I just got home from my RLRP and I'm resting comfortably. I thought
this would be a good time to share my experiences with others who are
still considering the various treatment options.

I checked into the hospital Tuesday morning and was wheeled to the
operating room at 7:30 a.m. The anesthesiologist said he was going to
give me something to help me relax and as he did I closed my eyes.
When I opened my eyes I was in the recovery room 4 hours later. My
throat was irritated, and my abdomen was (and still is) quite bloated.
I was uncomfortable but not in a lot of pain. I don't do well with
general anesthesia and had the dry heaves for several hours. Once I
did start to feel some pain it was quickly alleviated with a cocktail
of Morphine and Toradol.

My wife was staying in the on-campus housing but they offered to let
her sleep on a cot in my room. Since I had a private room with a
million dollar view (looking over the city of Honolulu and out across
the Pacific) she decided to give it a try. That only lasted one night
before she got tired of them waking me (and her) all night long and
went back to the apartment. I must say that sleep was a much needed
but very limited commodity during my stay.

I flew home the evening of the second day after my surgery and have
been resting comfortably ever since. I will be tied to my catheter for
a total of 14 days and will probably not return to work until it has
been removed.

I don't have good medical coverage so I had to pay almost $7K to be
released from the hospital. I'm not complaining though, that's a small
price to pay for a second chance at life. I am now up walking around
to help speed my recovery, and I plan to lose some weight and get in
better shape as time goes on.

I received my pathology results this morning. The report showed two
cancerous tumors (Gleason 3+3=6) and numerous pre cancerous cells that
did not penetrate the capsule. My surgeon feels that I am now cancer
free! While only time will tell for sure, I am extremely happy with my
decision to have the RLRP and I'm looking forward to the future!

Wishing you all much health, happiness and Aloha!

Mike

Diagnosed PCa Nov 2006 at age 55
PSA 13.8  Gleason 3+3=6  T1c
Asymptomatic  No Incontinence/ED
da Vinci RLRP Feb 20 2007
Cancer confined to the capsule
Gleason 3+3=6  Both nerves spared
Post Op PSA.....