9 December: Urology Appointment

Today was the day we met with the urology nurse for pre-op boot camp, part 1.  We discussed a number of issues related to post-prostatectomy life.  This included a review of what is done during a prostatectomy, what the side effects often are, and how we may cope with those.  The nurse showed us the various incontinence products and made suggestions about those.  We learned about the catheter and how we should deal with it.  We had some training re pelvic muscle exercises (Kegel).  We had the choice of having these explained face to face or with hands-on techniques.  I was willing to do the full meal deal.  Over the course of my life, I've had DRE's (digital rectal examinations) by six doctors, two female and four male, so I no longer object to have my innards visited by medical professionals.  This was painless and effortless.  I now have homework for the next month, doing the Kegel home program.  Things I noted- cut down on caffeine, enjoy a cup of cranberry juice daily (I already do that), increase water intake post-surgery.  It's okay to have red wine if it doesn't bother me- happy hour can still be happy hour!
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Here's a recipe we got for "Get up and go Cookies"- (we haven't tried them yet, but we will)
1/2 cup margarine or butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup prune puree
1 egg
1 cup applesauce
2 cups all bran cereal
11/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp cinnamon or spice you like
Optional:  raisins, chocolate chips, sunflower seeds, nuts, whatever you like in cookies
In a large bowl, cream margarine with sugar.  Add egg, then prune puree, then applesauce and mix well.  Add dry ingredients.  Mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls onto 3 cookie sheets - 12 cookies per sheet.
Bake in 350 oven for about 15 minutes.  Cool on pans for a few minutes and then remove.  Freeze cookies and start with eating 2 cookies a day..
Prune puree:  a 375 gm bag- about 50 prunes.  Put in small pot with 1 cup of water.  Heat on stove top until hote.  Cool and mash.  Store unused puree in fridge.  You can add grated lemon rind while cooking for added flavour.  Or mash pitted prunes from can with some of the juice or use baby food prune puree.
For lower fat, use 1/4 cup margarine and increase applesauce to 11/4 cups.
Use 2 egg whites or egg replacement products instead of one whole egg. 
Drink plenty of water to help these cookies to work.