I'm back from the robot attack.

Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
is way less than I thought it would be.

Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. Finding a good sleeping
position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.

Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
stomach.

They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
cranberry juice color).

UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.

Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
off of my mind.

Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. That's starting to come
off.

I'm in good spirits. They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
make sure there were no positive margins.

Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.

Sounds like "So far, so good." Keep up the good work!

I was amazed at the lack of pain after my encounter with the robot at Henry
Ford in Detroit. I hope you have a similar experience. In an earlier note,
you seemed concerned about how long the surgery would take. How long were
you under? Mine lasted 4 1/4 hours but the surgeon had a little difficulty
putting me back together because of my belly and narrow pelvis. He said I
made him wish he had studied accounting instead of medicine. Everything is
working well, so I'm happy with that.

Let us know how the post-op biopsy goes and good luck!

Jim
"Dwight" <nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
> Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
> is way less than I thought it would be.
>
> Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. Finding a good sleeping
> position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
> has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.
>
> Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
> stomach.
>
> They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
> was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
> cranberry juice color).
>
> UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.
>
> Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
> for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
> off of my mind.
>
> Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. That's starting to come
> off.
>
> I'm in good spirits. They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
> make sure there were no positive margins.
>
> Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
> Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.

Excellent report.

Gourd Dancer

"Jim" <jdhand@chartermi.net> wrote in message
news:FSnXj.30$705.17@newsfe07.lga...
> Sounds like "So far, so good." Keep up the good work!
>
> I was amazed at the lack of pain after my encounter with the robot at
> Henry Ford in Detroit. I hope you have a similar experience. In an
> earlier note, you seemed concerned about how long the surgery would take.
> How long were you under? Mine lasted 4 1/4 hours but the surgeon had a
> little difficulty putting me back together because of my belly and narrow
> pelvis. He said I made him wish he had studied accounting instead of
> medicine. Everything is working well, so I'm happy with that.
>
> Let us know how the post-op biopsy goes and good luck!
>
> Jim
> "Dwight" <nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
>> Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
>> is way less than I thought it would be.
>>
>> Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. Finding a good sleeping
>> position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
>> has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.
>>
>> Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
>> stomach.
>>
>> They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
>> was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
>> cranberry juice color).
>>
>> UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.
>>
>> Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
>> for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
>> off of my mind.
>>
>> Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. That's starting to come
>> off.
>>
>> I'm in good spirits. They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
>> make sure there were no positive margins.
>>
>> Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
>> Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.
>
>

Congrats on your recovery and everything going well. I'm a bit
confused though on the gas thing,
>
> Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. * I think I passed gas
> for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
> off of my mind.
>

Where exactly do you store your gas so that its passing offers relief
to your mind?
:>)

Dave Perry

Hi Dwight....
Get a recliner.......really....
It is much more comfortable....
Good for you!
Get up and walk.......
congradualtions on your arrival home........
(an official member of a group that no one wants to be in)
jloomis
"Dwight" <nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
> Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
> is way less than I thought it would be.
>
> Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. Finding a good sleeping
> position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
> has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.
>
> Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
> stomach.
>
> They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
> was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
> cranberry juice color).
>
> UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.
>
> Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
> for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
> off of my mind.
>
> Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. That's starting to come
> off.
>
> I'm in good spirits. They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
> make sure there were no positive margins.
>
> Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
> Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.

On May 16, 3:56*pm, djperr...@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Congrats on your recovery and everything going well. *I'm a bit
> confused though on the gas thing,
>
>
>
> > Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. * I think I passed gas
> > for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
> > off of my mind.
>
> Where exactly do you store your gas so that its passing offers relief
> to your mind?
> :>)
>
> Dave Perry

Why, near where I tend to do my thinking, silly.

On May 16, 6:33*pm, "jloomis" <jloo...@ocean.net> wrote:
> Hi Dwight....
> Get a recliner.......really....
> It is much more comfortable....
> Good for you!
> Get up and walk.......
> congradualtions on your arrival home........
> (an official member of a group that no one wants to be in)
> jloomis"Dwight" <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote in message

I don't have the room at home for one, nor the bucks either right
now.

djperry42@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Congrats on your recovery and everything going well. I'm a bit
> confused though on the gas thing,
>> Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
>> for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
>> off of my mind.
>>
>
> Where exactly do you store your gas so that its passing offers relief
> to your mind?

Rhetorical question, I know, but you store it ANYPLACE other than in
your gut. I had my RRP the old fashioned way with an excellent surgeon
and about the only really serious pain I had was before I knocked down
the wall in my private room with a gas bomb that would have violated the
Geneva Convention if they'd found out about. I swear that I saw God as
I was trumpeting but man o man did that ever feel good. Didn't it guys?<g>

Congrats on the apparently successful outcome, Dwight! The best is yet
to come. You can sit there and laugh at the television commercials for
BPH while you eat dinner<g>

Glad to see they didn't remove your sense of humour either......one can
assume it is somewhere near where you do your thinking, LOL.

Glad to see you came thru this so well. Attitude is
*everything*.....and yours is just super!! Goodonya, mate.

Cheers from the Great White North......Heather (and Ron)

"Dwight" <nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:b5e54aa8-3df8-4bea-bbae-222b92f9c1b6@p39g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
On May 16, 3:56 pm, djperr...@sbcglobal.net wrote:
> Congrats on your recovery and everything going well. I'm a bit
> confused though on the gas thing,
>
>
>
> > Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
> > for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
> > off of my mind.
>
> Where exactly do you store your gas so that its passing offers relief
> to your mind?
> :>)
>
> Dave Perry

Why, near where I tend to do my thinking, silly.

On Fri, 16 May 2008 12:59:52 -0700 (PDT), Dwight
<nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote:

>Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
>is way less than I thought it would be.
>
>Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. Finding a good sleeping
>position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
>has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.
>
>Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
>stomach.
>
>They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
>was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
>cranberry juice color).
>
>UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.
>
>Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. I think I passed gas
>for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
>off of my mind.
>
>Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. That's starting to come
>off.
>
>I'm in good spirits. They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
>make sure there were no positive margins.
>
>Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
>Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.

That would be the Jackson Pratt drain. What's another scar though in
the over all scheme of things. Glad the cath doesn't bother you, as I
hated that that damn tube.

Question, are you walking? I had to walk one mile at 5AM the following
morning of my operation and 3 miles every day thereafter.

Congrats on getting through the surgery.

--
PSA @ 45 yrs. = 4.7 02/06/2007
Biopsy 03/16/2007 G7(3+4),T1c
RLRP 06/12/2007 G7(3+4),T2cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA 07/16/2007 = <0.1
PSA 09/12/2007 = <0.1
PSA 12/18/2007 = <0.1
PSA 03/12/2008 = <0.1

On May 17, 4:45*am, Paul wrote:
> On Fri, 16 May 2008 12:59:52 -0700 (PDT), Dwight
>
>
>
> <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. *Actually I'm not that bad. *Pain
> >is way less than I thought it would be.
>
> >Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. *Finding a good sleeping
> >position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
> >has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.
>
> >Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
> >stomach.
>
> >They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
> >was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
> >cranberry juice color).
>
> >UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.
>
> >Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. * I think I passed gas
> >for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
> >off of my mind.
>
> >Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. *That's starting to come
> >off.
>
> >I'm in good spirits. *They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
> >make sure there were no positive margins.
>
> >Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
> >Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.
>
> That would be the Jackson Pratt drain. What's another scar though in
> the over all scheme of things. Glad the cath doesn't bother you, as I
> hated that that damn tube.
>
> Question, are you walking? I had to walk one mile at 5AM the following
> morning of my operation and 3 miles every day thereafter.
>

good lard, am I supposed to be walking that much? I'm walking around
the house, but nothing extended, though I wouldn't mind going for a
jaunt. I was walking quite a bit in the hospital on the morning after
surgery, but not sure it was a mile.

On May 17, 4:45*am, Paul wrote:
>
> >Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
> >Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.
>
> That would be the Jackson Pratt drain. What's another scar though in

At one point in the hospital, I felt a pain in my side where the drain
was, then noticed that my girlfriend had sat on the drain bulb, which
was hidden under my gown. I don't think she necessarily "pumped me
up", but I'm pretty sure the flow reversed for a bit there. After
that I pulled the bulb out to where we could both see it, and avoid
it.

Told the nurse about it when he came in and he said "Well, I bet
that's the last time THAT will happen!". Heeee-yup.

Boy, when they removed thing, just whipped it out, that was an odd
feeling. My stomach muscles tensed reflexively, probably making it
worse too. I"m glad the damned thing is gone.

On Sat, 17 May 2008 04:54:18 -0700 (PDT), Dwight
<nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote:

I know we're all different and our bodies respond differently. They
say walk a lot, but I walked too much. The result was swelling in the
area of the surgery and everything hanging down from there! NO GOOD!
I had to back off on the walking to let the swelling go down. The
advise I got when I went in to let the doc check the swelling was take
short, easy walks frequently, but no long or strenuous walks - avoid
hills.

Keep it up. You're doing fine!

Burney

>
>good lard, am I supposed to be walking that much? I'm walking around
>the house, but nothing extended, though I wouldn't mind going for a
>jaunt. I was walking quite a bit in the hospital on the morning after
>surgery, but not sure it was a mile.
RP in 1995 (age 52)
RT in 2000
ADT (Casodex) 10/06 - 8/07
Latest PSA - 0.23

On Sat, 17 May 2008 07:45:06 -0400, Paul wrote:

snip.....

>Question, are you walking? I had to walk one mile at 5AM the following
>morning of my operation and 3 miles every day thereafter.


Wow! 3 miles a day...
I had standard surgery and when got back home some 5 days later any
effort would make me feel VERY tired. I am sure I could not walk even
a mile. At that time I managed to walk only pretty small distances in
and around the house.

Just

Jim wrote:
> Sounds like "So far, so good." Keep up the good work!
>
> I was amazed at the lack of pain after my encounter with the robot at Henry
> Ford in Detroit. I hope you have a similar experience. In an earlier note,
> you seemed concerned about how long the surgery would take. How long were
> you under?

I THINK it was 4 hours. I remember waking up in recovery at 7pm, and
was wheeled into the operating room at 2:30pm. I think right about
the time I was feeling around to see if I had a catheter in, my
girlfriend was at my side telling me everything went well.

"Dwight" <nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...

> Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
> is way less than I thought it would be.
>
> Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so.

It gets almost comical reading these words almost every time someone comes
back from surgery.

And, you words after losing the bag will be, "Thank God the bag is gone!"

Steve Kramer wrote:
>
> "Thank God the bag is gone!"

HEY ... NO POLITICS ALLOWED!!!

I.P.

On May 17, 2:33*pm, "Steve Kramer" <skra...@cinci.rr.com> wrote:
> "Dwight" <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. *Actually I'm not that bad. *Pain
> > is way less than I thought it would be.
>
> > Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so.
>
> It gets almost comical reading these words almost every time someone comes
> back from surgery.
>
> And, you words after losing the bag will be, "Thank God the bag is gone!"

And I just got past "THE DREADED BOWEL MOVEMENT". Thank god for stool
softeners.

Of course I spent a few hours thinking "Why am I hurting THERE?"

"Steve Kramer" <skramer@cinci.rr.com> wrote in message
news:482f4f33$0$5093$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> "Dwight" <nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
>
>> Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. Actually I'm not that bad. Pain
>> is way less than I thought it would be.
>>
>> Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so.
>
> It gets almost comical reading these words almost every time someone comes
> back from surgery.
>
> And, you words after losing the bag will be, "Thank God the bag is gone!"
>

Contrarian view. While I was on the catheter, I didnt have to get up once
during the night to go to the john. The bliss of an all-night sleep.

"I.P. Freely" <fuhgheddaboutit@noway.nohow> wrote in message
news:8KIXj.36$3P5.10@newsfe06.lga...
> Steve Kramer wrote:
>>
>> "Thank God the bag is gone!"
>
> HEY ... NO POLITICS ALLOWED!!!
>
> I.P.

Ooops. I was going to correct you, but I just got it.

Good one!

On May 16, 3:59*pm, Dwight <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. *Actually I'm not that bad. *Pain
> is way less than I thought it would be.

Glad to hear it Dwight!

John

On May 17, 5:33*pm, "Steve Kramer" <skra...@cinci.rr.com> wrote:
> "Dwight" <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>
> news:e37708b7-35b7-4849-85fd-cdf9a726c0e1@n1g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
>
> > Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. *Actually I'm not that bad. *Pain
> > is way less than I thought it would be.
>
> > Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so.
>
> It gets almost comical reading these words almost every time someone comes
> back from surgery.
>
> And, you words after losing the bag will be, "Thank God the bag is gone!"

I had a mild heart attack last year and underwend 3 Angiograms. They
hook you up to saline and you can't move for 5-6 hours after the
procedure.

The first two times, I had to be catheterized and I believe this was
the worst part of the whole experience. Thing is...I just can't piss
lying down. The second time, I tried to tough it out, but the nurse
said in about 10 minutes, I'd be begging to be cath'd. She was
right...over a litre later it did feel much better.

The third time, I managed to stick it out for the whole 6 hours, got
up and went to the bathroom under my own steam. That had to be the
most satisfying leak I ever took in my life. Pure bliss. I sincerely
hope I never have to have another one of those bastards.

John

On Sat, 17 May 2008 05:00:21 -0700 (PDT), Dwight
<nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On May 17, 4:45*am, Paul wrote:
>>
>> >Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
>> >Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.
>>
>> That would be the Jackson Pratt drain. What's another scar though in
>
>At one point in the hospital, I felt a pain in my side where the drain
>was, then noticed that my girlfriend had sat on the drain bulb, which
>was hidden under my gown. I don't think she necessarily "pumped me
>up", but I'm pretty sure the flow reversed for a bit there. After
>that I pulled the bulb out to where we could both see it, and avoid
>it.

Nothing like the Hanz and Franz treatment after having your walnut cut
out.

>
>Told the nurse about it when he came in and he said "Well, I bet
>that's the last time THAT will happen!". Heeee-yup.
>
>Boy, when they removed thing, just whipped it out, that was an odd
>feeling. My stomach muscles tensed reflexively, probably making it
>worse too. I"m glad the damned thing is gone.

I agree that was weird when they yanked it. I bleed for a little bit
out of there but nothing substantial considering the size of the hole
it left.

--
PSA @ 45 yrs. = 4.7 02/06/2007
Biopsy 03/16/2007 G7(3+4),T1c
RLRP 06/12/2007 G7(3+4),T2cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA 07/16/2007 = <0.1
PSA 09/12/2007 = <0.1
PSA 12/18/2007 = <0.1
PSA 03/12/2008 = <0.1

On Sat, 17 May 2008 20:17:04 +0100, Just <here@there.there.there.com>
wrote:

>On Sat, 17 May 2008 07:45:06 -0400, Paul wrote:
>
>snip.....
>
>>Question, are you walking? I had to walk one mile at 5AM the following
>>morning of my operation and 3 miles every day thereafter.
>
>
>Wow! 3 miles a day...
> I had standard surgery and when got back home some 5 days later any
>effort would make me feel VERY tired. I am sure I could not walk even
>a mile. At that time I managed to walk only pretty small distances in
>and around the house.
>
>Just

All I can say is that I was very happy that last June was relatively
cool without that damned humidity. That would've been unbearable.

--
PSA @ 45 yrs. = 4.7 02/06/2007
Biopsy 03/16/2007 G7(3+4),T1c
RLRP 06/12/2007 G7(3+4),T2cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA 07/16/2007 = <0.1
PSA 09/12/2007 = <0.1
PSA 12/18/2007 = <0.1
PSA 03/12/2008 = <0.1

On Sat, 17 May 2008 04:54:18 -0700 (PDT), Dwight
<nodamnspamok@yahoo.com> wrote:

>On May 17, 4:45*am, Paul wrote:
>> On Fri, 16 May 2008 12:59:52 -0700 (PDT), Dwight
>>
>>
>>
>> <nodamnspa...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>> >Feeling like an ad for a Vegamatic. *Actually I'm not that bad. *Pain
>> >is way less than I thought it would be.
>>
>> >Urine bag is annoying, not tremendously so. *Finding a good sleeping
>> >position that can drain the catheter and accommodate my sleep apnea
>> >has been a little chore, but I think I've got it worked out.
>>
>> >Lying down is sometimes problematic, trying to keep any stress off my
>> >stomach.
>>
>> >They said the operation went well, went back together well, my urine
>> >was clear within a few hours (or rather apple juice color, not
>> >cranberry juice color).
>>
>> >UCSF might be poorly organized, but the people sure are nice.
>>
>> >Right now my greatest pleasure is passing gas. * I think I passed gas
>> >for maybe 15 seconds at one time last night, which took a great load
>> >off of my mind.
>>
>> >Gained about 12 lbs in water/saline weight. *That's starting to come
>> >off.
>>
>> >I'm in good spirits. *They still have to biopsy the nodes and gland to
>> >make sure there were no positive margins.
>>
>> >Had a drain in my side after surgery that kept producing Hawaiin
>> >Punch, but it just didn't taste the same.
>>
>> That would be the Jackson Pratt drain. What's another scar though in
>> the over all scheme of things. Glad the cath doesn't bother you, as I
>> hated that that damn tube.
>>
>> Question, are you walking? I had to walk one mile at 5AM the following
>> morning of my operation and 3 miles every day thereafter.
>>
>
>good lard, am I supposed to be walking that much? I'm walking around
>the house, but nothing extended, though I wouldn't mind going for a
>jaunt. I was walking quite a bit in the hospital on the morning after
>surgery, but not sure it was a mile.

My physician was big on the walking, stating that it absolutely helped
with recovery and I agree that it helped me. That said every Doc and
patient varies in theory.

--
PSA @ 45 yrs. = 4.7 02/06/2007
Biopsy 03/16/2007 G7(3+4),T1c
RLRP 06/12/2007 G7(3+4),T2cN0M0 Neg margins
PSA 07/16/2007 = <0.1
PSA 09/12/2007 = <0.1
PSA 12/18/2007 = <0.1
PSA 03/12/2008 = <0.1