Rich just got home after a LONG day at the hospital. I'm glad he took my advice and went in a little later than everyone else. Bill had to be at UVA at 5:30 am. He had been on a restricted diet for two full days prior to surgery, no solid foods, just clear fluids and a gallon of laxative drink....yuck! His entire system had to be clean since they would be using part of his intestines to reconstruct his bladder.
After 10 hours of surgery Bill was finally moved right next to the operating room for recovery at 7:00 this evening. Rich and Carol were able to go in and visit him close to 9:00 pm. They said that he was extremely thirsty and bloated, but doing okay. He was under anesthesia for 10 hours, so I imagine his throat is extremely dry. He continues to have an epidural pump this evening because the pain would be unbearable otherwise.
The surgery itself went well other than minor complications due to Bill's belly fat and umbilical cord hernia. Dr. T removed Bill's bladder, prostate, and lymph nodes. During the surgery his lymph nodes were dissected and sent to pathology. The results should be in before his stay in the hospital is over. Dr. T used part of Bill's colon to reconstruct his bladder. He will be using a catheter for some time before his "new" bladder is functional. They are going to keep Bill in the room next to the operating room this evening because his heart rate is low. Hopefully he will be moved into ICU tomorrow, where he will stay for 7-10 days. He will then be home for a 6-8 week recovery.
I know the 16 hour wait at the hospital was excruciating for Carol, Randy and Jo (Bill's brother and his wife). Hopefully they will get some sleep this evening before returning to UVA in the morning. We continue to keep Bill in our prayers as he enters a lengthy recovery. I'll post an update tomorrow.
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