Shelly:The day before your RC you will do a colon cleanse (and not eat) much as you would do for a colonoscopy, so don’t plan to have an evening out, unless the evening out is in an outhouse! When you awaken from surgery you will have tubes and catheters in places you did not know they could put them, but relax, they do not hurt while in nor when they are eased out. Your discomfort will be well managed by meds and will not be bad at all. Walk as soon as you can and as much as you can in spite of feeling woozy. Do not eat until they tell you (usually a few days later once the bowels indicate they are awake) and when you start go slow and in small amounts. Rest, pamper yourself, walk, drink, rest, walk, pamper yourself, walk…well you get the picture. Learn what you can while in hospital from the nurses; it will serve you well at home though you will likely get home visits as well, as needed. You may not notice improvement day by day but you certainly will week by week. Take care of your bowels – prune juice, stool softeners, laxatives, whatever it takes. Have a talk with the uro or nurse about this, but do not let it get out of hand once home. And keep us posted. We may be able to hug electronically as needed and offer encouragement. All the best.
Greg
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