Going in for neobladder Dec. 16

Thanks everyone for the comforting words! I know like everyone else i will get through it. I'm one of those people who always likes to be in control, but I've been here before so i know some about what to expect. The 16th. is approaching like a jet plane! Get tough, Be tough, Stay tough!!! Its worked in the past. I'll try it again
Thanks everyone.

Duke,
You will have some drains, etc once you wake up. But once
you go home from the hospital all you should have is a catheter.
The catheter is a pain in the butt, well, pain in the, well, you know, but you will counting down the days till you can have it removed. Then it's all about healing. I would get into physical therapy as soon as you can for pelvic floor muscles. as you know, once the catheter comes out, you have to learn how to hold & go again. I'n not going to kid you, the first couple months suck, but after about 3 months, you really start feeling a whole lot better.
It may seem like an eterinity, but it goes by fast. I am almost 7 months post op, and I feel as good as I did before surgery. I played golf after about 4 1/2 months, and I am going to return to playing hockey in a week or so. Life does not end with a Neobladder, it just gets put on hold for a bit. With family support, and a good attitude, you will be just fine!!!!
Jim

Sorry; Pat and Jim I'm not to sharp on this postings stuff yet, I missed your posts before the post i just made. Thanks for your response. Like i said, I'm mostly worried about all the mess I'm going to wake up with, and be packing around for the next three or four weeks. I've been through a lot and always been able to be very positive about it, but this time looks like it may be pretty ugly. I'm not much for dealing with all the tubes and stuff, but i guess I'll get through!
Once again, thanks

Good to know you have a great doc and the family support is there for you.

I can tell you from personal experience that you will feel WAAAAYYYYY better about the surgery 3 months from now. It's much more scary when the surgery is on the horizon. Not so scary at all once it's done but it takes some recovery time and getting used to the new way of things isn't hard at all.

Best of luck on your surgery!

Mike

Thanks George for your reply. My family support is great and i know thats a good thing. My Dr. is suppose to be best in this area in Salem, OR. Have been lucky enough to Know and and talk to some of his sucesses, and feel comfortable with him. It's the whole procedure that I have my doubts about.
I'm not new to this medical thing, have had bone cancer, lung cancer, chemo etc. IT's just more about what i'm going to wake up with??? I had a motto before "get tough, be tough, stay tough". May need it this time more then ever!!! We will see. Thanks for advice.

Duke

Welcome to the site. You found us Before the surgery and that is good! I have to ask the same questions. How is your level of confidence in Surgeon? How is your family, and social support? How do you feel about "What you have to Live FOR?"

Keep yourself grounded and positive. And ask ANY, and I mean "ANY" questions that pass through your mind. We talk about everything here. This is a truly open forum and EVERY physical and mental quirk is open for discussion.

I have only one suggestion. Make sure you stand up for yourself with your surgeon. Talk to him as a friend and let him know you are not just another number. You have plans and through his help you will be a better person for all of this. Believe me, It helps.

Most of us here are always talking about how many neo bladder surgeries the Dr has done. You don't want an artist so much as you want an "assembly line worker" They have done this a thousand times and seen it all.

You are allowed to ask anything, say anything, vent anything Here. We'll listen and help

George