Post surgery - Faaark
A bit over a week post surgery and all I can say is Faaark!
As good as the pre op info and prep is, nothing really prepares you for waking up and looking down (first to check it's still there) to see a catheter running out of your old fella and the 6 dressings where the cuts were made to get at and remove the prostate.
There is probably no better indication of the advances in medicine than how quickly they get you up and about. Less than 24hrs after surgery, out with the drip, off with the big catheter tank bag, on with a strap on leg bag and it's up and at 'em. Get walking around, have a shower and then as well meaning as they are, taking visitors.
One thing that wasn't mentioned is the pain from the gas they pump into the abdomen to make more room to move. CO2 is still in there when they close you up and of all places, I thought someone about 140kg had jump on my shoulders and tap danced while I was out and as soon as I got up and started moving it was bloody awful. The hardest drugs I had the whole time were panadol (a bloke who had recent surgery had a bad experience on the harder stuff) but I came close to calling uncle.
So 2 nights in hospital and then discharged to return a week later for catheter removal. Life with a catheter wasn't too bad, a week out though and a nice little blister from a rub spot and it was fucking uncomfortable. Nurse says this may feel a little strange as it's removed. Now I can say that I was shitting myself at the thought of the catheter removal but indeed, it felt a little weird but no pain....oh and relief to not have it there. On with a nappy and into the waiting room to drink water. Aim is to pee three times and after each they do a quick ultrasound to ensure the bladder is emptying. All clear given and sent on my way with a party bag full of various incontinence pads / socks / pants.
Now it is very disconcerting to have no control over your bladder and that's what its like straight after catheter removal, no matter what you do, there is no control over the pee going into that nappy. Nurse tells me it will get better over the next 12 -24 hrs and it does seem to improve. First night home and its almost a dry night, able to hold it before a trip to the toilet through the night and the next morning. Still no real control when walking or standing though so this will be the next milestone.
AX
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