Pre-op Completed

Went through my pre-op procedures this morning.  Took 1 1/2 hours, they were very thorough this time around.  Had a new EKG and Lung X-ray, both came back squeaky clean, 3 vials of blood, and a whole bunch of questions and answers.  Due to the amount of pain meds I am on, they had to give me a special schedule to follow the 24 hours before surgery.  The nurse said that if it weren't for all the cancers I've had and the damage that being treated for cancer, I was a perfect specimen, espcially for someone about to turn 60.

They decided to do the surgery at the main hospital, vs. the outpatient facility, my uro/surgeon likes to make sure he has everything he needs, for any kind of contingency.  Nurse said that it won't be easy for him to get through to the bladder at this point (with the bypass in place), and should expect, depending on how many samples he takes to biopsy, that will probably have some pain for 3-4 days.

So, unless something comes back unexpected, going to have the exploratory surgery on Tuesday, July 10th at 9:30 in the morning.  Will still, unfortunately, need a foley catheter in place for at least 3 days, to as much as a week.  This will make number 22.  Hard to believe.  Thought with the by-pass, my cath days were over with for life.

The best I can hope for, is that the surgeon can make it into the bladder, get his samples, and they come back negative.  Worse case, is that he can't safely complete the surgery, then we will be back to square one, and any other attempt to get into the bladder would involve open surgery, which I would not like to have to deal with.

David

I am hoping that everything works out and the procedure goes smoothly. Well as smoothly as you get with a surgeon poking sharp things at your body.

All the best for a good result.

Andrew

David,

I will be thinking of you and hoping for the absolute best result possible.
Kathy

David, you're in my mind. Hope everything turns out better than you expect.
Best of uck.
Mag

kerry, i told the pre-op nurse, at least they won't have to prescirbe any pain meds after this, because i am already on everything that would normally prescribe. my wife is going to take an extra day off, so that the first 24 hours, i can just stay off my feet

and to the others, thanks for your care, concern, and yes, prayers. this will be my uro/surgeon's 9th time inside me, i feel he knows what it looks like better than anyone else alive. have total confidence that he will do the very best he can, and if he's forced to abort, then it will be for good reasons.

not at all nervous about this, i know this must be done, because if there is any evidence of bladder cancer, i need to know about it, and start to stratagize how to best attack it. i would only be worried, if there is reason to have another major open surgery in that area, i.e.., if extensive cancer is found, or if the surgeon can't get access to the bladder in this manner. i have had 3 major open surgeries, that last one for the bladder by-pass about did me in, couldnt handle the though of having another surgery of that magnitude or greater looming. hoping for an all clear signal, have enough to worry about.

thanks, pro. enough is enough, lol.

David,

I'm sincerely wishing the best outcome for you.

Take care,

Barry

David,

Best of luck. You deserve a break! I'll be thinking of you. Best of luck!

David,
I love the fact that you are not nervous. Worrying is such a wasted emotion and takes up so much of our strenght. We know this is not in our hands anyway. May you be blessed with all positive results. I'm counting on it.

God bless!

Zimac

Don't you love it? If it weren't for the cancer and the damage done to you treating it, you a perfect specimen for your age!

Purg, best of luck to you. I hope they are able to see what they need to and like what they see.

thanks gleason, its a lot of trouble and expense to go through, but my doctors and I need to know if there is anything going on. i am increasingly concerned about the frequency of bladder spasms and the rising pain levels. something is going on in that bladder of mine, and it shouldn't, since its disconnected and nothing can enter or exit on its on, unless its bleeding from the inside and has no way to escape.

thanks nellie, i get busy in spurts, and rest a lot in between, lol. plus i know how to type fast, which helps when in a group like this.

David, good luck and I hope you get some good news for a change!

Jim

We'll all be thinking of you and pulling for you next Tuesday, David!

Juliet