The saga continues....I can't remember where I posted last as far as what has been going on with my surgery. It was probably on the PPML (prostate problems mailing list) Here's an excerpt from there:
(parts of this are rather graphic in the interest of accuracy, sorry to the squemish, perhaps you'd rather not read it!)
Hello, I posted once or twice here a few weeks back. I underwent pelvic lymph node removal on Monday of this past week. I was under the impression (up until the day of surgery) that I was going to have a lapaproscopic (sp?) procedure done, instead it was done through an incision 5 to 6 inches long just above where my pubic hair used to be. My question(s) are concerning recovery from this. I am 42 years old, and other than PCa, I'm in good health.
1) 5 days later I am still experiencing *considerable* pain and swelling from this. I feel I have a fairly high tolerance of pain. I was up and moving about the next morning and one nurse remarked he had never seen anyone mobile so quickly after this procedure. Perhaps that was said to boost my confidence, whatever, I'll take it! The "sack" for my testicles (pardon my lack of med. definition) is solid black, (I'm caucasion!) the skin is very thick and feels like shoe leather (no exaggeration whatsoever) and is very sensitive/painful to the touch, I have a massive bruise approx 14" long starting mid-way up my right thigh and extending half way up and around my stomach/side. The area beneath the incision and extending from my penis to my belly button is swollen and rock hard (not normal for me <g>) to the point where touching any of this area, bending over, sitting upright, etc., produces considerable pain.
2) I am taking 500mg of Cipro twice a day, have not had any fever or anything which would lead me to believe there is infection. I have a prescription for something called Hydrocordone 7.5/500 which I think is a tylenol #3 type drug, should I maybe have something which is better suited to deal with the swelling?
I would ask the urologist who did the surgery about the details, but he is (as all too often the case) a "difficult" person to communicate with in an unhurried manner. It's more of a personality issue or "chemistry" thing, because he will answer any questions directly asked, it's just that his directness is somewhat overwhelming in casual conversation...I get nervous! I'm trying real hard to be objective about this, not to find fault that is. I'm supposed to go in Monday to have the staples pulled out.
Anyway, I would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has had this procedure to tell me if the above sounds about right, if not, then what the problem may be?
BTW.....the PLND biopsy was negative!!! Very good news for me to hear!
Regards,
Hubert Few |
