TURP versus TUNA

**Psyborg** · 06-18-2012, 11:11 PM

Great news on the sleeping pooch DRZ

**drz** · 06-19-2012, 02:18 AM

I also just got my last ANCA score and it also hit the normal range for first time since diagnosis. For me the ANCA seems to correlate fairly well with SED and CRP values so provides another measure of how well the GPA is being controlled.

**drz** · 08-02-2012, 01:28 PM

I had the TURP surgery today. The experts agreed on the electric loop procedure since it leaves the smallest amount of dead tissue behind so it should have lowest risk of Waking the Wegs dog. They had me stop azathioprine two days before the surgery to reduce risk of infection and to resume day after. Day of surgery to hold vitamins, fish oil, and lisinopril blood pressure meds. I can now get off the Flomax generic med I took to help me empty my bladder. If things go well for next few months they might want me to try tapering Azathioprine and see what happens. If that all goes well then I will taper the prednisone.

I had spinal block instead of general anesthesia this time and it seem much easier but it takes longer in recovery room to get your legs back so you can go home. The original plan was to keep me over night but surgeon said the surgery went so well and bleeding from electric loop procedure was much less than expected so he wanted me to go home to reduce risk on getting another infection. I have had MSRA and vancomycin resistant infections there previously so they take extra precautions in dealing with me. Everyone wears those disposable gowns, slippers, gloves etc anytime they enter area or contact me so I got to leave the hospital a few hours after surgery and am staying with sibling nearer the hospital. I get the catheter removed tomorrow and it is a real pain carrying the storage bag around so I will be glad to get rid of it. I had one in for several weeks after my first and only CTX IV treatment when first diagnosed but had forgotten what a hassle the bags are to empty and clean. The pain and recovery of several weeks to several months will begin after catheter is remove.

The good news is it is the last of four operations in past year since remission almost 14 months ago so I hope to take a long break from OR rooms. The hearing implant and cataract surgeries made this surgery much easier since I could hear with hearing aids and see without glasses. The hearing aids whistled and shrieked anytime it touched the bed or pillow but at least I could hear most of what staff said to me. No one wanted to touch the aids so they ignored the noise and left them in whole time. The noise didn't bother me till I woke up.

**mishb** · 08-02-2012, 09:51 PM

Wow that certainly is good news and how wonderful to think that very soon you might be able to taper down those horrible meds.

You are doing so well from when this all started to now.....excellent job

**renidrag** · 08-02-2012, 10:16 PM

Great news drz.
Dale

**chrisTIn@** · 08-02-2012, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by drz

...I hope to take a long break from OR rooms..

I hope so too, drz!
I wish you a soon recovery...

Originally Posted by drz

... The hearing aids whistled and shrieked anytime it touched the bad or pillow but at least I could hear most of what staff said to me.
No one wanted to touch the aids so they ignored the noise and left them in whole time. The noise didn't bother me till I woke up.

Quite bizarre...

Luckily it did'n't bother you till you woke up. Were you able to put the noise down immediately?
Seems an odd way to wake up from surgery.
But the important thing is, that everything else went well.
Sure hope the Wegsdog stays asleep, and you will be able to taper the meds eventually.
Wonderfull news!

Again, get well soon!

**Sangye** · 08-03-2012, 02:57 AM

I'm SO happy to hear it's done and it went well, drz! Glad you can get off one of your meds and hopefully aza and pred in the coming months. Rest up, friend.

**KathyB** · 08-06-2012, 02:25 AM

What a great story, drz! I'm just catching up on the TURP surgery thing. WOW!! Sounds like you are on the path to recovery. It's also great hearing about the special care and accommodations you have received. You must be pleased! Here's to your continued improvement!!

KB