Lotsahope said...
Highlander. You mentioned "urinating like a firehouse". Like you, I am very happy having chosen surgery. I like the old fashioned "Gold Standard". I'm 2 weeks post op and leaking, which I expected. How long after your surgery were you able to let loose like the firehouse?
Hi,
I kind of get a kick when people mention Dr Walsh and others who refer to surgery as the "gold standard." My theory is that they probably have higher credentials on the topic than I do -- or anyone else in this forum -- and I would respect their comments (those of the true professionals in the field).
With that being said -- and obviously being kind of a "surgery guy," I NEVER post any comments to a newly diagnosed patient about
surgery without also advising them to visit a radiation oncologist also. I recommend that they step clear of the pissing contest between the rad and surg teams -- and learn the pros and cons of BOTH forms of treatment.
In other words, do not take our words for it. We are all, respectfully speaking, uneducated in the medical field and new patients need to find for themselves what makes them feel most comfortable and most confident. THEN they can freely make their own decision on which way to go.
Perhaps in the not-to-distant future we'll have more refined diagnosis techniques that will give more accurate ideas of which treatment is best in each individual case.
Getting back to the pi$$ing contest, I'm reminded of the question you asked me. How long after surgery did I begin competing with firehoses?
That brings up an easy answer combined with a pretty funny story. The short answer is that I was a real firehose an hour after my catheter was removed. Here's how I found out.....
My Mother accompanied me to Mayo Clinic for the surgery since I am not married. After my catheter was removed (completely painless, thank God), I was instructed to stick around the clinic and spend the next two hours drinking beverages and then trying out my newly arranged plumbing.
So, not long after I started drinking lots of water, etc., my Mother and I went to the clinic's bottom level to the cafeteria to have breakfast. No sooner did we sit down to eat that "Mother Nature" informed me that my first test was urgently waiting for my attention.
So I excused myself and nervously went into a restroom and stood inside one of the stalls. I was used to using stalls, instead of urinals, since the hard to start/fine spray/stopping & starting I was accustomed to was more appropriate for the toilet then standing in front of a urinal.
So I prepared myself for any burning senstions that I had heard about
and stood directly over the toilet (since I was pre-conditioned to dribble down to the water below).
Suddenly, the first urine without assistence of the catheter arrived -- and promptly shot over the toliet and into the wall beyond it. I had to almost tapdance several steps backward to try and angle the stream to hit the toilet. And, what had been taking 10-15 minutes before surgery was completely over in about
10-15 seconds.
And there was no burning sensation.
So, in a nutshell, my "firehose" status was achieved immediately after catheter removal and I came out of the restroom greatly "relieved," satisfied and kind of laughing. I also felt bad for whoever had to clean the walls inside that stall.
Thus I quickly learned that I could now urinate with no pain and had to be ready to return to normal urination with a forceful, quick stream. It was simply amazing and, 2+ years later, I still marvel at the difference.
On another note, I probably used light pads for 2-3 weeks after the catheter was removed. I may have needed it for light dribbling for the first 4-5 days, I don't recall. But after the first few weeks I realized I was using them only because I didn't know yet if I could "assume" I'd never have an accident.
But I quickly stopped using them and just kept one on my coat pocket in case I needed it -- thankfully I never did. I've been virtually 100% continent ever since then.
I suppose the skill of the surgeon has a lot do do with different outcomes. And I can never fully thank the doctor who did mine. I would recommend him to anybody.
I would sure hope that everyone can enjoy the same kind of outcome.
Chuck
Resident of Highland, Indiana just outside of Chicago, IL.
July 2011 local PSA lab reading 6.41 (from 4.1 in 2009). Mayo Clinic PSA Sept. 2011 was 5.7.
Local urologist DRE revealed significant BPH, but no lumps.
PCa Dx Aug. 2011 at age of 61.
Biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma in 3 of 20 cores (one 5%, two 20%). T2C.
Gleason score 3+3=6.
CT of abdomen, bone scan both negative.
DaVinci prostatectomy 11/1/11 at Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN), nerve sparing, age 62.
My surgeon was Dr. Matthew Tollefson, who I highly recommend.
Final pathology shows tumor confined to prostate.
5 lymph nodes, seminal vesicles, extraprostatic soft tissue all negative.
1.0 x 0.6 x 0.6 cm mass involving right posterior inferior,
right posterior apex & left mid posterior prostate.
Right posterior apex margin involved by tumor over a 0.2 cm length, doctor says this is insignificant.
Pathology showed Gleason 3 + 3, pT2c, N0, MX, R1
adenocarcinoma of the prostate.
Prostate 98.3 grams, tumor 2 grams. Prostate size 5.0 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Abdominal drain removed the morning after surgery.
Catheter out in 7 days. No incontinence, occasional minor dripping.
Post-op exams 2/13/12, 9/10/12, 9/9/13 PSA <0.1. PSA tests now annual.
Firm erections now briefly happening in early mornings, 2 years post-op.