I opened the letter from the incontinence specialist and read the prep
instructions.  I have to keep a "bladder diary" for 3-5 days before the
visit.  That includes measuring each void.  Apparently the pharmacy has a
device, a "urinary hat", that is for this purpose (ever heard of that Ron?).
Great fun.  They keep telling me here that the urine is sterile, so maybe
just rinsing the thing after each use will be okay, but do I carry this
thing in my pocket or what?
   Also, I am supposed to make a note each time I leak, to include an
estimate of the amount.  Not too sure how I do that.  Guess I need to pull
my pants down the next time and count the drops (that is a joke).
   But I saved the best for last.  Yes, I have to save the soiled pads, put
them in zip lock bags, and bring them in for the visit.  This is for one day
and one night before the visit.  What fun that will be.  When I was in a
study before the RRP I had to do 24 hour urines.  Every do that?  For 24
hours you have to pee in a bottle and keep it cool.  That meant a stryofoam
container with ice.  I carried the collection bottle in a bag everytime I
went to the bathroom at work.  I am sure people wondered what the hell I was
up to.  On the day of surgery my wife had to sit in the waiting room with
that grip until the study nurse showed up to claim her prize.  As I recall
it was a couple hours after we got there and she paged twice trying to find
her.  Oh what fun we have in the prostate world.
   They are going to do a cysto on the day of the specialist's visit.  Also
a "urodynamics" test.  Anyone know what that is?  I wonder if I should be
doing some training for that one.  Be sure to wear clean underwear that day
David.  Also bring a clean pad because they are going to take mine.  Heaven
help me.  The clamp would have been so much easier.
   Thank you for the ear (eye to be more precise, although from what I see
in the magazines the other is coming soon).
David S.