KRG,
It has been almost 4 years ago for me but boy do I remember how I felt a couple of days before surgery. I decided to go into pre-op with a relaxed, joking attitude.
I was waiting outside in the waiting room to be called with another couple who was scheduled to have his surgery right after me. When they called for me, I stood up and said, "Well, let's go kick some PCa a**!"
Then in pre-op, a Doctor checked my BP and said it was high. I said "Well, let's switch places and I bet it goes down".
It didn't help my anxiety much but it was a little better than worrying. By the way, you know what worrying is? It is like riding a rocking horse, it gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere.
Seriously, many have gone before you, everything will be fine. A year after surgery, I asked my doctor for a copy of the surgical report and he had one printed for me. It tells what they did, in order, while you were in la la land. Pretty interesting reading.
A couple of last tips. Get some comfortable pants to wear that aren't tight around the middle. You will have 5-7 new holes around your stomach that will make jeans and belts uncomfortable for a week or two. I bought some at Old Navy for $10 a pair. Also get a bag to put the catheter in when you walk. They will want you walking hours after surgery to prevent blood clots. My doctor gave me a canvas bag. I cut a slit in it on the side that will be next to your leg and slid the cath in the bag and walked carrying the cath in the bag. I used the large catheter all week, never using the leg catheter. You won't have to empty it as often.
Also, I bought some plastic hooks made by 3M to place in the shower
to hook the catheter on when I showered. These are the kind that can be removed very easily later without harming the tile. Worked great!
Good Luck and report back after surgery. We had one forum member a couple of years ago that actually posted on HW on his IPad from recovery. I waited until the next day myself.
See ya on the other side!
Bill from Florida
