Friday, August 28, 2020 – POSTED: August 30, 2020
Today marks one week since I had surgery last Friday, August 21st. Now to get through the weekend, and Monday morning, I get my catheter out!
I slept on the futon in the living room. The ability to lay flat was uncomfortable at first. But the ability to lay on either side was wonderful. I passed an enormous amount of gas and felt much better. It was the best night’s sleep since I’ve been home! A few more like that and I’ll be rested.
Air left in the abdomen from the laparoscopic procedure travels up the torso. The right shoulder feels pain. I awoke from sleep. It feels like there’s an ice pick in my shoulder joint. The actual protruding ice pick has to be a coincidence. I took acetaminophen before bed, but it’s too soon to take more. I can’t take anything stronger without also eating something. All of which involves getting out of bed.
I had the idea for a timeline on the blog. This will both illustrate the process from diagnosis to prognosis for others, but be a record I can quickly turn to if I need it.
The best part of having a catheter is NOT having to get up from sleep to go pee. I had nearly two liters in the bag this morning! Other than that, I am so tired of this catheter. I keep feeling discomfort, the worst is the irritation at the tip of my penis.
It’s a really strange feeling to touch your penis while washing it and feeling the rubber tube inside. No pain, just weird.
Slow/Raging Hunger
I’m not too hungry in the morning, but I can’t wait too long to eat when I wake up. It is similar at noon. By time for supper, I have no energy and can eat an incredible amount.
I imagine it’s because my body is rebuilding tissues and adjusting to the major internal changes. I hope all is healing well.
Except for my drain tube wound still weeping and requiring gauze changes, every other external incision appears to be healing well.
Naps
I find that my body lets me do quite a lot. I can sit at the computer and work on various personal projects for hours on end. I also wake up in my desk chair after I don’t know how long. I don’t even recall falling asleep. So it’s pretty difficult to do too much.
After I was so wiped out after the shopping trip a couple days ago, I know I need to just stay close to the house and let my strength return.
I’ll be released to drive once I get my catheter out on Monday. Part of me really wants to go on a long drive. I’m not sure how I’ll be feeling after getting the catheter out. I’d like to drive home from the doctor appointment, but I have a feeling I’ll want to just ride back home.
Waiting for bladder control to improve will probably be a big factor keeping me close to home, or else pack along pads, disposable underwear, and a change of clothes.
Bloating
My abodomen is still disended from the gas used in the procedure. It looks like I’ve been chugging soda. I had one the other day and the caffeine just made me pee like crazy, it also made me feel more bloated.
I’m hoping this helps me break my soda habit. I drink diet soda, but it is just as bad as regular soda as your body reacts like it is regular soda. Without the soda induced bloating and the ability to move more freely, I am hoping to start slimming down. I’ll never be a 34 inch waist again, but anything under 40 inches would be awesome.
Natural Schedule
I’m on a much more natural schedule. I can’t stay up late as I just start crashing. I get up without an alarm way earlier than I have in a long time. My intent is to use the momentum of circumstance and find a regular sleeping schedule that will help my energy levels, memory, and general health. By being more rested, I’ll have the ability to be awake before work to get in a walk or something to help burn calories and build muscle. Walking is a great one to help with strengthening the core, including the pelvic floor.
Loosing fat on my mid section will also help with the quest for full bladder control. However, I must admit the ease of living with disposable underwear. I can see the appeal for those not in a good head space for post-op recovery. Attitude is so important. I’m going to ride this wave of motivation and get this done.
Looming Benefits
If I increase my general level of physical fitness, it will make certain activities easier. If I lose the abdominal fat it will help with both bladder control and getting off bloop pressure medicine which makes you pee. That medicine makes bladder control a bit more challenging when it kicks in. My energy levels should increase even more, and I should be able to accomplish even more of my goals.
New Mindset
I was in a dark and lonely place leading up to my surgery. Even with a positive attitude, it was a fake it till you make it type. Waking up from surgery meant all the fears and other nonsense melted away. My mind was freed. Now I am wrapping up personal projects I let languish for years.
I’ve got so much motivation that I started this blog, and renewed an old website. Knocking off something that old from a to do list is even more freeing. I can’t do any of my to do’s that require physical effort, so I will do all the ones that don’t. I’ll be ready to attack the physical list once my physical restrictions are lifted. I’m sure I’ll be chomping at the bit in another week, with two to go.
Cheerleaders
By being single, I know that is what let me get so down. If you have a partner and you’re going through this, you should be that much more ahead of me. Had I had someone to cheer me on and encourage me, it would have made the waiting for surgery much more bearable. In this time of isolation due to COVID-19, I’m really glad that my oldest son & his family live with me. My granddaughter is a big light in my life and her patience with me is great. She’s very disappointed that I don’t have more energy to play, and especially that I can’t pick her up and give her a big hug. Soon! She might be able to sit on my lap once the catheter is out, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Well, I’ve got an hour to hour and a half till bedtime, 10:00 or 10:30. Depends on how soon I start to crash.
Men's Health in My Perspective 