I just wanted to  let you know what has gone on since my first post, I
believe in the late fall. Larry had a Gleason scale of 3+3= 6 determined by
the 2nd biopsy.  Cancer on a microscopic level. He also had a history of
rising psa's. Larry is a young and healthy 58 year guy. Several urologists
mentioned if he was a man of 70 they would never suggest  surgery but yes
for a younger healthy man.

He went  to several md's for consults re surgery ( robotics, radiation
etc. ) and made a final decision he wanted robotics. Unfortunately  could
not tell the family because one of our daughter's was getting married and
who normally is a very anxious and emotional gal, and does not handle stress
well;  he decided to tell her right after her wedding about this March
surgery.

We chose DR Wagner ( Hartford Hospital- CT ) who worked at one time with Dr
Samadi in NYC.   Dr Wagner does 2 to 3 robotics daily at Hartford, 2 to 3
times a week. He has a great surgical team and the nursing care was great at
the hospital.We were also given over 100 email address of his former
patients and we contacted about 50, heard from about 30. We had asked about
his references etc. When we met this MD, he was  a very dynamic , positive ,
truthful and passionate  person and we felt very comfortable in our choice.

Larry came on a Monday for pre admission stuff. We stayed at a Hudson Suites
located across from the hospital which was a one time nursing student
center. He had surgery at 7;30 am the next day but we needed to be there
5:30 am. His surgery right on time- took 2 1/2 hours. He was in the recovery
room several hours before coming to the floor. He had 2 drains on each side
of the bladder, a large dressing over 3 incision sites and of course a Foley
( urine ) catheter and iv.

Each person is different after surgery.Larry was pale and feeling rotten
from the anesthesia and so much better the next day. He remained on clear
liquids and the 2nd day his iv's removed  since he was drinking well, pain
controlled  with first iv dilaudid and then oral Percocet- and passing gas
( rectal ). I took him home late Wednesday. He will have the catheter in for
13 days before removal at dr Wagner's office.. He still has pain and each
day that should be diminished. The drains were removed the 2nd day  at the
hospital as well as the large dressing where he now has only some steri
strips over the incision and  two little dressing over the drain sites.

He was told to walk as much as he can when home and the pain will actually
come from the movement of gas in his intestines pushing on the surgical site
and some tenderness and swelling is normal.  Shower in 2 days and sponge
bathe  until then. Diet as tolerated but advised to stay away from spicy
foods, heavy meats and maintain easy digestible carbs until he feels well
enough to increase his diet. He was taught about switching to a leg bag if
he did not want to have the Foley bag all time.

In the hospital, we were visited by each member of the surgical teams ( all
md's ) who were caring and answered all our questions.We were very
impressed. Dr Wagner told us Larry's surgery went smoothly and routinely and
as far as he could tell, no damage to his nerves and a full recovery should
be expected. However again each person is different with the healing process
and how each disease process is.  The gland was routinely sent for biopsy .

I'll let you know how the recovery stage goes with an update . Hubby is a
pain in the a.s when sick, but I am used to this. :)

Feel free to email if any questions.

Joan