Why Not?

Notice my new blog header photo?  It was taken in Provincetown, Mass in June of 1980.  Yep, a LONG time ago.  I got tired of looking at the picture of me at Rehoboth Beach.  I look SO OLD in that picture.  But wait, I AM OLD.  So, until I get someone to take a current picture of me on the beach at Rehoboth, this old picture from my storied and fabled past will have to do.

Not much to write about in today's posting except to bring everyone up to date on my post prostate surgery.  I have recovered nicely thank you.  The discoloration in my nether regions has almost gone (thank God).  I still have a slight burning sensation when I urinate (there he goes with the graphics again) but nothing that I can't handle.  In fact, I'm sort of getting used to it.  

The other issue (and now is the time to get the kids out of the room again because I'm going to get really graphic now) is my sexual function. 

I was advised "not to engage in sex for two weeks after surgery."  Well, that was no biggie for me since I basically haven't engaged in sex for about three decades now (except for self-entertainment - look it up).  So, two weeks to the day I pulled up my favorite fantasy video and pressed "run".  Uh huh, everything seemed to be working just fine.  Yep, working just fine until....wait for it.....the climax (you don't have to look that up).  Well folks, what can I say?  It wasn't quite what it was before.  In fact, it was somewhat disappointing.  Of course there was blood (I warned you) all over the place.  Looked like a murder scene.  

So I waited a few days then put my fantasy video on again.  Uh huh, okay.....everything is working fine again and then........yep...struck "oil" again.  Well, it was a little better this time (still lots of blood but not as much) but not quite up to the "full gusher".  So there you go folks, information that you will not receive from your urologist or websites on the aftermath of prostate surgery.  

Post Recovery - Prostate Surgery Day Five

Right after surgery - I DO NOT remember this photo being taken but as you can see my innate personality is a SMILE. I think I'll be one of those folks who when they succumb to dementia, I'll be one of the happy ones.  I hope so.  

Progress folks!  Progress!

I am very happy to report that I am making rapid progress in my brachytherapy (seed implants) prostate surgery. 

Before I continue, again I issue the warning:  if there are children in the room or you are squeamish about the details of prostate surgery and recovery then you should cover your eyes or leave the room.  I spare very little in detail.

Here goes:

I can now pee sans the razor blades and barbed wire.  Thank you Jesus.

Last night I only had to get up once to pee.  Just like old times.

My Number Two's are on schedule.  Thank you Jesus again.

However, I am still peeing blood.  Not as much as the first and second day but still peeing blood which is somewhat disconcerting.  I'm told this condition could last for weeks.....or months.  Well, it's not painful except to see it.  I'm all about the pain now.  As long as it's not painful I'm not too upset.  

I am still sore "down there."  I feel like someone used my abdomen as a punching bag.  I wasn't warned about this condition.  Maybe it's all in my head.

Last night I returned to work for the first time since my surgery.  I was very tired.  I don't know if it was because of all the trauma my body has been through or because I didn't get a good night's sleep because I was getting up on average seven times a night to pee.  Notice I'm still talking a bout "peeing."  That's what prostate surgery is all about folks, peeing.  The plumbing.  Mess with the plumbing and you really f--k up a guy.  At least with me you do.

So it seems as if I'm progressing along as expected.  I talked to my urologist yesterday and mentioned these factors.  He said that is all "normal" and "to be expected."  I also asked him if I could undergo a little dermatology biopsy (my regular dermatology appointment was last Friday).  He advised me to hold off until I'm off of my Aleve medication, which is a blood thinner.  

I had good news from my regular VA general practitioner doctor.  I don't have to bet the Roboflo prescription with was going to cost me over $450.  He is just increasing my Terazosin prescription which also relaxes my prostate so I can pee.  Back to the peeing subject again, almost unavoidable when discussing the prostate.

Something happened last night at work that caused another injury to my old body.  While I was getting the bucket and mop ready to mop the floors, I slipped on a wet spot on the floor and, trying not to fall on the floor accidentally jammed the top of the mop handle in my left rib.  Those ribs are sore as hell now.  I don't think I broke any ribs, just bruised them but just another area of my body that is in pain now.  Oh well, more Aleve.  

The photos above and below were taken immediately after I came too from anesthesia from surgery.  Bill took these pictures.  I don't remember him taking them.  I just happened to find them as I was transferring photos from his iPhone to my iMac.  Don't I look a sight?  I hope this is the last time I have a procedure for a while.

I don't remember posing for this photo either - I was just coming out of anesthesia. I do remember that that blank was warm.  I see my clothes are in a plastic bag too.  This was before my first pee - I wasn't smiling after that pee.

Getting Better (I Guess)

Here we are Day Three after my prostate brachytherapy surgery.  So how am I doing?  For one thing, the razor blade pees have decreased significantly.  Oh, it still hurts like hell when I urinate but not the cross-eyed, excruciating pain of the first and second day.  I still have the burning sensation and occasionally a touch of the razor blades but at least I can pee now without bracing myself on the wall.

Now I have a new situation, I have to "go" at least six times or seven times a night.  Prior to my surgery I could usually get through the night without getting up once to go to the bathroom.  Now I absolutely have to get up, it's not even my choice.  I HAVE TO GO.  This should be interesting when I go back to work tomorrow.  

I was told not to exert myself for at least two days after my surgery.  I didn't have too much trouble managing not to exert myself.  However, now I am restless and want to do more physical activity.  But I do have a live in nag (Bill).  This morning I was raking grass in the cold breeze. Spring hasn't arrived here in Slower Lower, we're still in the high 40's and windy.  I was only out a short while when The Nag came out and got on my case.  "You just had surgery!  You should be taking it easy!"  So, rather than get into a big argument with "Mother", I put my rake away and came in and laid down to read a book.  As I drifted off to sleep I heard the garage door slam.  That's Bill.  In and out of that garage all day.  The door to the garage is opposite the door to my bedroom.  

So here I am at my computer, updating my blog with my current situation.  I would like to finish raking but I don't feel like contending with Mother.  It's not all roses and butterflies living with someone else folks.  I know he means well but.........

Time for another pee.

Prostate Surgery - Day Three

WARNING!  The following is a graphic update on the after effects of my prostate surgery:

Progress folks!  Finally.  No more razor blades and barbed wire pees.  

Before we go any further in this post I'll warn you this is a graphic update on my progress after my brachytherapy prostate surgery.  This may not interest you ladies and some of you guys.  But for those of you men who are of a certain age and will probably face prostate issues in the future, here is what is happening to me after my surgery on May 2nd, two days ago.

The first day urination was so painful that I almost passed out a few times.  I heard that it would be like peeing "razor blades."  Oh yes, and you might add a few barbed wires in with that.  Oh God, was it painful.  Picture this, you have to pee but you don't want to because you literally feel like razor blades are coming out of the head of your penis.  And I thought I had experienced the ultimate pain with passing kidney stones.  Peeing razor blades is another whole new plane of experience folks.

Well, last night when I made my nocturnal visit to the bathroom for my nightly pee, it burned but the razor blade extreme pain was gone.  Just a little bit here and there but for the most part gone.

Now I have a new development.  Normally I only have to get up once at night (if that) to take a pee.  Last night I stopped counting at five.  I think I got up seven times.  There was relief that I finally could take regular pees, although they were stop and start, not the steady stream I normally take. But at least I didn't have the extreme pain.  And, I found out when I had the urge to urinate I had to go then.  No holding back, which I was always able to do before.  I hope this is a temporary situation because I would hate to be saddled with this condition the rest of my life.  

The second "condition" I have is that I haven't had a bowel movement (I told you this would be graphic) since the enema I took before my procedure on the 2nd.  I am taking Doculax as prescribed by my doctor but still no "action" (so to speak).  I feel like there is activity "down there" so hopefully something will happened today.  For many years I was plagued by constipation until I had a sphincterotomy (surgery to repair an anal fissure) operation in 2001.  I've never had a problem with constipation since. I "go" at least once a day, usually twice or more....every day. In fact, I have to plan my day according to when I go, because when I have to go I have to go.  No holding it off.  Thank goodness this usually is in the morning before I start the day.  

So that's where I stand now folks.  Making progress after my prostate surgery.  Yesterday I asked my urologist's office about the "razor blades" pees and the bruising of my penis (caused by the catheterization not a radioactive seed stuck in the head of my penis) and they said "That is all normal."  Wow.  All I can say is I am SOO GLAD I am moving on and getting past the worst of it.  Our plumbing, we take so much for granted.  

Update:  Number Two just accomplished. Now I can breath.

Prostate Surgery Update

Me early this morning for my surgery at the outpatient center

Okay folks, let's see how much of this I can get through.  

I had my brachytherapy prostate surgery this morning.  My surgery was scheduled for 7:30 a.m.  Of course Bill and I were early risers, about 3:30 a.m.  We arrived at the surgery center about 6:45 a.m.  They took me right away.

Beyond this door - surgery (you can tell I was nervous when taking this iPhone photo, hands were shaking)

First of all I cannot praise the folks at the cancer surgery center enough.  They were friendly, welcoming, efficient and professional.  Couldn't be better.  But of course why I am there is for a very invasive procedure with the possibility of numerous, undesirable side effects.  

My short wait in the waiting room of the surgery center before the process started - sorry I'm not smiling, not a happy time

I won't go through the step by step procedure at this time (perhaps at a later posting) but I will say that I was given enough anesthesia that I don't even remember going out.  In fact, I don't even remember going through any of the humiliating procedures that led up to today's surgery.  Of course I did wake up with my first ever catheter which was very uncomfortable (I expected that). You feel like you have to pee all the time.  They didn't keep it in too long.  When they took it out......WHEE!  Wow, I don't want to experience that feeling ever again in my lifetime.  Thank goodness it only lasted less than a second.

My "bed" for the next few hours (after I took off all my clothes which is what the "Patient Belongings baggie is for - "strip down Ron" - something that I am NOT unfamiliar with but usually not under these circumstances)

Bill was with me most of the time, except for the surgery itself.  That was a big plus.  I am so glad the medical establishment recognizes the need for those undergoing surgery to have their loved one near them (including gay loved ones) during a scary time like this.  

We didn't get out of there until a little before noon.  I was groggy.  In fact they wheeled me out in a wheelchair.  No pictures of that.  In fact, I only asked Bill to take a few pictures.  I really wasn't in the mood for picture taking but did take a few to give you all an idea of what it was like this morning.

After the surgery - I wasn't in pain here but very uncomfortable with the catheter in - I felt like I had to pee real bad which I did - blood clots and all - this is the last photo - I wasn't in the mood for any more photos

So we left the cancer center.  I was armed with four prescriptions.  I usually get my prescriptions though the VA but my urologist told me these didn't cost that much and just to get them at my local pharmacy.  Well, that turned out to be wrong.  One of them cost $177.99 which I didn't get.  It was Roboflo which "relaxes" the prostate. And them to top it off the pharmacy didn't even have it in stock and was going to order it due in my Monday.  That's too late for me, I need it now. I told them that.  In fact, I guess my doctor could of ordered Roboflo or a generic equivalent from the VA before today but I digress.

The other prescriptions were for Advil (inflammation), Cipro (antibiotic) and Oxycodone (pain).  I don't like to take Oxycodone because it makes me nauseas and constipated.  

So here I am about twelve hours after my surgery. I do have a problem.  I'm going to get graphic so if there are children in the room, please ask them to leave.  Ready?

When I pee (urinate) it feels like razor blades.  Man it hurts!  I have a fairly high pain threshold but this hurts like a (pardon the expression) MF.  

Here is the second problem, I have a discoloration which looks like bruising below the head of my penis.  I'm wondering if this is a normal side effect of catheterization or has something to do with the painful burning during urination.  It looks like burns.  I hate to think it but it looks like radiation burns, whatever THAT looks like.  

Of course by the time I got back from the pharmacy the outpatient cancer center was closed as well as my urologist's office.  I'll call tomorrow.  

I am concerned because I went on a website for prostate brachytherapy surgery for side effects and the "burning, razor blade urination" is experienced by quite a few men who undergo this surgery.  Some for days, some for weeks, and some for months!  God, I hope that's not me.  I've always had good urination.  Now I'm dreading it.  

I envy those few who said they had no side effects after their brachytherapy. At least one side effect I don't have is the soreness in my scrotum where my doctors stuck all those needles to implant the radioactive seeds.  I've read quite a few comments from others who underwent this procedure that they have pain.  I am very thankful that it appears that I will miss this side effect.

Today was an absolutely beautiful day.  I wanted to work outside but my post-operative instructions instruct me to "not exert a great deal of physical activity."  I can do that.  In fact I'm very good at that.  Also, the post-operative instructions advise me not to drive for two days. I can understand that because I am still groggy.  That was some kind of anesthesia they put my under, I still feel the effects.  Sort of like a two martini high.

Now, if you'll excuse me I have to take a pee.