STUKNO
Had my robotic op end of June and my recovery has mirrored yours blow by blow. I am also dry after 3 months, was a surgeons delight a i followed the recovery plan by the book and was luckily enough to take 3 months off work to recover, my boss said you been here for 20 years its the least we can do for your loyal and hard working service. At the age of 56 it was a great shock as had no real problems, i was persuaded by a friend to get tested. My family and i will always be grateful we had the discussion.
Tricks of the trade:
After your op set loads of min goals it makes you feel so better:
Waking up after the op
Seeing your wife again
Filling your first catheter
Eating your first meal (well part of it)
Drinking your first jug of water (plenty more to come)
Getting on your phone again again.
Getting some sleep the first night
Eating all your breakfast
Having the Canula out
Getting out of bed
Having a wash and shave
Self injecting (28 more to come)
Walking out of hospital the next day
Getting home (following a uncomfortable car journey thanks to the many pot holes)
Sitting in my favourite chair
Seeing my kid and grand kids
Filling my first small wee bag and empty it ( the first of many)
Enjoying the start of my high fibre diet.
First sleep in my bed (leave the little bag in place and connect the night bag on the bottom, then place the big bag in in a mop bucket so you can get up at night and walk around.
Emptying the first night bag (how much wee)
First shower (ah so much better)
First walk around the block (2nd day home and more regular walks each day, waling 2 miles after week one and smaller walks during the day)
First poo after after day 4 (with a big cheer from the toilet and the wife laughing her head off when i came out)
First walk to a cafe at a local church (with catheter attached and emptied by road side down a road drain - did i laugh you bet)
Walk to town and back to the Costa Coffee (with catheter)
Day 9 - TWOC trial without catheter - passed but control poor, had a bottle in the car for trip home!!
Filling my first pad - The first of many ha ha ha
Recording my daily leakage on a spreed sheet with lots of other subject boxes (well i am at hoe doing nothing)
Walking further and faster
Washing the cars and Caravan (boy o boy did i stress leak or what but job done and sleep)
Cut the grass
Clean the windows
Clean and seal the block paving (over 3 days)
First PSA test post op (less than 0.01 Yes Yes)
See the consultant - i already forwarded my spreadsheet!
See Physio - i already forwarded my spreadsheet!
Experimenting with Viagra, and vacuum pump hit and miss but 'work in progress' always glad to practice!
Post op 7 weeks driving ( did'nt need to drive i walked every where and lucky the wife drives)
Post op 8 weeks away with the touring caravan - we always had a toilet with us i just pulled over and hopped in the van!
Post week 9 - back at football to watch Oxford United first game of the season - and use of the disabled toilet - no quing for me!
Post op week 12 back on my push bike, feed up with walking!
Post op week 14 Back at work Mornings only with working from home pm for two weeks - buzzing and sleeping so greatto be back!
Post op week 16 Back at work full time still buzzing
Post op week 18 PSA test still less than 0.01 'GET IN'
Today - Back in hospital colonoscopy and HALO op for my piles, back home Colonoscopy all clear and HALO op a success. Now for a couple of days rest! Surgeon said back on bike after three weeks - how good is that.
So these were my Goal, i was lucky enough never to have a bad day only positive ones. I now who are my true friends are now and my family support was huge especially my wife of 36 years, love her to bits!
As for life always glad to wake up and nothing really phases me on a day to day basis life is to short. Once you have touched by the big 'C' Family happiness and enjoyment of life is so important, Roll on retirement at 60 we have so much planned (now brought forward)
Thanks for reading and hope it will help someone. Any questions please ask
Mark