Joe
Wow! Traverse City MI! What a great place! My In Laws have a place there(met my wife there; honeymooned there... had the greatest dinner @ Bowers Harbor) and when I had this cancer thing going, my wife and I were seriously going to chuck all the stuff from NY and move into the Traverse City house(technically Acme)and enjoy the area full time.
As for my hospital stay.... 8 days... no complications
Surgery was nerve sparing and I have a neo-bladder made from my own intestine. It took 10 hours to perform.
I was really drugged up for 24 hours but I DO remember walking about 25 yards(seemed like 25 MILES!) the first day.
Had a catheter and a drain tube in for about 2 weeks after I came home. Man, what a relief when they came out! I spent 6 weeks at home recovering before I went back to part days. I may have pushed it to a shorter period, but I had to come to grips with cancer and kind of put work on the back burner!
I have only a FEW lingering issues. And I can certainly overcome them, considering the alternative. I am slightly colder than before. I remain somewhat incontinent at night. I have had a major change in bathroom procedure... For Christmas this year I would like to have a Firm stool!
For once. I have no idea why that changed!
Since my wife attended MSU I have to say " Go Sparties"
We met at Northwood university in Midland MI!
Hope this helps.
George