Crunch Time

Two weeks until my RALP and I feel like I'm trying to cram a month's worth of work and activities with the family into 13 days. Looking at my schedule for the next few weeks, I'll be glad for some down time, post surgery.

My co-workers, knowing they are about to lose me for several weeks, have installed a revolving door to my office for their various requests.

I can only do what I can do, of course, but the added stress of limited time is unwelcome.

I did manage to get away last weekend, and as of right now, this coming weekend I have very little scheduled, but every other day between now until the day before the surgery is crammed to the rafters.

Anyone have tips for stress reduction on very limited time? Removing anything from my schedule is really not an option at this point.

Thanks, Clocknut. Yes. This whole thing has caused some soul searching at my company. I am the lone IT person handling all system and software needs for a 25 person business service company. I have been here, solo, going on 20 years.

Most of the time, I can step away from this place for several weeks, and if something "breaks" I can typically fix it remotely, if needed, and I have had to do so on occasion.

After I was diagnosed, we had some conversations about how vulnerable we were, relying so heavily on me. We've taken steps to ensure that we have some sort of emergency support, should I truly be unavailable, but that does nothing to correct the fact that I am the only person that truly understands how our systems work. I don't see any way of solving those issues before my surgery.

Well bear in mind that you'll only be completely "out of the loop" for a few days. Once you get home for a few days, you might even welcome a call from the office, 'cause it's going to get a bit boring. And, it's quite likely you'll be able to return to your IT job in just a few weeks.

I was 65 years old and had retired, but I could have gone back to work two weeks after the surgery, and actually went out to breakfast on the 4th day after the operation.

I'm betting you'll be surprised how quickly you're ready to get back at it.

That brightened my day considerably, Andrew.

I especially like: "What would you do if I wasn't here? Please go do that now."

I'm going to start that immediately.

Eric, I get that you feel you have no choice, it's natural. But seriously, these next few weeks should be about you. Nothing should come before you. Your bosses, partners coworkers should just be made understand that it's the way it is, without a lot of discussion. This is one of the few times in your life when it's ok to be selfish and self centered. Your life has changed. But you'll have plenty of time when this is over to get back to taking care of others needs and wants.
For now just take care of yourself and your family. Don't cheat yourself out of some peace these next two weeks.

Good luck, man, keep us posted.

Having had open RP on December 1, 2014, I feel your frustration. In my case we had remodeled one house, sold our primary residence and moved into the remodeled one and then I had the surgery. The #@$$ contractor screwed around and we didn't get the final building permit signoff until 11/20/14, so I had a ton of stuff that I had to get done before the surgery, which the contractor was not responsible for. Things like organizing closets and the garage that I wouldn't be physically able to do after surgery (due to a forecast large rain storm I couldn't leave boxes outside) and my wife could not address by herself.
My suggestion is that, if you do not already have ED and are married or have a girl friend, spend as much time in bed, bathroom --or where ever you can :>) - as long as you can. You cannot make up for that after the surgery and will want to go out with a bang, if possible!!

I had the @#$$ catheter for 12 days, developed a monster urinary infection, that my surgeon thought was "bladder spasms" when it wasn't. The movement of the catheter was god-awful painful after about 5 days. After the catheter was removed, my flow was good for a day (and good control) but then the pain came back from scaring in the urethra. My GP gave me Rx for Pyridium, which was a godsend and reduced the pain. I was on the pyridium for 2 weeks before the pain became manageable.

I knew going in about the total ED. However, the psychological impact of waking up in the mornings after the catheter was removed was HUGE when it finally sunk in.

Now every time I see the Victoria Secret ads or sex scenes on TV I get depressed... I can have an orgasm, but no erections outside of VED yet. All of the literature spouts off about men still having orgasms. If my experience is anything close to normal, that is like telling a man who drives a Porsche or Corvette that he can still drive, but giving him a golf cart. Moral of story - use it until you lose it!!

I am sure that the surgery will go great, and you will have plenty of time to address all of the company's IT crises after you get off of pain killers post surgery.