Glad to hear it, dude.
The extra ys are warranted
Great to hear!
Excellent news, along with a reasonable testing regimen.
It’s nice when all the pain and trouble we go through work out, in a largely unjust and unfeeling universe!
Well, I have not commented in this thread since early on, but I have read thru it, and now I am ready to share that I have prostate cancer. MRI last fall - yes, there is something there. Okay, let’s do the biopsy (fusion biopsy using the MRI image), got that done right before Christmas - yes, the samples of the lesion turned-up positive. Gleason 4+3 - oh, shit, this is real now - urologist advises taking action (as opposed to continue to monitor), narrow choices down to radiation or surgery based on my age and physical condition. PET scan to ensure no other cancer - clear (whew). I choose surgery because, well, I want the cancer out of me. Initially scheduled for late May, but I got a call this week asking if I want to move up the surgery to… next week (!). I jump on it because that’s almost two months earlier than expected.
Anyway, I appreciate those who have commented on their experiences and decisions here. It is really helpful. I’ll report back.
Best of luck! Lots of people here who are pulling for you and are happy to share any experiences that might help you.
Good Luck, I seem to have come through it fine, later this month is my next PSA test.
No side effects except now I get up in the middle of the night to urinate every night. Used to be not every night.
The fatigue during the treatments and for about a month later sadly rolled into an extra cold fall and winter and my weight ballooned up. Now I have to deal with that.
I hope everything goes as well for you as it did for @What_Exit – which was a huge relief for all of us! Best of luck, and please do keep us posted as you’ve indicated you will.
Big hugs, too, if you want 'em. This kind of news is never easy to face, but it sounds like you’re doing it with grace and good common sense.
so glad they moved it up and you can get this done soonest - best to you!
Thank you! Honestly, I am a little scared of what’s ahead, but reading many of the comments here gives me some courage.
Only thing I can add to the excellent advice you’ve been given already is that you should plan on doing something enjoyable for yourself when you get your catheter removed (this assumes they “give” you a catheter, but I believe that’s still the case with surgery). While I can’t speak for anyone else, the ten days I had one felt like ten months, and getting it out felt something like being reborn.
In any case, while the usual appendages will be crossed in your behalf, I’m confident you’ll come through just fine (we did).
ETA: If you’re having robotic (DaVinci) surgery, expect to have a swollen face when you wake up. They stand the patient on his head so that gravity pulls the innards away from the site, which eliminates the need for retractors.
Surgery yesterday was successful and without complications according to the team - robotic all the way thru. It did take me longer than expected to emerge from the propofol nap - the recovery nurse had to keep waking me when I, ya know, stopped breathing. Gradually came out of the fog after a few hours (yes) - surgery was completed by 11am, and I was discharged after 3pm.
Some soreness as expected, and with pain management meds and some food I was able to sleep a few hours in a row last night, surprisingly. Catheter is annoying but I expected that, too. I am still amazed I went thru all that yesterday and was discharged the same day. Incredible to me - astonishing TBH.
Now comes recovery.
Anyway, just wanted to update the group here. We traveled to the SF Bay Area for this, so we’re checking out of the hotel after breakfast and heading home near Sacto later this morning. Thanks again to all that commented in this thread and for all the positive thoughts! And f*ck cancer!
Great news.
Hopefully the recovery is quick.
Hooray. Welcome back!
ooof! glad you came out of it OK - feel better soon!
Happy to hear the good update
Congrats, glad the surgery went well. Either you started really early, or things went quick with you. I was on the table for 4.5 hours.
I said this in the other thread - loose boxers are not your friend with a catheter. You want everything held in place.
Yeah, we had to be at the hospital at 5:15am, and after all the prep I was wheeled down the halls a little after 7am, pretty much on time. So I guess about 3.5 to 4 hours.
The soreness is kicking in today and the 2 hour drive home was not all that comfortable, but resting at home now with the pain meds is great, and I can pet my dog!
Yeah, that drive had to absolutely suck. But being home is so much better than lingering at the hospital (in general terms, I haven’t had any equivalent surgery TBC).
Did you set aside any treats, luxury indulgences, movies, etc. to reward yourself after the surgery and into recovery?
Yeah, I didn’t plan much since this opportunity came up suddenly - I wasn’t expecting to do all this until late May. The week prior I was running around getting paperwork in order (e.g. the insurance authorization for the surgery hadn’t gone thru yet and I had to ride herd on everyone, stuff with my job, etc.). I do need to set aside something - maybe pick out something to binge watch.
However, the last few days have been uncomfortable altho getting better. I think I may have over-medicated on the pain meds but that is under control now. After the cath comes out I hope to sleep better - I am a side sleeper and cannot get comfortable other than flat on my back, which is causing me to snore and gasp a little. I have tried a couple beds and chairs to sleep but none are great this way. Cath removal Wed or Thur this week, I was told. They gave me instructions to do it myself (!!) - I cannot remember - has anyone here done that?
Anyway, doin okay but still sore - it’s going to be a while until I feel healthy again. My wife is taking good care of me, too!