date set for RC surgery

14 years 9 months ago #26283 by Webs
Replied by Webs on topic date set for RC surgery
Seems like these guys have covered most everything. Just have a few things to add.

I was in the hospital for 12 days because my bowels would not wake up. The day after they woke up they sent me home. We picked up a milkshake for me half way through our drive home (100 miles). Not to be to indelicate the shake moved through fast and I barely made it out of the car before my bowels forcefully ejected it. Be careful what you first put in, and what you are wearing and where the nearest restroom is.:blush:

Also before you leave they may want to remove the staples. Ask them how they will be securing the wound so it does not reopen. Mine reopened in several places and led to a very long recovery time. :angry:

Know that we are thinking of you.

Webs

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

14 years 9 months ago #26277 by Wyvverninfale
Replied by Wyvverninfale on topic date set for RC surgery
I believe recovery at home is a lot harder emotionally than physically. I think you need a caregiver (24/7)with while you have the suprapubic catheter(the one in the abdomen) in. My husbands needed to be flush frequently and this was something I had to do for him. When clog someone needed to be there at that moment even though it didn't happen often. I was glad my job was flexible that I could be off the first 5 weeks. I was surprized that they didn't inform us of this. At the hospital definitely see if you can stay at bedside. The nurses seem to appreciate having someone to assist with basic care needs(not to mention your husband). My husband could not have any water for 4 days and scant amounts of ice chips. Be very catious, too much ice or water can lead to an ileus (which is a blockage in the bowels, he would then need a tube in his nose along with a longer hospital stay.) It's actually nothing by mouth until your passing gas which can take 3-4 days.Ice chips in scant amounts for your dry throat. They may put cups of ice and water in front of you but don't cheat however tempting it is till the doctor OK's it. Walk early, the first day,and walk as often as you can stand it your whole time there. It seems scary to move with all the tubes but is the best/safest way to recovery. This is the # 1 cause to help your bowels start moving to be able to pass gas. (Remember your bowel has been cut into so it takes longer than most surgeries to recover. I believe this is the # one reason this surgery has such a long hosital stay.) Having a caregiver definitely increasing the amount of walking you can do. It's a time consuming event. You most likely wil have three urine bags and a sore abdomen to deal with. Getting up and down is the toughest part. Once your up walking it isn't so bad. You may want a snack for the hospital room for you. What I would bring is a pair of good plastic slippers,sturdy ones, not the flip flop kind. These can easily slide on and off the feet and can be worn in the shower if you wish and easily washed. You don't want to walk around the hospital and bring those germs back to your bed.I've seen people wear the cloth slipper socks and walk the hallways and them jump back in bed with them on. I wish you and your husband the best.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

14 years 9 months ago #26189 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic date set for RC surgery
I had Morphine post-op with a button I could push when I needed it. Sometimes I needed it faster than the button would allow (15 minute interval) but usually not.

Checked my records and it seems I was in for 13 days due to the ileus complication.

Got off the morphine a few days before getting out of the hospital and was on something that was mostly tylenol mixed with oxycodone (I think).

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

14 years 9 months ago #26187 by reseda1420
Replied by reseda1420 on topic date set for RC surgery
And another thing I remembered. You will want to ask about pain management in the hospital. I had an automated epidural pump. No pain in the hospital unless the pharmacy was late with a refill cartridge. In that case they gave me something called dilauded (sic). It worked well but sent me back to the 60's :) The epidural was kept on for about 10 days. At that point I only needed some vicoden for a day or two and then nothing.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

14 years 9 months ago - 14 years 9 months ago #26185 by mmc
Replied by mmc on topic date set for RC surgery
Happy to help! Keep us in the loop.

My wife bought me a few pairs of tie string pajama pants and they were great. Some comfy slippers are good to pack.

Pack a laptop with wireless access so you can let us know how things go and ask more questions. :) It seems most hospitals have free wireless access in the rooms these days.

Also, he should pack his own razor. Those hospital razors tend to lead to stitches or using enough toilet paper to stop the blood that he'd run out. Going to be using plenty of TP anyway (for what it was intended).

Be sure to MAKE him walk, even if he doesn't want to. It can prevent complications (like I had). Ask the nurses about that walking business. They can tell you experiences they've had with those that "Didn't feel up to it" versus those that "Did it anyway".

Pack a book or two for yourself. He's going to be in and out of it and you'll want to have something to do instead of sitting and staring. :D


Best of luck!

Mike

Age 54
10/31/06 dx CIS (TisG3) non-invasive (at 47)
9/19/08 TURB/TUIP dx Invasive T2G3
10/8/08 RC neobladder(at 49)
2/15/13 T4G3N3M1 distant metastases(at 53)
9/2013 finished chemo -cancer free again
1/2014 ct scan results....distant mets
2/2014 ct result...spread to liver, kidneys, and lymph...

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

14 years 9 months ago #26184 by vgau
Replied by vgau on topic date set for RC surgery
You guys are lifesavers! Now I have a better idea on what to expect and have already changed what I had planned to pack. Gonna stick to sweat pants and tee's for him. I will make a complete list of final questions before we leave. Thank you again so much. Really appreciate you taking the time to help.
Jeannette

Dx 10/5 Non Invasive Papillary

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Cynthiaeddieksara.anne