Just Received the basic news

Thanks for your thoughts, Ann. When I had my recent surgery on Sep. 30, I did have a catheter and had to go back in the next day for its removal (but I was under when it was inserted). I did have pain for the first few hours after I went home and took the pain meds. But I think the spasm meds helped more than anything. I also had peredium for the painful voiding, which lasted a couple of days, but got better each time.

So, if it's not much more than that I know I can handle it. And if it is more, then I can handle that too. I am in good hands and I feel very positive that everything will work out. God is on my side and MDA is on my side and my husband is on my side. And you guys are on my side too. I can't ask for more. I am blessed.

Thank you all so much.

I second what Cynthia said about pain. I have had TURBs twice, did not have much pain afterward, and never took any strong painkillers. Granted, my tumors were tiny, so the area "excavated" wasn't big. I used to have a lot of problems with bladder and urethra spasms, however, not just after the TURB procedure but even after cystoscopies. As well as some kind of painkiller, you may have an antispasm medication prescribed, which I heartily recommend. I used to take it before my cystoscopies, and it really helped. Over the years I guess I've gotten "toughened up" by having so many cystoscopies so I no longer have any discomfort during or after.

One thing I don't think has been mentioned is that some people have a catheter in after the TURB; sometimes people need to leave the hospital with it still in and then have it taken out in the dr.'s office later. I didn't need one either time I had a TURB. I had one TURB as an outpatient procedure in the hospital under light general anesthesia, and the second one under local in the doctor's office. I gather having it done in the office is not common, judging from the responses I got from people here!

Best of luck.

Ann

Old Engineer and Cynthia,
Thank you for your responses. I'm making notes on what to talk to the Doctor about. I have only talked to him by telephone, but he seems very nice. His nurse said he was the best! I know I will have a team to deal with at M D Anderson. I understand from their site that I will have about 8-10 people that will assist me through this process. I am already totally impressed with MDA. I have never had this type of medical efficiency.

Old Engineer, I understand about the pain. When the urologist here in Granbury did my surgery a couple of weeks ago, I did have associated pain. I was given pain meds, spasm meds, and some other things. I have a very low pain tolerance, so I will definitely take the meds. But I do like to get off the pain meds as soon as possible too. I will definitely talk to the doctor about the 2 hr. dose at the beginning.

I am reading as many old posts as I can and it is really helping me get through this with more knowledge.

Thank you all for your responses. I'll give you an update as soon as I get back home on the computer.

Henri

Thank you for your prompt reply. The doctor did say he needed the contrast CT scan which they did not do before.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. It really helps to figure out what they were talking out.