Hello Everybody!
This is my "follow up" on Monday's procedure. (lymph node removal)
For starters, the surgery was of the "open" variety, and not the laproscopy which I thought would be used. The difference is that I have a rather large incision (6 to 7 inches) just below my belt line. The urologist stated that it would be easier to get to all of the stuff he needed to get to. I was going to wait until getting the biopsy reports before writing, but yesterday came and went with no word...maybe today.
To clarify previous statements about the procedure. My urologist informed me that monday's surgery had no "preventive" value, and was done solely for accurate staging of the cancer.
Any doubts I may have had about this happening to "someone else" (denial) are now eradicated! This definitely is happening to me. Most everything from a line below my belly button to the middle of my thighs is now either purple or black, and of immense proportions (well, *almost* everything<g>)
I checked out of the hospital on Tuesday, could have stayed a few more days, but the only thing the hospital had going for it was "PCA" (patient controlled analgesics) I had an IV with a timed drip of morphine sulfate which I could supplement by pushing a little button (within certain programmed parameters)....I used it quite frequently! This was not without cost....I began to make less and less sense as time went along! Morphine is a very strange drug, the analgesic properties are almost incidental to the major quality of being a "euphoric". You still are very much aware of the pain, it's more of a trade-off, and the trade-off keeps you quiet, a desireable quality in a hospital setting I am sure.
So, now I'm at home. It's difficult for everyone, but mostly for me. Now I have to listen to my 8 year old whining about matters which seem decidedly unimportant, and it's *really* starting to get under my skin. I love him as much as I ever have, if not more, I just wish he would shut up sometime!<g> The ultimate "self-sacrifice" is that I am supposedly here for him, although it is difficult to carry on a meaningful relationship when you feel like someone has started a fire in your stomach. I still have not mentioned the dreaded "C" word to him, but he knows, he would have to know with all of the books laying around, the hushed tones on the phone, etc. I have told him that "something is wrong" with my prostate, explained to him what the prostate is, what it does, etc., and that seems to have satisfied his curiosity.
Not to make it out as all negative....he's been quite helpful, loving, and considerate at times. And lord knows I am *trying* to be patient with him.
As time goes along the pain will surely decrease, I thought it had yesterday, and then I started getting gas pains which are no fun at all! If anyone know s of an effective remedy for this malady *please* post it!
Well, this is about if for this sitting, keyboarding in an upright position is something of a chore. One day in our lifetimes the voice recognition computer will be a reality, I'm looking forward to it.
Cheers! |
