Dana
I posted on your other post. But then I thought I would respond on this too. Please take a deep breath.... now .... let it out slowly. That's good. You need your strength and sanity now.... more than ever.
The RC(Radical Cystectomy) is big time surgery indeed. The are going to remove the Bad Bladder and the prostate. The Dr. will take a part of the small intestine and make a new(neo)bladder with it. He(or she) will also replumb the rest of the system (bladder humor) This is the beginning of the rest of a cancer free life!
The hospital stay will be anywhere from 7 to 15 days. There will be a short stay in ICU, as they will want to watch over him for a while. he should be standing the day after surgery. he should also start trying to pass gas as soon as possible. Totally offensive outside the hospital.....Totally a goal, in the hospital.
Walking... Walking... Walking. This gets the juices moving and the intestines woken up. During your hospital stay, you won't eat much of anything. I lost a good amount of weight.... then gained most of it back the next year. But, the good news is .....you won't be hungry.
Keep a good attitude during your stay, and when you get home. This is My key to recovery. There Will be setbacks.... Your attitude will pull you through. So, make sure you have a good one. Your Dr. will also try a little harder if he knows you have the will to live. So..... have that will to live!
When you get home... We'll talk again. This is when the real work begins. Just get through the surgery and get out of the hospital. Make sure to make nice with the nursing staff... they are not housekeepers..... they know more about your condition than the Dr. and they can make your recovery start out right. I do indeed owe them the key to my recovery.
I have my best wishes out there for you.
George