I just felt like I needed to write down what goes on in the process of dealing with a cancer diagnosis and the events that follow. This is my story. I have no idea how it will end.
Background
On May 12, 2014 my urologist informed me that my biopsy results were positive for prostate cancer with a Gleason score of (3+4)=7. This meant that most of the cancer cells were slower growing (grade 3), but there were some more aggressive cancer cells (grade 4). Because of the presence of the more aggressive cells, he recommended that I needed to take some form of action - I was not a candidate for any of the "watch and wait" protocols.
Since the first hint that there was a problem on the prostate front (an abnormal DRE on March 27), I had begun studying prostate cancer. My background as an engineer and research scientist made this a most logical approach. The Internet provides a vast amount of information that helped clearly explain the disease and its treatment options. I was well prepared when meeting with my doc. Based on the information gleaned off the Internet and listening to my doc's advice, I quickly decided on removal of the prostate.
Being 68 years old and in good health, left all the treatment options open. There were three: surgical removal, radiation therapy (many choices), and cryotherapy. In cryotherapy they freeze the entire gland, not just the region containing the tumor. This seemed rather "coarse" and would not be amenable to sparing the nerve bundles running along the outside of the prostate, so I quickly ruled it out. Radiation therapy comes in a range of techniques. However, in all of them, the target is the detected tumor. What about some very small, yet undetected tumor that might come to light a few years down the road? Nope, not willing to chance it. Get rid of the whole thing once and for all.
For some reason, the cancer diagnosis was no big thing. I found the people around me were much more upset than I was. I kept asking myself was I just in denial, but I didn't think so. In fact, at no point have I been really upset except when they were getting ready to wheel me into the operating room. I had cancer. There were treatment options. I studied them carefully. I understood what I read. I knew what the risks were and was willing to accept them. My wife and I openly discussed the options and possible side effects. She was completely supportive and agreed with my "get rid of it once and for all" attitude. Choice made, let's get on with it.
My doc recommended going over to Loma Linda or City of Hope (or any other place of my choice) for surgery. Both are reasonably close to the Palm Springs area (70 miles to LL and 120 to COH). So, back to the Internet to study both hospitals and their staff.
It was a tough choice. Both are apparently great hospitals. However, COH had more experience (number of procedures) with robot prostate surgery. But, as my doc pointed out, once you do a few thousand of these, it doesn't really matter if your experience base is 3000 or 10000, you will have seen most every thing several times. Anyway, I chose COH. One thing I found annoying about LL was it's constant waving of the "Proton Therapy" banner. Just do a Google search on LL and you will see what I mean. I really didn't want them waving that banner at me when I was trying to make decisions.
My doc made me an appointment with COH and I went over on June 4 to meet with the docs. They appeared confident and spent time with me and my wife answering all questions and clearly explaining what was to be done and the possible outcomes. We both came away satisfied that COH was a good choice. My surgery was scheduled for Friday, June 20, 2014 by Dr. Yamzon. (Note to self: NEVER schedule surgery on a Friday).
Friday - Surgery Day
While I didn't feel scared or even too anxious, my blood pressure was 174. It's normally 125. Clearly my insides were bothered.
The anesthesiologist gave me a shot just before they wheeled me into the OR at about 9:15 am. I remember nothing until about 5 or 6 pm when I was in my room. About 8 pm my wife said I was doing fine, but was mostly incoherent and not a lot of fun to be around, so she went back to the motel to get a good night's sleep.
Mat was the nurse on duty who took great care of me (I guess, I was mostly loopy). It was a really long night. I would go to sleep and sleep soundly, but for only a few minutes to half and hour. Which was ok, because Mat was always in and out checking on me. Anyway, the night seemed to take forever. No pain or particular discomfort. Mostly felt like I had done about 500 situps. I think Mat gave me some happy juice a couple of times.
Saturday
About 5am, Mat made me get up and walk around. I was very tentative in moving, fearing that something would break loose causing great amounts of pain. No such thing happened. Walking was great. I mostly sat in a chair or walked around from then on until I was released later in the day.
When the wife came in about 8am, I told her I didn't think I would be able to go home today as I felt quite "beat up". Also, noticed I had a case of "Baboon balls". Ever noticed on the nature shows how massive Baboon balls are? Well, I now had a set. I had read somewhere that this was a side effect for a day or so. Penis was hidden away like a scared turtle.
About the middle of the morning Mat gave me a new happy pill, and things began to feel much better. Each trip up and down the hall was easier and I began to feel pretty good. My noon, I was chomping at the bit to go home.
The catheter was not a problem at all. I had previous experiences with a catheter, so there were no surprises. It's really quite nice in that you can sleep all night without having to get up to go pee. Plus you get to see in real time how much urine you generate. And how your intake of fluids affect the urine production. It's really quite interesting. You make a lot of pee really fast, especially if you are hooked to an IV and are drinking lots of fluids.
I was discharged about 3pm. I was a little concerned about my comfort level during the upcoming 2 hour drive back to the Palm Springs area, but it turned out to be no problem at all. We stopped about half-way and I walked around a bit.
Went by the kennel and picked up the dog and headed home.
Sat down in front of my computer to check emails and such. Went to bed at my normal time. No particular pain or any other issues. Slept well.
Sunday
Today I have a lot of gas pain in my guts from the CO2 they pumped into me. I was warned about this and told to walk and fart as much as possible. This I did.
Hung around watching TV, computer, dog, wife, ... Rather boring. Meaning everything was normal. If it was not boring, then something must be wrong. I took a pain pill (oxycodone) just to see if things would move along a little faster. Took a nap.
Monday
Felt even better, but still gassy. Also, had not yet had a BM, so that added to gas pain. More walking with farting. About noon, BM success. Gas pain all gone.
Continued the day with normal "do nothing because it is 108 degrees outside". Worked on learning how to write a Java Android app for my Nexus tablet. I want to monitor the engine and transmission of our motorhome. Just engineer geekiness.
Keep feeling better. Another long walk in the evening.
Oh, there was a terrible part of the day. That was trying to schedule my post-op visits to COH. They may be a great hospital, but their scheduling service SUCKS. It took some 3 hours and conversations with 7 people to get my return appointments confirmed. I believe all the problem goes back to the fact that I was discharged on a Saturday (remember my note about not having surgery on a Friday). While the hospital might like you to believe they are a 24/7 operation, this ain't true. There were several screw ups in trying to get discharged and the discharge instructions regarding scheduling my post-op visits was wrong. Anyway, after more pain and agony than the surgery, my visits got scheduled correctly (I hope).
Another good night's sleep.
Tuesday
Feeling even better. Went a nice long walk before it got hot. Just sitting here writing, I feel perfectly normal. Well, I guess the catheter does pull a little when I wiggle around.
The wife had bought me all kind of nice sweet things to eat, so I just finished the last pudding cup. And the jello cups went yesterday. Back to bread and water, I guess.
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