairs withing a week. Then, before you know it, he'll be back at work. SignatureProstate Cancer Survivor (so far), not a doctor PSA 16 10/17/2000 @ 46 Biopsy 11/01/2000 G7 (3+4), T2c RRP 12/15/2000 PSA .1 .1 .1 .27 .37 .75 EBRT 05-07/2002 @ 47 PSA .34 .22 .15 .21 .32 Erection 05/12/2003 @ 48 HTbegins 07/21/2003 @ 48 PSA .07 .05 Lupron 7/03, 8/03, 12/03, 4/04 non illegitimi carborundum > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Debbie A little suggestion regarding the pull-ups and pads. Don't go out and buy a "boat-load" of 'em right now. My wife did (bless her pea pickin' li'l heart), and I still have 9/10's of a boat-load left. I was fortunate that the incontinence was not an issue for very long. As I remember..... About 4-5 "diapers" before I got fed up with them. (they were hot and uncomfortable) About 6-8 pads before they were being tossed out dry (these also were uncomfortable/irritating) Then I had my wife raid my daughter's supply of maxi and mini pads. More comfortable and less waste. I hope your husband is as fortunate as I. If so, you'll not need to waste a lot of money ahead of time. jh > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Debbie *Hello all, * *It's been a while since I've posted, but I've been monitoring the site and *take hope from others' experiences. Allen's surgery in on 8/18 - exactly *10 days away. It seems to be arriving so fast, although when we first got *the surgery date it seemed way too far away. * <snip> Here's my hope that the cancer is contained and recovery is uneventful. Best wishes to the both of you! Al Please be quiet if replying via email, flames will be deleted promptly. I won't even read the whole message... Debbie, Sneak off for the weekend and pretend you are 22 again! Got to make a few memories to tide you over the next few months until everything starts working again. I'm not joking - get out of the house. I don't think it matters if it is a tent or a five star hotel but get out of the house!! One, sex will bust some stress and two, alone and away without the daily interruptions and you'll find that you both will be able to talk. You've got to communicate about everything; fears, hopes, dreams, and what you really need from each other. Bev > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > > Debbie Women! That's all you think about. > Debbie, > Sneak off for the weekend and pretend you are 22 again! Which one??? Talking??? Or sex???? Or extreme makeover so we look 22 again???? LOL Bev > Women! That's all you think about. > > > Debbie, > > Sneak off for the weekend and pretend you are 22 again! Seeing as you are giving me a choice......I think I will take the extreme makeover (VBG)......however, talking is up there too. (snicker) Heather > Which one??? Talking??? Or sex???? Or extreme makeover so we look 22 > again???? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > > Debbie, > > > Sneak off for the weekend and pretend you are 22 again! Definitely extreme makeover!! Got to get rid of the stretch marks from two children, then a tummy tuck. (Ooops, I guess I had those scars and the tummy by age 22) Cleavage is nice but not when it extends past the belly button. And the doctor is going to have to find my face where it has collected under my chin and pull it back up where it belongs. And if I cover the silver what color should I dye my hair? Hmmmm, maybe Raggedy Ann red? That seems to be the "in" color these days but somehow I picture myself more with dark purple or I could try the platinum dumb blonde look. You know what? I think it is just too much hassle. I've earned these gray hairs, the stretch marks, and the crows feet. As the expression goes, I've traveled a lot of roads in my life and very few of them have been paved. And the only person I need to care about still seems to find me attractive so........... Besides I don't want to look like I'm out having dinner with my father. LOL Bev > Seeing as you are giving me a choice......I think I will take the extreme > makeover (VBG)......however, talking is up there too. (snicker) [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > > > Debbie, > > > > Sneak off for the weekend and pretend you are 22 again! > ... I've heard some of you talk > about "pads" - are those something special for incontinence? Not necessarily special - the regular women's variety is what a lot of guys use. I've been using the Always brand, they're more comfy than others I've tried. Even the Thin-Ultra's soak up plenty, but you'll have to wait and see after the catheter comes out. > I was thinking a 3-day hospital stay... I was in 3 days and it was just right. Here's hoping for a boring recovery! SignatureWake PSA 3.8, 11/2003 @58yrs Biopsy positive 5% in 1 of 10 cores T1c Gleason 3+3 RRP 1/12/04 Pathology agreed with biopsy + Negative margins PSA - 4/29/02: <0.1 Mostly Dry - July '04 |
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