The Adventure Continues...

[DDT (12)]

Well, the revelations just keep coming fast and furious! First, one of the good discoveries was a dietary anomaly. See, the usual rule of thumb for ‘healthy living’ is that if something tastes good, you should spit it out! Anything that tastes good, looks good, or smells good can’t possibly be good for you. Well, I now know there is at least one exception to that…

The first meal I was served post-surgery included a bowl of grits! There was also some chicken broth, yogurt, and a long overdue cup of coffee! Nothing that would stick to your ribs or anything, but at least it was something I could shove into my mouth and fantasize about…

Now, make no mistake about it, and meaning no disrespect here whatsoever, but, whoever assembled that repast for this mighty hungry recent rider… well, they ain’t from around here… Nope, there was a packet of salt but no pepper, and NO butter! There were two packets of sugar, but… I just ain’t cut from that bolt of cloth.

Hard to imagine that, I know, but mercifully one of the nurses is a good ol’ southern gal and she understood… Yep, she went and found me a packet of butter, and life took an immediate turn for the better. No pepper ever appeared, but I did manage to muddle along anyway… I could have sure used a few slices of think-cut bacon, alas… sigh… Why is it that we can never poop when we really need to?

Once discharged from the hospital, Jerry drove me back to his house near Cookeville, TN. Well, this poor guy, who has coached me so well, offered me the hospitality of his home, even exposed his girlfriend to my crude manners and lack of social skills, had been with me throughout this whole episode… He’d driven me over to Nashville, sat with me through all the discussions, instructions, and presentation of the famous gown.

He’d waited patiently for the surgery to conclude so he could be the one spoken to and updated by the surgeon. He even notified some folks for me that were particularly close and wanted to know the outcome: daughter, land-lady, sister, good friends… He was with me through recovery, and then he’d spent the night in my room helping me any way he could and trying to grab some sleep when he could in both of the relatively uncomfortable chairs… No chair is a good substitute for a bed!

Anyway, we were driving back, and we decided to stop at a Cracker Barrel so he could eat (he hadn’t eaten anything either!)… and, so I could watch… Dining, like sex, really isn’t much of a spectator sport, but whatchagonado? Good ol’ Jerry opted for a breakfast selection… and he ordered grits to go with it! He then donated his grits to this starving wanderer, so my second meal consisted of grits entirely! At least this was a positive start…

He and Mural went shopping and brought back all kinds of stuff I could eat… Jell-O, yogurt, grits, even some bananas (being optimistic I’ll eventually poot and poop!). They also stocked up on juices and the like… Man, I’m absolutely overwhelmed at the hospitality and generosity of these two fine folks! They’ve been extremely patient and accommodating, and I know I’ll never be able to fully repay their kindness, but… I’ll try!

This whole arrangement is rather curious. I’d moved back to Florida two years or so ago, but I’d liked my doctors in Montgomery, AL, so I decided to just continue using them. The inconvenience wasn’t all that difficult, so… Well, when my urologist determined I had an aggressive form of prostate cancer, he recommended a specialist at Vanderbilt University Hospital in Nashville, TN. My urologist had had the same condition himself a couple of years beforehand, and that was the person he’d turned to… Pretty good recommendation, I thought!

Well, the logistics of living six hundred miles away presented several obvious challenges, and my land-lady and I were working through those. We figured we’d have to drive up, get through the surgery stuff, then hole-up in a motel until the catheter could be removed… Then we’d linger around until I was up for the ride back home… not a very appealing prospect… Then my phone rang…

Big Wolf had called to let me know that he’d become aware of my situation, and that he thought it would be much easier if I just stayed with him and Mural until some point when I was ready to travel back to central Florida… He’d done everything involved with his surgery also in Nashville from here, so he was fully aware of all the aspects of that, but he also knew it could be done fairly easily, and it would be much easier and simpler than trying to do this from Florida! The invitation also included my land-lady.

For several reasons, we decided it would be better if she did not accompany me even though she’d wanted to, so that’s how that came about. I’m here, and I’m being very well cared for! The folks at Vandy are top drawer, and my hosts here near Cookeville are as good as they come! There are several ways all of this could have worked out; but, by the way things are unfolding, I’m convinced this is the best possible outcome! All things considered, I’m mighty proud to be here!

DDT

[Wizzard]

Great outcome Bruce. That's what friends are for. I got a feeling a lot of folks here would do that for you. Look forward to seeing you down the road. 

[..]

Hats off to Cookeville!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Most excellent 

[DirtyDan]

Best part of the hospital.....

Leaving !

 

Dan

[DDT (12)]

Randy,

I completely agree! I've met some mighty fine folks since ALI adopted me, and they are all over the place! Throughout Canada and the US, and although she and I haven't been abroad together, even a few from other countries, as well. Amazing, to say the least, and I could go on and on about it... but I strongly suspect you know exactly what I'm talking about here... Yep, as things look right this minute, it appears I will definitely be seeing you down the road... Probably this summer, too! Thanks for the always positive response...

DDT



Rob,

Thanks! You've probably heard me say this before, but, "There are most likely more fortunate folks in this world than I... but I've never met one!!!"

DDT



Paul,

Indeed! Wonderful folks who have taken me in and helped me over this speed-bump. Life is so good, and it constantly reminds me just how great it can be.

DDT



Dan,

How right you are! I'm mighty glad I don't have all the experience you do, but... I do get your point!!!

DDT

[f6john]

Hats off to everyone involved. Friends like that are a blessing!

[old2soon]

         Last time I saw the like of this board-well sumpin similar-I was wearing the Uniform of a U S Navy Sailor. Glad yer on da mend.  Won't tell ya I had bacon and eggs and biscuits and coffee this mornin!  Yesterday mornin it were biscuits and gravy.  Oh and fresh coffee! Damnit-sposed ta NOT tell ya!  RIDE SAFE.

[Thunderbolt]

Good friends are few and far between.  Glad you are being well taken care of up there Bruce.

[Bigwolf]

Great outcome Bruce. That's what friends are for. I got a feeling a lot of folks here would do that for you. Look forward to seeing you down the road. 

That’s what I said!  Such friends seem to be in short supply in much of this world but they are definitely not in short supply in the VRCC.

  With that said, the truth is that neither Mural or I feel we have, or are, doing anything so great.  We are helping Bruce because we consider him a great friend.  We would not feel right if we did not offer to help a friend through tough times.  This is Particularly true since we are both retired and live within 90 miles of the hospital where the surgery took place.

Besides all of that, we get a front row seat to some great “Bug Killer” stories for several days in a row.  Who would be fool enough to not jump at a chance for that?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Great outcome Bruce. That's what friends are for. I got a feeling a lot of folks here would do that for you. Look forward to seeing you down the road. 

That’s what I said!  Such friends seem to be in short supply in much of this world but they are definitely not in short supply in the VRCC.

  With that said, the truth is that neither Mural or I feel we have, or are, doing anything so great.  We are helping Bruce because we consider him a great friend.  We would not feel right if we did not offer to help a friend through tough times.  This is Particularly true since we are both retired and live within 90 miles of the hospital where the surgery took place.

Besides all of that, we get a front row seat to some great “Bug Killer” stories for several days in a row.  Who would be fool enough to not jump at a chance for that?

you got the better end of the deal. But just the same, we do appreciate what you and Mural are doing. 

[Daniel Meyer]

There were two packets of sugar, but… I just ain’t cut from that bolt of cloth.

BWAHAHAHAHA! I hear ya! Frankly I think the folks that are, get their grits in that little tear-off package that ya just add water to and stir...we got some by accident once...too late to correct it when we figured it out so we tried...

Me: "It's not grits..."
Wife: "No...."
Me: "Glue?"
Wife: "That would be an insult to glues everywhere..."
Me: "Well I ain't wasting my butter OR bacon on it."
Wife: "See? There's a reason I married you..."
Me *looking at the package* "Well THIS explains it! It says, 'Made in Chicago'!"
Wife *a good southern gal, laughing, while trying to scrape the weirdness out of the bowl and into the trash*: "And THEY think they won the war!

On the poop front...normally not discussed in the same space as food...but hey, sugar on instant grits...doesn't really qualify does it...

Anyway...hope it happens sooner for you...but what I hate MORE than the injuries/etc that require the anesthesia...is that it usually takes me about 6 or 7 DAYS before that particular system reboots... ugh...

You may be surrounded by saints! Glad it's worked out so well. Heal up! ...and I hope everything comes out okay

[DIGGER]

In 1998 I crashed my BMW K1000 in a curve and broke 5 ribs.   X rays showed ribs sticking all over the place.   I asked the doc if the ribs would heal back together if we didn't operate and he said "Yes they will heal.....if you stay in the same room with them."  ha.    Back to the story.....I was in a lot of pain but my biggest problem was pooping.   Without your ribs you can't push.   It became a major obstacle that caused me more misery than the broken bones.   My heart goes out to ya.

[John Schmidt]

Well it's sure good to see your typing fingers are up to snuff. As for those folks taking care of you, such folks are a blessing to humanity. I'm sure they're not looking for any accolades so I won't go there, I'm just glad to hear it's all working out for you....well....almost working out! 

I do have a question Bruce. My urologist told me anyone over the age of mid-late 60's they won't do surgery, only radiation. Did you have a complete removal or just partial? My guy wants to do a biopsy next month and frankly I'm hesitant simply because I'm not having any symptoms or discomfort and, much to his surprise, I still don't have to get up at night except to help Rita. That in itself can be trying as you can imagine. She doesn't think I should do the biopsy unless I start to have some discomfort. I don't know if that's advisable or not, part of me wants to know.....is it or is it not cancer.

[DDT (12)]

John,

I wish I could provide you with the answers you seek. Each case is different and therefore choices would be different. I was told the same thing about surgery after mid-60s, 70s, but the procedure I received was the 'robotic prostatectomy'... Not as invasive as traditional surgery, and I was released from the hospital the day following my total prostate removal. Regarded as 'outpatient surgery' I was also told. Age, of course, is a major consideration, but it is not the sole determinate.

Had I had the slow growing type of cancer, the recommendation from my urologist might have been to monitor for a while, and the decision about surgery postponed indefinitely.  I was diagnosed following an MRI with the aggressive variety of cancer, however, so further testing was indicated. That was necessary to verify the type, the extent of cancer in the prostate, and to attempt to ascertain if the cancer had spread beyond the prostate itself or was still contained within the prostate. The results indicated it had not spread, so the robotic surgery was recommended... and I jumped on it!

My rule of thumb concerning cancer is, when in doubt, yank it out! My own personal experience observing friends and family has led me to conclude that cancer is nothing to fool around with, and wishful thinking won't get you very far... ignoring it is out of the question! It is true, according to all I have been told, that the slow growing types of cancer are often slow enough, that something else will get you before that ever does... As Detn8er told me, "Most men die with prostate cancer, but few die because of it."

The only way to know which one you might have is to do the MRI. If that indicates the aggressive type, then some other 'triangulation testing' with an MRI I don't understand, and possibly some other testing would be the next step... I had all of that, because the MRI indicated I had the aggressive kind, so delay really wasn't an option in my case.

They do put you to sleep for the MRI/Triangulation thing (I had an MRI only before that that indicated the next level test would be necessary), and they do remove tissue for a biopsy. I had no ill effects at all, although I did pass a small amount of 'rose colored' urine the first time or two I did that following the procedure. No discomfort that I recall, and that has led to all that has followed.

I'm glad things have gone the way they have for me. Had I had the 'slow growing type', chances are the removal would not have been approved, and I would have been left to worry about that from here on out. As it is, by testing early and thoroughly, it appears mine has been caught in time, and I stand an excellent chance of being cancer free! Of course, I won't know with any certainty until the full lab reports from this procedure are in, and I get another PSA test in about six weeks.

The surgery I had was uncomfortable, inconvenient, and there was some pain afterward. However, it was very manageable, and my recovery has been remarkably swift... Normal, I've been told, but it definitely has exceeded my expectations! I'll tell you not to worry too much about that, but you'll probably be like me and worry anyway...

I don't know what might be best for you. The only way to know, though, is to have the tests and let the results of each of those guide you to the next step. Best of luck with your deliberations and with the outcomes, my friend!

DDT

[DIGGER]

My father and grandfather died of prostrate cancer.    Me and my brothers  get annual checks for prostrate..  I am 68, my older brother is 70 and my younger brother 62.  So far we are good to go.    Prostate cancer is very curable in the early stages and very uncurable in the later stages....latter stages being when you start having symptoms.  That is why men over 40 should get an annual check. 

[Rams]

Great outcome Bruce. That's what friends are for. I got a feeling a lot of folks here would do that for you. Look forward to seeing you down the road.  

That’s what I said!  Such friends seem to be in short supply in much of this world but they are definitely not in short supply in the VRCC.

  With that said, the truth is that neither Mural or I feel we have, or are, doing anything so great.  We are helping Bruce because we consider him a great friend.  We would not feel right if we did not offer to help a friend through tough times.  This is Particularly true since we are both retired and live within 90 miles of the hospital where the surgery took place.

Besides all of that, we get a front row seat to some great “Bug Killer” stories for several days in a row.  Who would be fool enough to not jump at a chance for that?

Truth be told, there are quite a few good folks in this Valkyrie neighborhood but a special thumbs up to and about Jerry.    As many here know, I crashed my Valkyrie last September.   I am still not recovered from that crash.   I was scheduled to have another surgery right before Bruce's surgery but had committed to transporting another member's Valkyrie to Tulsa, Attic Rat.   There was no way I could load or secure this Valkyrie by myself safely.  Jerry drove almost 4 hours to my place and helped me load, secure and then accompany me on this three day journey.    

Yah, there are some special folks here.  

Continuing to keep Bruce in my thoughts and prayers.  Sure hope he gets that poop he's been striving for.   But, I'm sure if anyone can start some crap, it's Bruce.  

Rams

[Ken Tarver]

Bruce, so glad you are doing well as can be expected. I had biopsy of the same organ recently and it was negative. That thing been enlarged for number of years and I had several UTI’s so urologist felt that biopsy was needed to feel safe that was no cancer.
Continue the road to recovery Bruce, bacon awaits those who are patient.

John S....I’m no doctor, but I would recommend following you docs advice and have the biopsy, prostate cancer is sneaky.

Ken

[threevalks]

GREAT

[Bronxboy]

Great to hear u are on the mend my friend  We are blessed to be in the company of such a Great Group of people. Looking forward to seeing u on The Road Again.