The recovery

I had my surgery just over 2 weeks ago and am now feeling much stronger again. The actual experience in hospital was much as expected, although I was "out" for considerably longer than I anticipated. I went into hospital early evening on the Wednesday and nothing much happened until 6 am Thurday, when I was woken, given an enama and told to shower etc. The surgeon and anaesthetist came to see me and at 8 am I was taken down to the theatre area. By now I had labels on both my wrist and an ankle and was repeatedly asked to confirm my name, date of birth etc. Why on two limbs I have no idea, perhaps if they decided to remove one, but clearly they were taking no chances about making sure they had the right guy. I had needles inserted into veins on both hands which then went quite cold, but I remained awake and aware of everything around me. The next thing I knew I was in the recovery room. I had no recollection at all of how or when I went to sleep, nor of anything at all about the operation itself. It was by now around 2 pm so that was about 5 hours of my life which went totally missing. I was kept in the recovery area until about 5 pm, with frequent checks on blood pressure and oxygen levels, which it seems were lower than normal, hence the delay in sending me back. It did not seem so long so I guess I was drifting in and out during that time.
At around 5 pm I was moved back to the ward and Connie was there to see me. It was only then that I realised just how many tubes were still connected. I was receiving fluids via a drip, oxygen via a mask, had a drain inside my tummy going to a bottle beside the bed and a catheter, well you know where that goes. I felt OK and that I was making intelligent and amusing conversation. Connie tells me that I kept going to sleep, slurring my words and talking nonesense! Connie went home at around 8 pm and I dozed off and on all night, receiving frequent visits from the nurses to check blood pressure etc. I had my first cup of tea too!
At around 8 am on Friday a specialist nurse came and removed the drain from my tummy, which was a most uncomfortable sensation, and the drip disconnected. I was then sat in a chair and given some breakfast, my first meal since Wednesday. After this I was encouraged to walk lengths of the ward and told I had to manage 10 before being allowed home. The rest of the day dragged by, I managed to read a little, the checks continued and the oxygen was decreased. The surgeon visited to tell me that he had not been able to spare any nerves, as the tumour was well defined on both sides of my prostate. This in turn means a significant side effect. I went home at about 5 pm, making slow progress to the car and feeling every bump on the way home.
Now I had to manage my catheter myself, and found this actually pretty simple. I slept like a baby that first night, although subsequent nights were less restful. I was on high doses of pain killers at first but gradually reduced them, although coming off one too quickly produced a reaction which gave me one bad day. Gradually I got stronger and less sleepy. The wounds on my tummy are really insignificant. Just 6 tiny incisions, covered by tape, which has now come off. All the big stuff was inside. Brilliant!
A week later I went back for the catheter to be removed, which was unpleasant but bearable. I was kept there for a few hours to check that my bladder was working and then sent home. This though is the biggest problem, so far. The operation has caused me an almost total loss of bladder control and so far it has only recovered to a very limited degree. I really hate this, for up to now my body has always functioned really well and it makes me feel my age for the first time. I am determined though to get control back and are trying to remember to do my "pelvic floor" exercises every hour. They are a hell of a drag though.
I am now back doing stuff though. I was doing some DIY today, have cut the lawn and been to the beach. Not too bad for 2 weeks after major surgery.
My next milestone is in early July when I re-visit Addenbrookes. I will be told the result of the pathology tests on my prostate and have my PSA re-checked. Provided it is low enough nothing more will be needed. If it even slightly high I will then have to have radiotherapy as this will indicate that there has been a micro escape of cancerous cells. They will also check my continence and will discuss with me how best to deal with my loss of erections. If they had spared the nerves then "blue pills" might do the trick but without them they cannot work. More drastic measures are required. I have some details already, and it sounds pretty unpleasant, so I await this discussion with some aprehension.
Thats it! I survived the op and am recovering. With luck my cancer has gone 100% and I can live an almost normal life. Still don't recommend it though so please keep a good check on yourself.