Being a regular guy can be embarrassing…
I wanted to reach out real quick and let friends and family know everything went fine with my procedure so far. The radiologist says’ text book’. He said he inserted 95 radiation seeds in my prostate.
I came home yesterday wearing my catheter, didn’t sleep much but still got some rest, and got to see some great smiles on my girls. (good medicine!)
So today, I just got back from Dr. O’s office to have that pesky catheter removed. Like most games we play in our mind, this all was easier than I made it out to be all this time.
And I think many THANKS go out to YOU, and everyone else for your prayers, well wishes, healing powers and positive thoughts. You and the rest my Angels ROCK!
There were a few hiccups along the way though.
Like the first nurse yesterday who was to administer my IV needle. She said she wanted to get the ‘drama’ over early.
Being fit and as healthy as one can be with a few cancer cells in their belly, I have good veins for this. These needles don’t bother me. Yet she still chose to prick a vein on top of my arm (a.k.a. the hairy part) instead of underneath it.
She apologized and laughed, “it will be like getting a wax job when they pull all this tape off with the needle.”
I was still thinking about the deed ahead of me and said, “if they don’t shave me in my land down under it will be like getting a Brazilian job there too !” Yikes!
She left and I had to wait some more for the next step, administering the anesthesia. My wife was with me at this time so we could text each other on our phones….in the room.
Now I am a regular guy. Ever since my healthy quest a few decades back I have always tried to eat healthy. And my bowel movement in the morning you could count on. But Monday I wasn’t allowed to eat anything. Although I did have to shower a few times with anti-bacteria soap.
So as the clock clicked on it became apparent I had to go. Maybe it was nerves, or regularity, or just fate. But I didn’t know if I should, given all the anti bacterial cleaning down there and that area being the place of operation in my procedure. Know what I mean?
BUT I also didn’t know what would happen to my muscle function once they knocked me out and I was afraid of pooping on all these high-priced needles filled with radiated seeds. That would be some radiation poisoning!
So I talked it over with my wife and we called a nurse to get her thoughts. She said go ahead, showed me the bathroom and went to get some wash clothes for clean up.
Now keep in mind I have an IV bag attached to me at the time, hindering every process.
Well I went with little difficulty and tried to clean up in the bathroom as best I could, thinking infections and bacteria and other dirty words.
I get back to my waiting room and the nurse did bring back 2 sets of towels and wash cloths.
So, not wanting to take any chances with infection, I grabbed a wash cloth with the plan to wipe one more time and be sure no color appeared on the white linen.
Oh! And I am wearing those nice surgical gowns that only tie in the back.
So, holding my IV bag in my left hand, I reached around to the back and tried to pull that piece of the gown forward so I can hold it with the IV hand. Of course this left a large part of my front exposed.
I was standing right in front of the door and I knew, with my luck, a nurse would walk in as I am standing there, bent over, naked up front, wiping my butt in the back, my face looking out to anybody and everybody in the hallway.
So I did what anybody would do, I did a 180 turn around so they would only see my back side… and not my face.
So, I tried it again, trying to hold one gown flap back with my IV bag hand and check the wipe with the other. However this over sized gown was so big that the other side’s flap was covering my area I intended to check.
So trying to think through the logistics of my problem, I did a quick quarter turn to try to get the momentum of the wind to hold the flap up long enough where I could slide my wash clothed hand underneath it.
All most butt but no good this time. So I tried it again.
I got closer this time but still no good. Knowing I knew the secret on how to do this on my next attempt I thought I would try it one more time.
But I heard this faint laughing.
I look up and see my wife standing there, laughing in hysterics to the point of tears. I said, “whats so funny?”
She said you look like a dog chasing his tail! And she continued to laugh.
Well, I finally got it and the cloth came back clean. But still you wonder about bacteria.
So on the wall of this room was one of those gel alcohol soap dispensers that kill germs. So I thought, why not?
So I got a handful of this gel and tried the same trick as the wash cloth, successful on the first try.
Oh no! Bad idea!
That alcohol wanted to burn that fleshy area. I said “ouch, ouch ouch!” as I tried to wipe it off.
It continued to stay warm down there in Australia. But at least it should have been sanitary for the operation.
Other than that sensation there really has not been too many discomforts, other than the tube up my penis. I haven’t noticed any spidey senses, or increased strength, although I really didn’t get a good look at my jewels last night in the dark.
It appears the only enhanced sense I got was an increased sense of pee’ing, which came with its own accessory….
Stylin’ and Profilin’
Many of you have asked how the girls will handle me not being able to hold them on my lap. We told Dylan the night before my procedure and she started to cry. It was sad.
But then she pulled herself together and looking for a bright spot she asks if I’ll still be able to play with her.
Now by playing she means wrestling. You see every night she likes to stand on the foot stool of the sofa and dive at me like a body slam. I pretend to be knocked back and then we wrestle a little until I get her in a position to tickle her. Being tickled is a form of affection to this girl.
So every night we have done this around dinner time. But I am afraid that too has to wait a few months. She may be too big to do it when the time is up!
So that’s about it! I feel good. I’m up moving around. That’s right I went to Dunkin Donuts in the above attire after I had my catheter removed. Celebratin’ at Dunkin’!
I am still waiting for me to pee, sans the tube and poach. This is important or else the tube has to go back in. So I am drinking a coupla light beers in order to help me go.
Just kidding! Apple juice is the order of the day.
We were leaving the hospital yesterday around 2pm and I got my Hollywood ride in the wheelchair I was looking forward to.
I was helped on the chair and then helped in my car, in the passenger side this time. And as I carefully sat in there I had to find a place for my pee bag and just opted to hold it on my lap. Which added a whole nother dimension to holding your pee in the car.
Have a great week everyone!
OUR LIFE IN 3D 
That sounds like it comes from someone who is a bit of a tickle-meister herself. 😉 Ms. Miiu, there were many dark days when I first found out about the cancer but had not yet heard the results from all the tests or having options. I was too young for this I thought and then I would look at my two beautiful girls I was supposed to raise. But then I heard of some options I had in June and it didn’t seem so bad after all. So I was elated. I was still stressed but elated as I researched others with cancer and knew just how lucky I was. And so its easy to laugh after you are prepared for the worst. ~Thanks for the nice thoughts and support! Wishes for continued success taking care of that beautiful family of yours. Thanks for dropping by…
first of all – noone is ever too big for tickles. ever! secondly: i really do admire you for your mindset, your positivism and how you perceive the life you’ve been given. you, if anyone, will get through something like this faster than you could ever imagine. because it always comes down to how your mind is set. 🙂 lots and lots of love and moral support from our family to yours!
Thanks so much Cyndi! I hope I don’t sound greedy…Ijust won’t want to repeat too many of these previous steps. I appreciate your help! Sedona, huh? Have a good trip. Send pictures…and the positive energies. 🙂
Heehee…Boston Cream forgives everything! That was a favorite late night treat (at Krispy Kreme) when I was in college. 😉 Good point about the wait and see mode. I will be sending continual positive healing energy your way…even from the west coast and Sedona, where I’m going in a few days. Sedona is supposed to have amazing healing energies. I’ll keep you covered! Promise!!
Don’t hate me…the Dunkin Donuts is just at the top of the side street I turn back to go to the Dr’s office. I deserved it! Boston Cream… its a toss up between those and the board’s. Browns didn’t have anything with the decadent cream inside. Glad I amused you with my nighty story. All that and I was NOT on any gas yet. It was too funny. I even had to laugh at how doumb I could be for laying a lyers of that anti-bacterial gel on. And if you have any left I am still accepting the positive energy and good thoughts. While the procedure went as good as could be asked for I still have the cancer until the radiation seeds do there things. So in a kinda ‘wait and see mode’. I will wait for some good reggae for the weekend. Its good timing as we were just trying to discuss where next years vacation may be. ~ I hope you are doing well Cynthia and that your being busy is a good thing. Always great to hear from you!
I haven’t been on WordPress reading any blogs of late…BUT I had to drop in to your site especially to see how you were doing. Sorry it took me so long! It looks like I could have stopped sending positive, healing energy your way a while ago. 🙂 I am SO glad to hear you did well!! Your full disclosure stories are hysterical! I have one remaining thought…does a “fit, and as healthy as one can be…” guy really go to Dunkin Donuts to celebrate? Bet they weren’t as good as the donuts you told us about from the Boardwalk. Hope you are having a GREAT day today!!
By the way, I met some interesting Rastafarians recently. They have great connections to the Reggae movement. When I get some inside music recommendations, I’ll share. 😉
It’s all yours…;)
Ah, we really need the rain, I hope we do get some.Send what you got!
Yeah, the last 2 came out smoking cigars, they were so big. Rained out today, sluggish weekend…you’re probably getting the brunt of that front about now. Enjoy yours, too!
My wife has been selfless through all this and a blessing. Yes, fears still abound, like this swelling that I have gotten and what it actually means to have radiation living in you, staying in you for a period of time that is strong enough to effect kids close by and pets. Yes, I wonder about that now. But it was easily the best choice instead of being opened up and have an organ removed. Thanks for the well wishes Ms. Eyes! Always great to hear from you…
The catheters idea kept me up late thinking about them all summer; one of the most dreaded parts of the whole procedure. I was lucky it was for a short time and not quite as bad as I imagined. But can you every get used to them? No! I slept like 2 hours that night afraid I would roll over an give it a yank. Your last two must have been real fighters. Kuddos to you for making it thru a tough time. Hoping you’re having a great weekend, thanks for dropping by SSM!
By playing she means wrestling – how sweet 🙂
It’s great you’re going through this so positively. Sure they said text book, but still you must have small fears.
It’s wonderful your wife is there. You seem to be doing okay. Good luck, still 🙂
Reminds me of parts of birthing the last 2 kiddos. Catheters SUCK. (no pun intended whatsoever).
Thanks for the update – prayers abound!
Radiation seems to be like an odd bird. I know its in me but you don’t really feel it other than I know I can’t run very far right now. No, nothing as exciting as x-ray vision…yet. I would never be able to get any work done then! Be well AuAu…thanks for dropping by…
I wish I could have been more supportive, but I sorta live through sickness in a different way, Im the kind who would never go into surgery nor doctors, and I have had plenty of serious health problems myself.
Lets hope the radiation brings cool effects, can you see through peoples clothes yet? I bet that power would be great.
thanks Aurora. I am glad it went well too.. the place they shaved is pretty swollen right now so no bikinis today! Thanks for dropping by and looking in!
Happy that it went ok 🙂
With that shaving, you can wear a pretty bikini now.
Those gowns seem like a nightmare, you did good with the extra cleaning, a surgery infection can be very dangerous.
Think happy thoughts 🙂
I few hours earlier that bag was yellowish too! 😉 And I may never drink apple juice again as they both look the same in the clear bag. So there is something to be said for Yellow bags. As always, it is great to hear from you Cristina! Thanks for dropping by…
Thanks so much. I am glad I could make you smile. 🙂 it really was funny and of course I thought ‘blog materiel’ I wil try to hold on withthe bravery a little bit longer. And remind your husband to get checked when he turns 50. This procedure was fairly easy but it might not have been if I didn’t get checked and they would have to remove the prostate. ~ As always, so great to hear from you! Thanks for dropping by!
Oh god, that’s what the funny taste was in my doughnut??? too funny. Thanks for the well wishes Brown Eyes. I really appreciate them! xo
The girls and I played puzzles last night. We each had our own and raced. The older one is competitive like that. I am not allowed to beat her! So you liked my new accessory? I was oh so happy to get rid of it. And I started reading your letter but I have to wait to finish it until I know for sure I am out of the woods in catheter land. Its not going to be funny until I can ‘look back at it”. I actually have to get better at pee’ing or I get a new one. Thanks so much for dropping by Sandy and helping out. I really appreciate it!
I was actually worried about the peeing part. I squirted a little out just minute in front of the deadline and then a little bit of a stream 2 hours later. they tell me the incontinence part may not start for another few weeks. But really, all in all, this was pretty easy. It was way worse in my mind then it ended up being. Yea, there was some discomfort with the catheter but it was for less than 24 hours. I hear other people have theirs in for days. If I can answer any questions just shot me an email. I would be happy to. Thanks for dropping by Nelson!
I have been. funny thing the apple juice looks just like the stuff in the bag!
Thanks for the well wishes Luanne! Sometimes ya just gotta laugh. I wasn’t laughing as they were preparing to remove that catheter though.
I’m SOOO glad to hear things went well. thanks for a good laugh today, Andy!! Keep chuggin’ that apple juice!!
Pee bags over here are yellowish, they just lack imagination…
Oh my goodness! You just turned a stressful and uncomfortable situation into hilarity. You should write comedy. Thanks for keeping a joyful spirit for the rest of us. We know you are hurting and maybe even a tiny bit fearful of some stuff. Keep that Superman cape on and the humor and take it easy for a while. We are praying for you.
YEY!!!! Glad to hear all went ok!!! You are so funny and I would have done what your wife did and laughed uncontrollably. LOL! As they say, “Everyone “Pees” on Dunkin”. Keep healing! 🙂
Hey Andy…so glad to hear (read) that everything went well. Still rootin’ for ya. Hopefully you and the girlies are having some fun playtime.
And by the way..you rock that catheter bag as well as I rocked my eye patch. (I’m gonna inbox you a funny-ish catheter story…..)
Fantastic post. I’m happy that it all went well. You have certainly made a quick recovery. I hope the good progress continues and the peeing too!