During and After My R/IC Surgery: I Made it to the Finish Line

My surgery date for a radical cystectomy/ileal conduit (RC/IC) arrived quickly. The weeks prior were a flurry of appointments, pre-surgery testing, and keeping my mind occupied elsewhere. I still have not decided which is more stressful – the fear of the unknown or the fear of the known. Does too much knowledge of your upcoming procedures create more stress? Personally, I prefer to remain ignorant of the details.

Surgery day arrived

On September 30, 2014, after arriving for my late morning surgery, prep work was completed and I was good to go. Two of my daughters, Jill and Jayme, who live locally accompanied me. I am certain they were more stressed than me, but I did not realize it at the time. I spoke to the surgeon and anesthesiologist, and by 11:30 AM, I was on my way to a long and life-changing surgery. I remember nothing else until I arrived at my private room from post-op at 9 pm. I felt surprisingly good but was exhausted.

The day after surgery

Jill stayed at the hospital that night. Around 6 AM Wednesday morning, the team of surgeons and other medical professionals arrived. One of the first questions they asked was if I had been up and walking yet. Heck, on a normal day I am not up and walking around at 6 AM, so...nope. I was hooked up to a night bag and had a few small tubes going in other places also. As the days went on, these additional "options," as I referred to them, were removed. By Friday, I had only an IV and my night bag.

Feeling relieved

I must say that the first emotion I felt after I was finally out of the anesthetic haze was tremendous relief. In my mind, I was certain that not only would I be a survivor but that my cancer was gone. That positive feeling rarely leaves me when cancer is the topic or is on my mind.

How was bladder removal surgery, really? Not as bad as expected

I can honestly say that my pain post-op was limited to minimal abdominal pain when moving from sitting to standing and vice versa. That was it. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised because I expected much more. I was off major pain meds by day two and was up and walking 4 times a day and up to 1/2 mile each time.

My appetite

Due to the procedures greatly affecting my digestive system, it was necessary for me to pass gas before having solid food. As the medications reduced my appetite, I did not miss food. On Friday, I finally reached that goal. That meant real food as my reward but my appetite was still not back. I settled for ice cream with the night nurse.

Complete exhaustion

My complete exhaustion made it difficult to watch TV or carry on a conversation for any length of time. My doctor required me to sit in a chair and not in bed all day. He said it would help speed up my recovery, and I was all for that. I requested only family during my short hospital stay. I didn't want to struggle to have a conversation or need to get dressed in my own clothes and be sociable. I knew there would be plenty of time when I was home in recovery mode.

Getting better every day 

By Saturday evening, I was feeling so much better than I would have expected only a few days after a major surgery. I had a small meal and was watching local college football on my iPad. I had earphones in and did not remember that I was not at the UT stadium cheering my team on. One of the nurses came in to see what the racket was (my cheering is racket?!). She ended up sitting and watching the game with me until just before midnight. We had ice cream and celebrated the beginning of my life as a bag lady. The worst was definitely over.

Heading home

On Sunday morning, my doctor arrived to release me. I was walking 2 miles a day and doing great, and it was time to go home. My post-surgical follow-up was scheduled for a week later.

Though my RC/IC surgery clearly was major and a life-changing procedure, I have never had regrets. Ever. As strange as it may sound, I have always referred to this as the biggest speed bump of my life. It was not all rainbows and unicorns but the challenges after have been minimal.

The best news was that 5 years post-op I was officially declared cancer-free! P.S. I started my new job 27 days post-op.