Just got back from the doctor's office and the catheter is gone! Woo-hoo. A few men have to get it reinserted if normal function doesn't return within 8 hours. But I have already had one trip to the men's room (sorry, too much info again) so I think I'm OK.
The nurse removed one of the two remaining staples. However, a small spot at the top of my incision, just below the belly button, is not healing as fast as the rest of the incision. They said this may have to heal from the inside out, but were not concerned. It seems to not be infected. I just have to keep it clean and dry.
I was a bit disappointed that Dr. Gaylis was not in today, so I did not get the final pathology. But I know what it says. All margins clear with one ambiguous spot at the apex (lower part of the prostate where it meets the sphincter). Pathologists suspects the margin was invaded, but Dr. Gaylis disagrees. I think they are arm wrestling over the final report. I go back on October 10, and will get the final version then. I am sure that I am healed, so I am not worrying about this.
Thank you all again and again for your care, l;over and prayers. The journey is not over. Today was a major milestone.
Praise God, and Thank You, Lord, for your loving kindness.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Sunday Praise
The past couple days, I have had an overwhelming sense of wellness. It is amazing that after such major surgery, I am getting back to a feeling of normalcy so quickly.
For men in my situation, there are two major concerns. First, was the cancer contained? Getting the cancer before it spreads outside the prostate is critical. For my case, it appears we were able to catch it in time.
The second major concern after dealing with cancer is the issue of continence. I know this is not pleasant to talk about, but it is an important "quality of life issue". I will not know until the catheter is removed on Tuesday (15 days after surgery) how well my continence (or lack thereof) has been preserved. I know Dr. Gaylis walked a fine line between getting all the cancer and preserving my ability to control urinary function. Most men are incontinent after surgery, but improve over weeks, months and even years.
I leave this matter in the hands of a loving, caring God. Whatever the outcome, I praise God for blessing me with healing and wholeness. And I thank you for your prayers and concerns as focus changes from the major issue to a relatively minor issue after my visit to the doctor on Tuesday.
For men in my situation, there are two major concerns. First, was the cancer contained? Getting the cancer before it spreads outside the prostate is critical. For my case, it appears we were able to catch it in time.
The second major concern after dealing with cancer is the issue of continence. I know this is not pleasant to talk about, but it is an important "quality of life issue". I will not know until the catheter is removed on Tuesday (15 days after surgery) how well my continence (or lack thereof) has been preserved. I know Dr. Gaylis walked a fine line between getting all the cancer and preserving my ability to control urinary function. Most men are incontinent after surgery, but improve over weeks, months and even years.
I leave this matter in the hands of a loving, caring God. Whatever the outcome, I praise God for blessing me with healing and wholeness. And I thank you for your prayers and concerns as focus changes from the major issue to a relatively minor issue after my visit to the doctor on Tuesday.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Friday
God is so good.All is well. I had a little setback this morning, but expect there will be good days and not so good ones. I am learning to be patient.
I continue to look forward to next week when I should regain my independence from "the tether".
Not much new to report, so here is hoping you have a great weekend.
Bless you.
I continue to look forward to next week when I should regain my independence from "the tether".
Not much new to report, so here is hoping you have a great weekend.
Bless you.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Wednesday Update
I have a strong sense of wellness today. Each day, I can tell I'm getting better and stronger. It is no longer difficult to get up and down in bed or in the recliner. I can tell the incision is healing well, too. Of course, everything is relative, and I know this is a long process. But I am amazed at how well things are going. There is no pain at all, only occasional discomfort.
By this time next week, I hope to have the final pathology report. Dr. Gaylis is confident he got all the cancer. There was one tiny point in the "apex" of the prostate where he and the pathologist differed on their interpretation of a "clean margin" (meaning the cancer has or has not penetrated the edge of the prostate). Think of it as an orange: Was the cancer all inside the orange, or had it penetrated the orange peel? So they will take a closer look under the microscope to get a better reading. Obviously, we hope they find it was a clean margin, and have faith that will be the end of my treatments.
This whole experience has given me a testimony of faith and healing I wish to share with others for the rest of my life.
May God grant you health, wholeness and love today.
By this time next week, I hope to have the final pathology report. Dr. Gaylis is confident he got all the cancer. There was one tiny point in the "apex" of the prostate where he and the pathologist differed on their interpretation of a "clean margin" (meaning the cancer has or has not penetrated the edge of the prostate). Think of it as an orange: Was the cancer all inside the orange, or had it penetrated the orange peel? So they will take a closer look under the microscope to get a better reading. Obviously, we hope they find it was a clean margin, and have faith that will be the end of my treatments.
This whole experience has given me a testimony of faith and healing I wish to share with others for the rest of my life.
May God grant you health, wholeness and love today.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
More Progress
All but one staple came out yesterday. The trip to the doctor's office wore me down a bit. I like to think I'm further along the road to healing than is the case. But all in all, I am amazed at how fast I am recovering. Healing just takes time.
This morning, I feel better than ever. The pain has been amazingly low. The one incident last week, where for about a half hour I was in considerable discomfort, may have been trapped gas or passing a blockage or clot. I had pain medication, and got through that just fine.
I'm trying to take over some of the basic tasks of my own care. Anita has been amazing, and I am now capable of doing some of the basics so she can focus on the bigger issues, and get her own tasks done. I love you!
I'll work in my home office half the day, and rest for healing as needed.
Hope you all enjoy a wonderful productive day.
This morning, I feel better than ever. The pain has been amazingly low. The one incident last week, where for about a half hour I was in considerable discomfort, may have been trapped gas or passing a blockage or clot. I had pain medication, and got through that just fine.
I'm trying to take over some of the basic tasks of my own care. Anita has been amazing, and I am now capable of doing some of the basics so she can focus on the bigger issues, and get her own tasks done. I love you!
I'll work in my home office half the day, and rest for healing as needed.
Hope you all enjoy a wonderful productive day.
Monday, September 22, 2008
One Week Out
It was exactly one week ago that I was in the staging room getting ready to be rolled into the OR at Sharp Grossmont Hospital for a Radical Retropubic Prostatectomy (prostate cancer surgery).
One week later, here I sit in my office (well, my home office) checking my emails, taking care of matters I can handle remotely, and feeling amazingly well. Just gave myself a "sink bath" and shave. Was able to dress myself with one of the "body shirts" Anita got for me. They are perfect for me now, and very comfortable.
I feel great! I'm taking 20 minute walks around the house and back yard. Then rest, don't want to overdo it.
It has not been a picnic, but I have no complaints. To imagine that next Tuesday, when the catheter comes out, this will all begin to be a fading memory, is difficult to comprehend. I hope my experience will be an encouragement for a few of the quarter million men in America who learn they have this disease every year.
I cannot thank Anita enough for all her help and encouragement. PCa is as tough, if not tougher, on the caregiver than the patient.
Bless you,
William (Bill) Jenkins
Cancer Survivor - Four Months and One Week
One week later, here I sit in my office (well, my home office) checking my emails, taking care of matters I can handle remotely, and feeling amazingly well. Just gave myself a "sink bath" and shave. Was able to dress myself with one of the "body shirts" Anita got for me. They are perfect for me now, and very comfortable.
I feel great! I'm taking 20 minute walks around the house and back yard. Then rest, don't want to overdo it.
It has not been a picnic, but I have no complaints. To imagine that next Tuesday, when the catheter comes out, this will all begin to be a fading memory, is difficult to comprehend. I hope my experience will be an encouragement for a few of the quarter million men in America who learn they have this disease every year.
I cannot thank Anita enough for all her help and encouragement. PCa is as tough, if not tougher, on the caregiver than the patient.
Bless you,
William (Bill) Jenkins
Cancer Survivor - Four Months and One Week
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Next Milestones
On Monday, I will have about 17 staples removed from my incision.
On September 30, I am scheduled to have my catheter removed, and get the final pathology report from the lab. That will tell exactly how extensive the cancer was, and what, if any, escaped the prostate.
Today has been pretty good so far. Still taking it easy. Lots of healing needs to take place, and I must be patient. The pain has been very low since yesterday's incident at about 8:00 AM.
I am listening to my body as it tells me what it needs to recover.
Little things, like shaving and taking a "sink bath" are big deals right now. I was able to sit up all morning and watch my Mississippi State Bulldogs get annihilated by Georgia Tech.
Guess I will head back to bed for some rest. Don't want to overdo it.
Bless you, everyone.
On September 30, I am scheduled to have my catheter removed, and get the final pathology report from the lab. That will tell exactly how extensive the cancer was, and what, if any, escaped the prostate.
Today has been pretty good so far. Still taking it easy. Lots of healing needs to take place, and I must be patient. The pain has been very low since yesterday's incident at about 8:00 AM.
I am listening to my body as it tells me what it needs to recover.
Little things, like shaving and taking a "sink bath" are big deals right now. I was able to sit up all morning and watch my Mississippi State Bulldogs get annihilated by Georgia Tech.
Guess I will head back to bed for some rest. Don't want to overdo it.
Bless you, everyone.
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