This is part 2 in a series of articles dealing with prostate cancer and my first-hand experiences with receiving the diagnosis, pre-operative activities, the day of the surgery, and the post-operative recovery process.
I want others who have to deal with the reality of prostate cancer and ultimately prostate removal to understand what it entails. Hopefully these articles will make it easier and less mysterious to others who have to go through it.
Two weeks from this upcoming Wednesday I’ll be leaving the hospital after a one night stay following my Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy surgery. Obviously I’m a bit nervous about my upcoming surgery but I know I have a great doctor as my brother had his prostate removed roughly 5 months ago by the same surgeon. So it appears that I am in good hands. Awaiting prostate cancer surgery is scary but I know I have the right doctor.
I am also very confident in the people that he has working in his office as one woman in particular sent me some paperwork detailing my appointments the day before surgery and what will transpire on surgery day. I will be staying one night in the hospital and will return home with a catheter in place the day after surgery.
My wife and I plan on staying in a hotel for a couple of nights before surgery day since the day before surgery I have an appointment with a physical therapist to learn kegel exercises. These are exercises that will help with incontinence issues that could arise following the surgery. I also have a meeting in the afternoon of that day with my doctor where I will hopefully be cleared for surgery the following morning.
On the morning of the surgery I have to arrive at the hospital at 6:00 AM and I am scheduled for surgery at 7:30 AM. I’ve been told that surgery will last about 3 hours and I, of course, will be under anesthesia during the whole procedure. When I come out of surgery I will have a catheter in place which will stay there for a week. A week after surgery I am schedule to go back to my doctor where the catheter will be removed.
So, surgery day is coming soon. I am a little nervous about the whole process but I am comfortable all will go well. Last Thursday I met with my HR department to sign paperwork for short-term disability. Any time after 5 sick days at my work I’m required to file for short-term disability. I will only need about 4 days of short-term disability before I can start working on my computer at home. On Friday I called Liberty Mutual to place a claim for the short-term disability to ensure that everything is set up properly.
Since I work about 160 miles from home, my doctor advised me to not take that drive for roughly 4 weeks after surgery. So I’ll be recovering for about 9 days and after that I will work from home for 2 weeks. After that I should be able to drive back down to work. I drive down on Tuesday mornings and return on Thursday after work so I don’t make that commute on multiple days.
Anyway, the next time I write it could be the night before the surgery if I have the time to do so. Awaiting prostate cancer surgery is a little daunting to me and I’m a little worried about it! Till next time!
Feel free to leave any questions or comments in the comment section below or contact me via my Contact Me page. I’d love to hear from anyone who has any questions or concerns. I know it’s a big deal and I’ve been where you are so please feel free to lean on me for any questions you may have.
Don’t miss part 1 in the series – Prostate Cancer – Dealing with the Diagnosis.
Here is a great resource and forum for anyone who wants any question answered about Prostate Cancer.
