Prostate surgery tomorrow

[TopManFL (imported)]

Glad you are home.

Do you have a family member or friend staying with you or checking in on you? Keep your cell phone (mobile) with you and keep it charged.

Every study shows that patients recover much better at home than in the hospital. I've had more than one "drive-by" surgery where I was sent home the same day. Normally, the doctor wanted a followup in his office either 8 or 15 days after I surgery. In some cases, it explains why the doctor is still alive because at about day five I'd decided life in prison wasn't worth killing the SOB for sending me home too soon.

My brother had hernia surgery that was supposed to take "under an hour". But, took four hours. Nevertheless, they sent him home the same day. I called him and he was alone and in horrible pain. The next day, the doctor phoned in some pain medication to the pharmacy. I was ready to call 911 and have him returned to the hospital. He begged me not to and it's the only reason I didn't call EMT and the police to come to get him. Yet, in 14 days he was feeling much better when he saw the surgeon and never mentioned the night of horror of that first night.

It is true that patients do better at home for recovery. Because hospitals are full of germs.

When I had my thyroid out, I knew I'd be going home the same day and seeing the doctor 8 days later (it's always 8 or 15 days because doctors do surgery on the same day of the week every week and clinic the next day). They wanted me off all thyroid medication for 7 weeks. 6 weeks until the radiation and one week after that.

I asked for the thyroid medication prescription then. I was told they prefer to wait until after the one week following the radiation.

So, I asked if I could come to pick up the paper script one week after the radiation therapy. HOLY JESUS JOSEPH AND MARY, you'd have thought I asked for a pot of gold! The answer was, you aren't supposed to leave the house for three weeks following the radiation therapy, do not come back to this office until its been 6 weeks post-radiation.

So, I asked why they wouldn't give me the script right then. The answer was that some patients don't understand and start taking the pills as soon as they get them.

I asked how would I get the pills if they wouldn't let me come in to pick up the prescription. Ah-ha! They thought they had the perfect answer and told me they would phone it in to the pharmacy and I could pick it up one week after the radiation.

I pointed out that I wasn't supposed to leave the house for three weeks after the radiation therapy.

They said, that to just quickly pick up the prescription would be allowed. I inquired why it would be allowed for me to pick up the prescription from the pharmacy after only one week but not to come to their office in one week.

The answer was that I wouldn't be at the pharmacy very long. I pointed out that the line at the pharmacy was normally longer than the line to see the front desk reception at the doctor's office.

Plus, the rule was after radiation, I had to stay three free away from people and 9 feet away from pregnant women. I asked if I should go to the pharmacy and measure out 9 feet from the pickup widow before taking the radiation so I could shout at the woman (it was almost always a woman) behind the counter and ask in a very loud voice if she were pregnant? Plus, what about all the people in line with me waiting to pick up prescriptions? Did I need to ask each of them if they were pregnant and advise all the others to stand three feet away from me?

After about 5 minutes of back and forth, he wrote me the prescription and reminded me not to start it until day 7 after the radiation therapy.

The point of that story is that Doctors have a plan, they follow the recommendations, they don't vary from them because if they do they can get in trouble in many ways. They don't always tell the patient the reason for all the things they do because it took them about 22 years to become a doctor and the appointment is only 15 minutes.

If you have questions ask them. If the answer makes no sense, ask again. If you don't understand, ask again. It is so much easier with an advocate in the room. They tend to calm things down and help you get right to the point.

[Chesleyt (imported)]

I live my mother and she is looking after me. I keep my cell phone with me all the time. I talked to the doctor yesterday morning and and he said I could resume physical therapy in a week but my release papers say 2 weeks, I even asked when he set up the surgery how long I had to wait before I could resume physical therapy and he said 1 week. So I'm going to try going to physical therapy next Wednesday like I have scheduled. My follow up appointment is in about 3 weeks, I don't know if I'll be seeing him or a physicians assistant or not, I've only seen the doctor 3 times and the longest time was when he did my cystoscopy before scheduling my prostate surgery. I got a full night's sleep and have taken my meds on time and that has helped alot in how I'm feeling. The only medications he gave me was tylenol 1000 mg every 8 hours and oxybutynin for bladder contractions which I was already taking. My pain level is under control and the oxybutynin is keeping the bladder from cramping. The surgery seems to be working so far each time I urinate it hurts less and is getting easier to go. Chesleyt

[Chesleyt (imported)]

Getting ready for bed 10:12 PM took my night medications and didn't have to take tylenol for pain. Pink urine again and some small blood clots hurts less to urinate and the flow is getting better. If anybody wants to know I had the urolift 3 years ago and it hurt alot more. If they try to talk you into getting a urolift forget it just ask for a button turp instead. It lasts up to 10 years where the urolift lasts 3 to 5 years and then you need the turp anyways so save the money and time and just get it done.

[TopManFL (imported)]

Glad things are going better. My experience is that every day is better after surgery.

[Chesleyt (imported)]

Thanks and you are correct I'm feeling better today then yesterday

[Chesleyt (imported)]

I spoke to soon I've had a bad day I have muscle aches and my lower back hurts really bad, I keep feeling hot than freezing and I'm exhausted. I think I caught something at the hospital even when I talk I'm horse, my chest is starting to feel funny and I have headache. I've been taking tylenol so if I did have a fever I wouldn't know. If I still feel bad tomorrow I'll call the Doctor. Chesleyt

[ambiguous (imported)]

I would contact the clinic now and explain your symptoms.

It might be nothing but a dose of the flu but please don't take any chances.

[Chesleyt (imported)]

I took my temperature and it's normal this morning. I'm still tired and achy but I haven't had to take anything for it. I haven't seen my chiropractor in a month and am scheduled to see him this morning I think my body needs adjusting. I don't know what position they had me in for surgery and the hospital bed didn't help either. Will let you know how I feel later today. Chesleyt

[Chesleyt (imported)]

Saw the chiropractor and got adjusted and all the pain went away, was able to get out for 5 hours today. Passed blood clots and peices of the prostate. Felt like I had to urinate really bad before the tissue came out but the flow coming out is very weak probably because of swelling I guess.

[Chesleyt (imported)]

Day 9 pain today all day but took nothing for it. Was passing blood clots today a couple of times today. Urine flow is improving