My RC date

Some bowel cleansing methods are rougher than others. I have had basically 3 different routines for the same objective. All of them required a diet of clear liquids. The one for my colon resection was a laxative and two enemas which i preferred to GoLightly. All methods will give you the runs so the best advice I got was to use vaseline after each time I wiped. Julie

Pat.........i just posted a reply and it has disappeared!

Perhaps I am not making myself clear as I am shaking in my boots and had some valium today!
First choice ........... neo bladder
second choice .......... florida pouch
Nodes .............. yes he is removing nodes, I did not ask how many as I know this surgeon will look out for me, he is very very thorough with great attention to detail. We both decided and agreed the neo would be best for me.
He discussed thoroughly the 3 options with risks associated, advantages, disadvantages, impact on lifestyle and psychological issues. Post op management and possible complications etc.

I hope I will be one of those thinner people who don't lose too much weight ........... already got the milk shakes on order!

What about the bowel cleansing, he said 2 days pre surgery, that must be difficult to cope with?

going in on the date of surgery works! You won't feel a thing. Post op there is not much pain, but you get the meds needed for pain and discomfort. I had post op problems re my wound site, but that is rare.

Just a little confused...the urethra comes out anyway with an Indiana Pouch...why not the Indiana Pouch as a second choice?
You're going for a neobladder first and secondly an outside diversion? Does your doctor even do an Indiana Pouch or did you just rule that one out?
Did he happen to mention how many nodes he will be taking out?
I'm glad you have a date...start loading up on milkshakes to put on some weight. Sometimes thinner people do not lose as much weight.
Pat

Melodie, thank you for your recent post and concerns my friend, I thought I would start a new post as I will have so many questions during the next 2 weeks.

Yesterday my husband and I met with my surgeon, who as usual was great and spent a significant amount of time answering my questions about the surgery. I have 100% trust in this doctor, which slightly lessens my anxieties.
We concluded with a plan A and a plan B.
I have decided with my surgeon to go for the neo bladder. In the event the cancer has spread to the urethera we will go with plan B the stoma.

My surgeon was extremely pleased with the chemo results but said 'he will dig deeper to remove the suspicious node' seen on the scan. He usually removes lymph nodes for pathology anyway, as I know do many other doctors.

My pre op is next Tuesday and my RC date is July 3rd, 2 days after my son's 18th birthday.

Although my insurance company will pay for me to go into the hospital one day before the surgery my doc suggested it may be better for me ........... because I am a nervous wreck, to just come into the hospital the day of the surgery.
He said he only has me scheduled in for that day and to expect the surgery to take 6-8 hours give or take!

He did say that I would likely lose around 15 - 201bs in weight (which I was already aware of from reading this forum) my present weight is 118. My appetite is improving after the chemo so I am trying to build myself up as much as I can.

For those of you who have had your RC I am sure you can relate to my anxieties, for those who have not, I like many others here hope to be able to actively contribute to this subject based on my experiences.
I can't think of any specific questions at the moment, just because I am very anxious. But as always I know I am going to get through this just fine.