Wife has surgery recovery questions....

[Guest guest]

My 59 year old husband has just been diagnosed with PC. We will be

meeting with the surgeon in two days, armed with a list of

questions, to discuss treatment options. All of this started back

in January 2000 when he had his annual physical. His PSA was 4.5

and it was the first time it had ever been elevated. He was

referred to a urologist and between January 2000 and April 2006, he

had four biopsies and continued to have PSA counts done every three

months. Each time there would be a slight increase.

Finally, I stepped in and requested the urologist refer us to Duke

for a second opinion. He didn't want to and even made the statement

that we would be wasting our time and money, and all that would

happen is that the 'almighty Duke doctors' would put their blessings

on 'his' findings and then would send my husband back home. Well

guess what?? The urologist at Duke DID NOT put his blessing on the

prior findings. He was immediately concerned that the count had

gradually increased every three months over the past six years and

the ratio had dropped. He did a 3D biopsy which revealed cancer in

four of the eight samples. It is located in the right and left Apex

and in the right and left transition zone. His Gleason score was

3+3=6. The bone scan was negative.

By the way, during this entire six year period, my husband has never

experienced any symptoms other than some ED and his DRE's have

always been negative.

Since the day we found out, July 24th, we have done a massive amount

of research and at this point are leaning towards a nerve sparing

radical prostatectomy, but will make the final decision after

meeting with the doctor on Monday morning.

I haven't found much information about exactly what to expect during

the recovery period. The doctor said that the surgery requires just

an overnight stay, however since we live over four hours away from

the hospital, we would stay in a local hotel for several days just

to make sure things are okay before we make the drive back home.

Since we live at the beach, we have lots of stairs just to get in

the house....is this going to be a problem? Also, how long before

he can drive? Is there a period of bed rest? If anyone that has

had this type of surgery could answer some of my questions, I would

really appreciate the help.

[Guest guest]

Bette - Stairs shouldn't be a problem for your husband but don't let him overdo it. My advice is to have him take it easy for a full week. As far as driving, I wouldn't advise it till his catheter is out which should be no more than 2 weeks. I had surgery in January of this year and if you would like to follow my recovery it starts with message #6651 in this group. Best of luck to you both and keep in touch. Mick Bette wrote: My 59 year old husband has just been diagnosed with PC. We will be meeting with the surgeon in two days, armed with a list of questions, to discuss treatment options. All of this started back in January 2000 when he had his annual physical. His PSA was 4.5 and it was the first time it had ever been elevated. He was referred to a urologist and between January 2000 and April 2006, he had four biopsies and continued to have PSA counts done every three months. Each time there would be a slight increase. Finally, I stepped in and requested the urologist refer us to Duke for a second opinion. He didn't want to and even made the statement that we would be wasting our time and money, and all that would happen is that the 'almighty Duke doctors' would put their blessings on 'his' findings and then would send my husband back home. Well guess what?? The urologist at Duke DID

NOT put his blessing on the prior findings. He was immediately concerned that the count had gradually increased every three months over the past six years and the ratio had dropped. He did a 3D biopsy which revealed cancer in four of the eight samples. It is located in the right and left Apex and in the right and left transition zone. His Gleason score was 3+3=6. The bone scan was negative. By the way, during this entire six year period, my husband has never experienced any symptoms other than some ED and his DRE's have always been negative. Since the day we found out, July 24th, we have done a massive amount of research and at this point are leaning towards a nerve sparing radical prostatectomy, but will make the final decision after meeting with the doctor on Monday morning. I haven't found much information about exactly what to expect during the recovery period. The doctor said

that the surgery requires just an overnight stay, however since we live over four hours away from the hospital, we would stay in a local hotel for several days just to make sure things are okay before we make the drive back home. Since we live at the beach, we have lots of stairs just to get in the house....is this going to be a problem? Also, how long before he can drive? Is there a period of bed rest? If anyone that has had this type of surgery could answer some of my questions, I would really appreciate the help. God rewards those that keep on keeping on. Stay positive. Think positive. Pray positive. And talk positive.

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