Exhale even further...

Saw the urologist last Friday - I no longer need to take Flomax, which he prescribed two years ago and I don't need to see him until February; I don't even need to take a blood test the week before my next appointment with him.  Went to the eye doctor for my yearly exam - I don't need a new glasses prescription, either.  I'm counting my blessings - positive medical news for once.  

I even went so far as to book the plane tickets for our next vacation - Hilton Head Island, in August of next year.  I'd booked the hotel and the rental car, but wanted to wait until I'd had the surgery.  And I mad a "vanity purchase" - I bought myself something I'd wanted since I was 19 years old - a Gaggia espresso/cappuccino maker.

It's been a very good week.  I'll take every win possible.

And soon enough, it'll be Thanksgiving - and I always look forward to that.  Even the grocery shopping.

Exhale and smile

It's already two weeks to the day since I had the surgery.  Apparently, it was fast, easy and went very well, according to my urologist/surgeon.  I don't remember going under the anesthesia; I do recall being awakened and told "okay, it's all over".  Granted - the physical pain afterwards was due to the catheter in me, which was an experience I hope to never have again.  Five days of strict bed rest after being sent home from the hospital (mobility was near-impossible); after I went out to the urologist for the catheter removal on the Tuesday, I was still a bit shaky.  But a day and a half at home to actually breathe helped and I was back at work, as of last Thursday.

There are very minor post-surgery lingering effects - some traces of blood in the urine, which is expected, but it's not alarming; some occasional light headedness and the fact that I can't walk as fast as I usually do - my stamina isn't quite up to par just yet.  But, given patience and time, it should stabilize.  The most stringent things that are not permitted during the recuperation period (6 to 8 weeks) is heavy lifting; no gym; no running, etc.  I basically need to be taking it easy.  

On the upside, I'm already feeling the major positive effects of the aquablation - I don't have to get up 3, 4 or 5 times a night; there's no straining and overall, it's been discomfort-free.  Whatever it's worth, I'm glad I did this.  It will bring down my PSA level and that will, in turn, help minimize the chances of prostate cancer.  To have surgery for the first time at 59 is unnerving.  Anyone who says otherwise is full of bravado and lying.  It's difficult because you don't know - something could go wrong.

I'm just very relieved to say in my case, it seems, everything went right.  And for that, I am grateful.

Twenty six...

I'm not being cryptic - if you know me, you know it's mine and Liz' 26th wedding anniversary today.  Glad to see that we're both still here and riding each wave together.

Tomorrow I have to go for "preadmission testing" at the hospital.  Nothing invasive or strenuous, I believe, and it should only take 2 hours, all in all.

I've tried to go over every possible detail in preparation for post-surgery, since I won't be driving or grocery shopping or going out for the few days after discharge.  I think I have all the details covered, save for actually placing the Fresh Direct order, which I will do as soon as the date opens.  

I don't know that I have anything else to say at the moment - I'm turning a blind eye to politics because everyone is so ill-informed, willfully ignorant and incapable of holding a rational, civil discussion.  The so-called "party" politics is just screaming, finger-wagging and frothing-at-the-mouth insanity.  And at this moment, I don't have any need for it.

Just going to try and float (so to speak) through the next week(s) and follow doctor's instructions so that I can go through the surgery, recovery and heal properly.

Autumn stone redux (ad infinitum)

The results of the MRI showed no cancer.  Thursday, October 3rd, I have to go to the hospital for "pre-admission testing" - blood test, EKG, X-ray.  Then, Thursday, the 10th, is the procedure.

I am nervous and frightened and I hate it.  I know this is the only option and it's a non-cutting surgery, but it's the aftermath/recovery that has me so bent out of shape.  A catheter for 6 days; then having to go across the island to the urologist's office for him to remove it has me even more on edge and knowing there are at least 2 - 4 weeks of seeing blood in my urine after that.  The immediate pain and discomfort - I'm going into uncharted waters.  It's all very unnerving at this age.

The benefit is that it will help reduce the enlarged prostate by clearing away the scar tissue; hence, the use of lasers and water; it will take pressure off of my bladder and (hopefully) lessen the possibility of prostate cancer.  It will also reduce my PSA.  And - as per my doctor - I will no longer need the medication I've been taking for the last two years.

It's the tension leading up to this that's been getting to me.  And it's a beautiful time, with the transition from summer to autumn.  It's been magnificent here - light jacket weather immediately; wearing socks and letting my hair grow back in...  The baseball pennant race has been fun - and yet, I'm not able to allow myself to enjoy.

The short version:  I want this to be over and to heal properly and successfully..

Wait and see (redux)

Tomorrow is the follow-up urologist appointment after last Thursday's MRI.  I'm a bit shaky and nervous and hope there isn't anything serious (except an obviously enlarged prostate).  It's also the last appointment before the aquablation procedure on October 10th.  

Truth be told, I've been getting bent out of shape - right or wrong - whenever I think about it.  I know it's a brief, non-cutting procedure, but it's surgery, which I've never had.  I have to have a catheter for five days after I come home and then have to go across the Island to have the urologist remove it at his office.  I fear the pains of the aftermath and how long it will take to recuperate.  I know a lot of it is irrational fear but I am scared.  It's not like something you do as a precaution, like a colonoscopy (which this summer will be time for another) - I don't know, but I'm definitely not in the best of head spaces right now.

I'm thankful for having had the vacation so I didn't/wouldn't be thinking about all this.  But now the reality is right in front of me and all I can hope for is nothing as a result of the MRI. 

Refreshed but now come the challenges...

Finally had that long-overdue and sorely needed vacation in Tampa.  Everything about it was perfect - the flights were comfortable; the rental car and hotel room were upgraded gratis; the hotel has a private beach; we were in the gym after breakfast each day and everything we did was fun and interesting.  Even after we arrived home, things ran smoothly - the car service got us home within a half hour; the laundry was done immediately and we ordered groceries from Fresh Direct to be delivered on Sunday morning so we wouldn't have to go shopping.

Reiterating:  the concept of a vacation is to "vacate".  To not have to think about things that cause stress, aggravation or negativity; to not have to visit people or have an agenda - this time was spent relaxing and letting go of what's been on my mind, which was a welcome distraction.  So I feel good, spiritually and mentally.

I know that feeling is going to be short-lived since I have the MRI next Thursday at noon and then have to see the urologist the following Friday.  All of this is gearing up towards going into the hospital in October, which I admit, I'm nervous about.  I know it's been said that it takes about the same amount of time as a colonoscopy - which I've had and will need to do again next summer - but the whole ordeal is just hard to digest.  No one wants to have medical procedures or stay in a hospital.  

I'll continue to focus on my diet; working out and keeping my stress levels as low as possible in an attempt to once again bring down my PSA level.  And I will keep trying to maintain positive thoughts as the surgery date draws closer.

Vacation... all I ever wanted (redux again!)

Less than two weeks to go until vacation.  Our dear friend, Sheena, has the keys and the only items left to take care of for her stay at our apartment is to grocery shop and (hopefully) refill our laundry card (an unwanted/unnecessary inconvenience and headache).  My suitcase is packed but I still want to go over everything to make sure that I don't take non-necessities and don't forget essentials!

Another regular doctor's appointment this Saturday; an MRI in September and the aquablation procedure is now scheduled for October 10th.  Even though it's only a one-night stay in the hospital, knowing I have to have a catheter in me for almost 5 days afterwards makes me VERY uneasy and uncomfortable.  I will again "interrogate" my urologist when I see him in September as to why I would be sent home with one, since all information I've read has said it's removed when a patient is sent home.

Nonetheless, at least we also have the Paul Weller concert to look forward to in September, as well.  I have a strange feeling this may be one of the last concerts I attend - simply because I can only enjoy seated venues and just about everyone else has now retired.  Funny thing is that I would never have equated the word "retired" with musicians, but this is the march of time.

The way things have been - not just personally, but in the global sense - I don't think I have any firm answers or clear way forward except to keep the world (not reality) at arm's length and focus on me, Liz and our personal orbit.  Rationality dictates to try and find a happy and healthy balance, and I think that is the only option.

I've realized that aging doesn't offer clear-cut solutions but shows the overall map of contradictions - leaving us to try and navigate the waters as best we can and only for ourselves.