Can't stand the waiting: Part 2

[41FromMI]

Had my O/I yesterday. Ouuuuch. I am one sore puppy. Dr. had surgeries scheduled all day, mine was scheduled for 1130am, 1 hr procedure. It took 1.5 hrs. I spoke to him for a bit prior to going in, bottom line is my treatment protocal will depend on pathology. I'm still waiting for copies of my ultrasound and bloodwork reports, but he restated that my markers were all normal. I don't know the size of the mass detected on ultrasound yet. The Dr. expected some difficulty due to scar tissue and mesh in place from my previous hernia surgery, I'm assuming thats why it took longer. The nurse anestesiologist (sp), an older fellow with many years under his belt mentioned that I had the best urologist he knew taking care of me, with the most experience, etc. and stated if he was having the surgery himself he would want him to do it. Maybe he tells that to everyone to make them feel better I don't know.
I had pelvic, abdominal, and chest CAT's done after surgery, probably due to me peppering the Dr with questions prior to going in. I think he was going to have me wait till I healed a bit but saw how anxious I was. I call on monday for pathology results and I have an appt in 2 weeks.
In the mean time, I'm sore, bruised, and swollen. Gonna take it very easy for a few days, nothing more than walking around.
I've just started my ride, we shall see where it takes me.
Thanks for listening.
Mike

[ssavino]

My husband is no same ride

Mike-
Your story sounds very similar to my husbands so far. Markers normal surgery, had surgery Monday and still home healing. No idea what treatment lies ahead and very nervous about it all.
Hope all goes well with you.
Sarah

[huckchef]

rest, rest, rest. glad to hear the I/O went well. stay informed as much as you can...it will help with the soon to come anxiety. The good thing is your going to be alright. Hang in there and keep us updated!

Brian

[Rob2time]

Congratulations on moving forward

The only good thought to help manage the pain (and we're all been there, some of us twice) is that you should be really proud of yourself for moving forward and getting the I/O done, and getting on with your life.

The pain will subside, but try to go slow. Give your body and your mind a little time to heal. Easy to say, but hard to do, I know. But try. Relax and read those books you've been meaning to get to but couldn't!

[ssavino]

How long does the recovery take from I/O. My husband had his Monday and actually thought he would go back to work Wed, of course he did not but wants to go tomorrow for a few hours. He is in more pain than either of us expected. Also how long before he can pick up our small children? For those of you who had small children when you had the operation. Doctor definitley underplayed the severity of the pain afterwards.
S

[Sans rt1]

Wishing you a favorable pathology report and CT scan. Take it easy, it takes a while to heal up from your I/O.

When I had my I/O, I figured I am strong, I handle pain well, I will heal fast. I had mine Monday afternoon, and planned to take 3 days off from work. I ended up calling in and taking two more days off. That Saturday, I felt real good, and decided to go to my son's baseball game. I was not comfortable sitting on the bleachers, so I ended up standing and pacing around next to the bleachers. I the 5th inning, I became very dizzy and almost passed out. It was more than a little embarassing - but it did give me an opportunity to tell everyone there about my TC surgery :eek.

It is major surgery, so treat it as such. Take it easy and let yourself heal.

[Vinny]

Recovery time isn't that bad - should be about a week provided no complications. I had some "bonus surgery" with my I/O - hernia repair - so I took it a little easier. Take your pain meds to stay on top of the pain, use ice (a bag of frozen peas or corn works great, but don't cook it afterwards), keep your legs elevated when resting, and walk when you can.

I would wait a couple weeks or so before trying to lift anything more than 5-10 lbs. I did unwittingly use some laugh therapy while convalescing by watching several (OK, all) of the Retarded Animal Babies videos - NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN UNDER 30! For a couple of days I would be like "HAHAHAHA! OWWWWW.... HAHAHAHA! OWWWWW...."

Maybe after a week you can load up on pain meds and go see Borat.

[mercyriver]

My husbands Dr also underestimated recovery time

We have three children, 8,4,2. He told my husband and I he would be feeling better in a matter of days, enough to be up and moving around, back at work in 3 days.

My husband felt the same as you all do. He spent a week at home, almost all of it in bed, and he is 29.

He was told no heavy lifting (the kids) for one week, but he waited almost 3 before he really felt safe to do it. He just had them sit next to him most of the time to spend some time with them.

His Doc also said he most likely wouldn't need the pain killers after the first day. He needed them for about a week also.

So don't feel bad taking more time to recover then the doctor said you would. Listen to your body, it will let you know.

Best of recovery in everything.

B

[41FromMI]

Boy did I overdo it the first day. After my last post, I couldn't stand lying around so I started walking a bit, then a lot. Up and down stairs, doing stuff around the house, standing to sitting, pretty much normal. Ate like a pig too. This all the day after surgery. Didn't rest at all.
When I finally stopped for the night and sat down at 10pm, I couldn't get back up. My wife yelled at me for not listening to her and pretty much carried me to bed. Rough night. Hurt a lot. Didn't sleep. I took the darvocet the dr prescribed, I think I had a reaction to it, I got itchy and couldnt sleep. I'm sticking with straight tylenol, I went part of the day yesterday w/o meds, I was feeling fine (so I thought). I thought I could take it easy, but I hate sitting or lying for long periods of time. I will try try try to resist the urge to not rest today. My dr actually wants me off work for 2 weeks (physically demanding job), I guess I will start watching tv (hate tv).
Bought "It's not about the Bike" by Lance Armstrong, I will start to read that today.
And It's been 3 days since a BM, tried Milk of Magnesia, nothing. Anyone have any sure fire remedies to get the ol guts working again? Starting to hurt from not going.

[IowaBrian]

If MOM doesn't work then there is another option suppository, I would call the doctor and they can call something in the pain meds can cause a back up but if you off of them then I would call the doc so you can get something to relax.
Good Luck
Brian

[Vinny]

And It's been 3 days since a BM, tried Milk of Magnesia, nothing. Anyone have any sure fire remedies to get the ol guts working again? Starting to hurt from not going.

Senekot or Colace is a pretty good bet (you need an Rx for Colace). They didn't let me leave the hospital until I'd had a BM, and it hurt like hell. Glad I had extra pillows laying around in the recovery room. Walking and drinking lots of liquids (pure fruit juices) can help free them bowels up too.

[41FromMI]

Pure Seminoma

Well, spoke to the Dr. today, he told me pathology showed pure seminoma. Up to this point in the back of my mind I had been thinking, well, my markers were normal, perhaps it was just a cyst or some benign growth. Maybe I didn't have you know what. But, here it is. I have cancer. I am a cancer patient. I'm going in to see the Dr. in a week and we will discuss at length my options. He has referred me to a radiological oncologist to discuss radiation therapy options in the meantime. I still don't have the statistical information some have asked. He said the seminoma was 1 to 1.5 cm in size. I didn't ask about vascular invasion. He also said my CT scans showed normal lymph node sizing. But again I don't know what standards he is using for "normal". I am going to get copies of everything when I see him Tuesday.

For now, if there is no vascular invasion or evidence of any spread, I am going to go with surveillance. I've heard the problem with surveillance is some folks don't stick with it. I for the life of me cannot understand that. Perhaps for some it is a greater inconvenience than others, be it travel, financially or whatever, that I can somewhat understand, but to just not stick with it because you become complacent???

Lucky for me, I live in a large community, medical facilities nearby, I work afternoons, making appts in the morning are no problem, and I have good medical coverage. I will hear the radiologist out, but pending any unknowns, I'm thinking surveillance is for me. Maybe my Dr. was right, I did the right thing by self exams, and caught it early enough.

I think the next thread will be "And the surveillance begins".

[Scott]

I am a cancer patient.

You are a cancer survivor! Surveillance does sound as though it will be a good choice for you.

[Karen]

I've heard the problem with surveillance is some folks don't stick with it. I for the life of me cannot understand that. Perhaps for some it is a greater inconvenience than others, be it travel, financially or whatever, that I can somewhat understand, but to just not stick with it because you become complacent???

Yup, that's the reason. I'd guess that after a year or two of check ups guys figure you're they're out of the woods...the invincible young mentality . I agree with Scott that surveillance sounds perfect for you given you r case and location to a medical facility. Congrats on survivorship!

[dadmo]

As rare as tc is my son's local oncologist lost two patients to tc. One opted to treat himself with herbs and the other went thru chemo and after two years stopped the followups and died because of teratoma.