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robotics or not

User
Posted 19 Nov 2014 at 22:36

I was diagnosed , early onset & localised  following my brother's diagnosis , he has had surgery, robotics not available unless private health ins, in the Rep of Ireland, & is recovering well,I was happily steering a course towards "ordinary surgery" here in Northern Ireland because no 1 robotics haven't got here yet & no 2 I was advised that "funding would probably be an issue" if I decided to go across the pond for treatment .Met my surgeon yesterday to discuss operation & he threw a curve ball by suggesting no 1 robotics would probably have a better outcome for me & no 2 funding shouldn't be an issue .The timescale would be approx. 6 wks behind his surgery has anyone out there experienced having to travel long distances for surgery , have found the Devon lad conversation helpful

User
Posted 20 Nov 2014 at 13:38

Rob

 

There was a conversation "Awaiting Robotic Surgery!" which dealt with traveling long distances for treatment.

Can someone explain how to search for a conversation, the search boxes either found nothing or send me to a page of programming codes.

The conversation was by Jacey.

 

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 20 Nov 2014 at 13:46

Hi Chris

Is this the one

http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t9992-Awaiting-Robotic-Surgery#post120668

 

Si

Don't deny the diagnosis; try to defy the verdict
User
Posted 20 Nov 2014 at 21:07

thanks for the pointers Chris & si ness , having spoken to my nurse & done a little trawling on the net robotics would seem to win out. My surgery would be carried out in Cambridge & as my travel will involve flying & herself & myself are a little worried about the logistics especially after the operation any thoughts out there?

User
Posted 20 Nov 2014 at 22:51

Personally, I wouldn't have wanted any of my men to be treated a long way from home without guarantees about aftercare. We have in the past had members here who realised too late that once their treatment had been undertaken elsewhere, their local health services would not offer any of the essential stuff like ED treatments, incontinence support etc. it would be worth asking your local urology department to confirm whether your ongoing monitoring (you will be having regular PSA tests for at least 10 years after the op and probably for the rest of your life) will be given all their attention, whether you will be flying back to Cambridge for your 6 week and 3 month reviews or whether the surgeon in Cambridge will share ALL your histology and details of the op with your Irish consultant, etc.

I am reminded of Mike who lived in York but was transferred for treatment to Leeds, a tiny 17 miles away. Once discharged from the hospital, he never saw the surgeon again, never received his lab results, the GP tried and failed to get any kind of report and the York team wouldn't pick him back up. A referral for ED was not permitted. A rare but shocking failure and frightening for him and his wife so best to check first that you would not find yourself in this situation.

I imagine that the hospital would give you advice about the increased risks of DVT post-op and any implications of flying so soon after surgery. They could perhaps give you anti-coagulants and show you how to self-inject?

Edited by member 21 Nov 2014 at 19:27  | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 20 Nov 2014 at 22:55

Also worth saying that robotic is not always best and much depends on individual circumstances. My husband chose open for a number of reasons including being young, having had previous abdominal surgery ( the scarring can be a problem), the need to remove some lymph nodes (at our hospital nodes are not removed in keyhole RP although other hospitals seem to do this without issue) and wanting the best chance of regaining sexual function.

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

User
Posted 21 Nov 2014 at 18:57

I agree with Lyn.

I don't think there is any evidence available that suggests long term outcomes are any better with robotic. So why put yourself through the stress of travelling and as Lyn says risking access to proper aftercare

You don't actually say what your staging is. You have probably been told time is on your side. I can only speak from personal experience but I was told I had plenty of time to decide. When they removed my prostate It had started to break out. Of course we are all different but If you have definitely decided on surgery why hang about

Good luck

Bri

User
Posted 22 Nov 2014 at 20:54

 Thanks for all you thoughts .I have been given a specialist nurse locally & both my wife & myself have been assured that I would only have 3 visits to Cambridge I pre op 2 the op & 3 1st appointment after ,anything else both pre & post op being dealt with , ie pre op info about what exercises etc  to do after operation and any follow ups, monitoring etc barring the 1st post op  would be dealt with through herself locally .

So far on our learning curve we have found all, and I mean all, the NHS professionals  we have dealt with to be very upfront about what options are  available to me & true to their word on what the could do & did do for me & we have no reason to doubt the next stage would be the same    

User
Posted 23 Nov 2014 at 11:57
Rob

I had the Da vinci survey in April, have a look at my profile for a brief history. Recovery was quick back at work after four weeks,having a few problems with urine flow but life is almost normal , ED an issue but robot surgeon said very little chance of nerves being spared , open surgeon said "possibly on one side but no guarantees ".

Just some things to think about, a very small percentage of robotic ops have to convert to open. How long are you staying in after the op, most robot ops want you out next day. I think Most airlines would ask for " fit to fly certificate" after medical treatment.

Hope all goes well.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 23 Nov 2014 at 13:54

Just to add a little on the issue of flying.  I was advised not to fly after the RALP.  In fact, we had a holiday already booked and paid for (well before diagnosis) but my op was done two weeks before we were due to travel.  The holiday involved flights to Italy but I was told not to even contemplate flying so soon after the op.  We cancelled and insurance paid up.

 
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