VSG Maintenance Group
02/07/19, Thursday
Good News: 1. Down a whole pound today, so only tenths of a pound to break the decade barrier. 2. Eating was completely sugar free and low carb all day. I even had no trouble or feelings of temptation when Ron ate a ginormous piece of chocolate layer cake (I'll get to that in a bit....) 3. I did a kick butt lower body workout last night: Kettlebell swings, Kettlebell squats, barbell side lunges, seated leg curls, and exercise ball knee to chest tuck.
Sobering News (not necessarily bad news....): Ron had a uroscopy yesterday. Good news is his prostate is not nearly as large as the urologist feared it might be. Not so good news is that Ron has pretty significant thickening of the bladder wall. The thickening of the wall can be attributed to several things including cancer and benign tumors. Luckily, cancer and tumors were not seen during the uroscopy. The thickening is most likely attributable to the obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate. Over time as the prostate closes off the urethra, the bladder has to work harder to empty the bladder. Essentially it is building muscle. Well, the thicker the wall becomes the more difficult it becomes to empty the bladder of urine. I liken it to an overbuilt body builder who moves awkwardly because his muscles are so over done.
Options presented: 1. leave catheter in indefinitely. No medical issues there and urologist is perfectly happy to accommodate that option. 2. Have prostate reduction surgery to open the blocked urethra allowing for easier flow of urine, in turn letting the bladder function with much less effort, or 3. Have more definitive tests done in a few weeks to see if there is any significant healing of the bladder wall (unlikely), if cancer or benign tumors are lurking currently unseen (also unlikely). Ron asked for more definitive testing, which I think is a very good idea. The more information the better to make a decision of this magnitude.
Options 1 and 2 both have sexual dysfunctions as side effects, but those really are the only options at present. The surgery would render him unable to ********* which is of emotional significance to most men. Yet, the catheter also disables him from participating fully in sexual activity. I am curious to find out if medically there is a difference between ****** (the physical sensation of the pleasure that accompanies ***********) and the actual *********** of seminal fluid. If one could have the sensation of ****** and *********** without the actual *********** I'd choose that in an instant. It's not my choice in the end, so I have to be supportive of the process. My heart goes out to him. I get that neither option is ideal and come with major impact on his/our life going forward.
After working out I went to the store and got him a card and since he mentioned wanting to have a big piece of chocolate cake to ease his depressed mood, I got him that, too. Came home, put the card and the cake on the counter and just left it there for him to find. He did. It made him weepy happy and I think it eased his mood.
This all relates back to the food thing because I feel pretty darned accomplished for adulting my way through yesterday afternoon and evening. I was logical, concerned, loving, able to put my own thinking on the back burner for the moment and NOT EAT over all of it!
Here's to adulting!
Yes, you did real good, Devon.
I agree that Ron's decision seemed like the right one -- ready (with all available info), aim (at the right target), fire is always the best process. Bless his heart. And that's the OTHER way to say that, and it actually means: "That sucks. I'm sure hoping things turn around for him soon."
ANN 5'5", AGE 74, HW 235.6 (BMI 39.2), SW 216, GW 150, CW 132, BMI 22
POUNDS LOST: Pre-op -20, M1 -10, M2 -11, M3 -10, M4 -10, M5 -7, M6 -5, M7 -6, M8 -4, M9 -4,
NEXT 10 MOS. -12, TOTAL -100 LBS.
Wow! That is a lot to deal with for Ron and you! Praying the choice he makes has the least amount of negative impact for the two of you!
5' 4" tall, HW: 242, SW:215.4 Weight Loss - pre-op: - 26.6, M1: -15.4, M2: -16, M3: -11.4, M4: -11.2, M5: -12.2, M6: -7.4, M7: -7.8, M8: -2.0 Goal of 130 lbs. reached at 8 months, 2 days post-op!
Tough choices. DH can't really function partially because of BPH and partially because of dementia. I think the loss of intimacy (not sex but closeness), was the most difficult for us. But in different ways for each of us... Difficult to grapple with and understand how much is physical vs. emotional (as in many things).
Liz 5'3" HW: 219 SW: 185 GW: 125 LW: 113 Desired maintenance range: 120-125 CW: 119ish
We spent one last lovely day in Florida yesterday, and made our way to the airport around 6 pm. Minnesota wanted to show us who was boss, so our plane arrived 2 hours late from the turn around (Minneapolis, Tampa,Minneapolis), meaning an icy, expensive uber ride home at 1:30am. Luckily my sleep tank was very full, so 4 hours of sleep and school today went fine. It's been snowing since 7am, slippery and icy. It's going to stop tonight, and instead, start blowing around in blizzard like conditions, while the temperature plummets below 0 again. Our daughter is flying from Boston tonight to attend a friend's wedding this weekend, the first of the hs friends to get married. Not too optimistic about her flight arriving tonight. Could be another long night.... Minnesota I love your many fine attributes, but this weather nonsense is more bold north than I need!!!
