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User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 12:56

Hi all, 

I have posted before and am now approaching the "sharp end" of my experience with the dreaded PC.  I have my pre-op this coming Thursday at Sheffield Hallamshire.  I have two appointments, one with the Urology dept and another with the assessment team.

Was just wondering what is likely to happen then and also if there is a "common" time period between have the assessment and the actual op.  I have a couple of things coming up at the end of this month and the beginning of next month that I could cancel but don't really want to.

When am I likely to find out the date of the op and would I have any say in it or will that have already been decided?   If I have to take whatever date they give me, then of course I will; it will just mean I have to re-arrange a few things.

Would be really grateful if someone could "fill me in" about this.  Many thanks,

 

Dave

 

User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 16:55
Hi Dave

I don't know if there is a standard time frame for this.I had my pre-op three weeks prior to surgery. I imagine that you can turn down an appointment if it is inconvenient but then you don't know how long you might have to wait. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Kevan

User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 17:24

Hi Dave
At my dads assessment he had 3 ECG's ?? Blood tests etc and then had to run on a treadmill uphill for a certain length of time but obviously you can stop if needed, he did manage but was exhausted (he's a fit 71 year old )
After my dads assessment he was told he would have surgery within a six week time frame but then days later received a letter with the date for op within two weeks !!

I hope this helps a little
Viv X

The only time you should look back is to see how far you have come
User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 21:11
At my pre op assessment I already had a date for the op. The nurse was not happy with my bp and I had to make an appointment with my GP to start on medication to lower it. This put back my op by about 3 weeks.

Paul

THE CHILD HAS GROWN, THE DREAM HAS GONE
User
Posted 15 Aug 2016 at 14:39

I think most surgeons would be happy for you to delay the op to fit around existing plans - ours was very keen for us to go off on a holiday first although John wasn't prepared to delay at all :-( If there is a delay in doing the op because of your diary rather than the hospital availability, it doesn't count in their statistics plus it lets them squeeze someone else in :-)

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

User
Posted 15 Aug 2016 at 15:46

Hi Dave

All the very best.  I've only just read your profile and posts.  I had to check my medical note  file ! As forgotten  about the pre-op

We lived very near by hospital at time (2015) so made little impact on our time in many ways.    To get to your question :  

Mine was 3 weeks from pre-op.  However I didn't know the exact date of op at pre-op.  I think I asked and each Hosp. may operate (excuse pun) in differing ways.  The pre-op triggered the next stage which seems logical.  Pre-op took 10 mins and very routine.   I was keen to move forward as I was diagnosed in Nov 14.  So 3 calendar months (to the day actually)  from biopsy result to LRP.  Thankfully I was quite fit and had zero medical conditions (in fact no prostate symptoms either)  So having to go into hospital and knowing you have cancer is more than 'surreal' in many ways.    I was in over night - 34 hours in total.   (a bit more on my profile)

Again I know nothing of your own general health - just ring / explain situation to your team coordinator.  The pre-op included  MRSA test , maybe that's now std.   They want results obviously to be current .. plus your 'signature' protects the system.   I was and still am on zero medication. BP fine fine etc..  I saw nurse only and no one else,  Wife came with me.    Can't remember much else.       

I would be interested in your PSA History and decision why you choose surgery (PM or public).    Early detection in your case looks very positive.   The 'gold standard' can only be post op.  ie Full biopsy when removed.  Mine did get upgraded to T3 from T2. I knew both sides had tumours following my one and only biospy.  

Note : I did actually do my pelvic floor exercises, kegels etc  and still do .. (I was a tad cynical to say the least. ) and was dry after 1 day. Catheter out in 7 days  (I was pleasantly surprised as expected and was told 10 to 14 days).    Again no idea if that directly helps or the skill of my surgeon re bladder neck and the bunch of nerves he explained in that area.   I guess it all helps.     Don't worry at all if it feels a little more than odd for quite a few months..  re. bladder and bowel movements..  I think the body takes time to re-adjust and self heal (this wasn't explain to me at the time, so much to take in anyway).  All obvious stuff. ie bladder sits lower.. it's a sensitive item and had a lot to put up with.  I actually have a flow more like in my 20's (ie 20 seconds or less for wee ) and excellent control.                 

 Note :  I was also told NOT to take any citrus drinks and especially no Cranberry juice, by the very professional and knowledgeably  lady who took my catherer out, plus cut down on caffeine after 3pm.  So drink more water with the cider, beer and curries now !     I had been drinking pomegranate juice and cranberry juice  for 2 or 3 months on someone advice.   Again I'm sure others will see this and post.  I was told you need to treat the bladder kindly.   Seriously I should cut out on the strong curries also.. maybe one day. 

    

All the best.            

 

  

 

Edited by member 15 Aug 2016 at 16:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 19:31

John was told not to cycle for 6 months post-op - it can reduce the chance of erectile function recovering and make ED permanent. The surgeon's words were 'what's the point of me doing nerve-sparing and the patient then not giving the nerves a chance to recover?' Advice may be different now that you can buy specially designed prostate friendly saddles though?

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

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 22:44
Hi Dave. . In my opinion ask more about risks re. If any nerve left. You can only ask and rely on expert opinion. Position of tumour cells etc. Whatever is left is often traumatised and damaged so does take time to heal. It's basically left to the skill of the surgeon.
User
Posted 19 Aug 2016 at 14:18

Thanks for heads up on the Sunshine Festival ..  I see Jimmy Cricket is on the bill still going strong at 70 then ?   I must make effort to see it one year , seems quite a Festival.  

May I ask what are they providing on the day before re. pre meds then ? ( I just arrived at 7.30am on the day of op. )

I had a couple of bottles ('pre op salts' ) to drink at home within 24 hrs. (can't remember name exactly). I think everyone before surgery are given them.  

I was given just the Fragmin (dalteparin) anticoagulant (negate DVT etc)  to self inject, from Op + 1 day.  I left hospital with boxes of those. Urine  bags, some Paracetamol + constipation powders. I think it was Dulcolax powder .   Yes the constipation powder is ignored at your peril ...     http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gifhttp://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif    I should have taken  it a few weeks before ..! blimey..      I think the general aesthetic / 'other drugs' ? whatever is used,  sent my whole digestive system asleep.   

re. your timeline sounds good in my opinion,  all sorted eh ?   Other than catheter out (7 days) it was about 6 weeks after I saw my Consultant for the first time and we discussed full biospy and the operation.   My PSA at this stage was 0.03 , which he was satisfied.  (and <0.01 since).  Seems PSA can take more than 6 weeks to 'degrade' out of body.  Everyone obviously different.

Enjoy your lovely weekend ..  

 

 

Edited by member 19 Aug 2016 at 14:25  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Aug 2016 at 08:27

Hi Lyn, like I said in a previous conversation, I have nothing but praise for the way my local surgery, GP, local hospital and now the Royal Hallamshire for the way they have handled my PC.

Three cheers for the NHS and may it forever be in public hands!

 

Show Most Thanked Posts
User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 16:55
Hi Dave

I don't know if there is a standard time frame for this.I had my pre-op three weeks prior to surgery. I imagine that you can turn down an appointment if it is inconvenient but then you don't know how long you might have to wait. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

Kevan

User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 17:24

Hi Dave
At my dads assessment he had 3 ECG's ?? Blood tests etc and then had to run on a treadmill uphill for a certain length of time but obviously you can stop if needed, he did manage but was exhausted (he's a fit 71 year old )
After my dads assessment he was told he would have surgery within a six week time frame but then days later received a letter with the date for op within two weeks !!

I hope this helps a little
Viv X

The only time you should look back is to see how far you have come
User
Posted 14 Aug 2016 at 21:11
At my pre op assessment I already had a date for the op. The nurse was not happy with my bp and I had to make an appointment with my GP to start on medication to lower it. This put back my op by about 3 weeks.

Paul

THE CHILD HAS GROWN, THE DREAM HAS GONE
User
Posted 15 Aug 2016 at 14:39

I think most surgeons would be happy for you to delay the op to fit around existing plans - ours was very keen for us to go off on a holiday first although John wasn't prepared to delay at all :-( If there is a delay in doing the op because of your diary rather than the hospital availability, it doesn't count in their statistics plus it lets them squeeze someone else in :-)

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

User
Posted 15 Aug 2016 at 15:46

Hi Dave

All the very best.  I've only just read your profile and posts.  I had to check my medical note  file ! As forgotten  about the pre-op

We lived very near by hospital at time (2015) so made little impact on our time in many ways.    To get to your question :  

Mine was 3 weeks from pre-op.  However I didn't know the exact date of op at pre-op.  I think I asked and each Hosp. may operate (excuse pun) in differing ways.  The pre-op triggered the next stage which seems logical.  Pre-op took 10 mins and very routine.   I was keen to move forward as I was diagnosed in Nov 14.  So 3 calendar months (to the day actually)  from biopsy result to LRP.  Thankfully I was quite fit and had zero medical conditions (in fact no prostate symptoms either)  So having to go into hospital and knowing you have cancer is more than 'surreal' in many ways.    I was in over night - 34 hours in total.   (a bit more on my profile)

Again I know nothing of your own general health - just ring / explain situation to your team coordinator.  The pre-op included  MRSA test , maybe that's now std.   They want results obviously to be current .. plus your 'signature' protects the system.   I was and still am on zero medication. BP fine fine etc..  I saw nurse only and no one else,  Wife came with me.    Can't remember much else.       

I would be interested in your PSA History and decision why you choose surgery (PM or public).    Early detection in your case looks very positive.   The 'gold standard' can only be post op.  ie Full biopsy when removed.  Mine did get upgraded to T3 from T2. I knew both sides had tumours following my one and only biospy.  

Note : I did actually do my pelvic floor exercises, kegels etc  and still do .. (I was a tad cynical to say the least. ) and was dry after 1 day. Catheter out in 7 days  (I was pleasantly surprised as expected and was told 10 to 14 days).    Again no idea if that directly helps or the skill of my surgeon re bladder neck and the bunch of nerves he explained in that area.   I guess it all helps.     Don't worry at all if it feels a little more than odd for quite a few months..  re. bladder and bowel movements..  I think the body takes time to re-adjust and self heal (this wasn't explain to me at the time, so much to take in anyway).  All obvious stuff. ie bladder sits lower.. it's a sensitive item and had a lot to put up with.  I actually have a flow more like in my 20's (ie 20 seconds or less for wee ) and excellent control.                 

 Note :  I was also told NOT to take any citrus drinks and especially no Cranberry juice, by the very professional and knowledgeably  lady who took my catherer out, plus cut down on caffeine after 3pm.  So drink more water with the cider, beer and curries now !     I had been drinking pomegranate juice and cranberry juice  for 2 or 3 months on someone advice.   Again I'm sure others will see this and post.  I was told you need to treat the bladder kindly.   Seriously I should cut out on the strong curries also.. maybe one day. 

    

All the best.            

 

  

 

Edited by member 15 Aug 2016 at 16:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 07:57

Hi Rob, thanks a lot for that very informative post.

I was diagnosed as T2 with a Gleason of 3+4 on one side of the prostate only,  but when I went for consultation after the biopsy results, they did say that as the cancer was right up against the nerve bundle and that surgery was really the only option.

I am pretty fit also and have done Pilates so PFEs come quite natural and my core is pretty strong.  My PC was also found purely by accident as I went to see my GP because I thought I was suffering from "old age droop", lol.  Asked for Viagra and he sent me for a blood test instead.  PSA came back at 8.5 and the rest is history.

Glad your post-op recovery was good and I hope mine will be the same.  Have already stopped alcohol in preparation for the op and am cycling every day . . . my BP is a little high and rest pulse rate is 60; it used to be 48 when I was doing marathons, lol.

Anyway, take care my friend and thanks again for the info.

 

Kind regards

 

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 16:34

Hi Dave

Have a good break..  you sound far fitter than me.    Bike rides probably out for a few weeks after  eh ? .   I ate standing up on some days, + put a couple of cushions on chairs.  Not in pain just found it awkward getting onto a chair and up initially.  Also a pain getting in and out of a car (unless SUV /4 x 4 ie higher seating etc)   I think it's more to do with the general aesthetic and the fact I was quite 'inflated' / bloated for a few days.  All my incisions healed very quickly (super glue material) and actually I did go on mountain bike before I drove the car.  I didn't fancy the son's racing bike seat..  

   

Have you been told if any nerve sparing ?  I had zero sparing, we took consultants recommendation.  

 

 

 

Edited by member 16 Aug 2016 at 16:36  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 17:52

No, not been told if nerve sparing is possible or not; I gather that one side will definitely have to go though.  I'll find out everything hopefull on Thursday.  Never mind, had the snip 37 years ago and I suppose I can live on memories, lol.

Car has very low seats so I hope I don't have too much of a problem.  There's always my bus pass!

 

Cheers.

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 19:31

John was told not to cycle for 6 months post-op - it can reduce the chance of erectile function recovering and make ED permanent. The surgeon's words were 'what's the point of me doing nerve-sparing and the patient then not giving the nerves a chance to recover?' Advice may be different now that you can buy specially designed prostate friendly saddles though?

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

User
Posted 16 Aug 2016 at 22:44
Hi Dave. . In my opinion ask more about risks re. If any nerve left. You can only ask and rely on expert opinion. Position of tumour cells etc. Whatever is left is often traumatised and damaged so does take time to heal. It's basically left to the skill of the surgeon.
User
Posted 17 Aug 2016 at 09:28
Rob you seem to have a similar profile to me if you want to check out my profile.

Regarding cycling I asked my surgeon at my first post op meeting if I could ride my bike. He said ' could you ride one before' then just told me not to overdo it at first. It wasn't a problem at all.

Edited by member 19 Aug 2016 at 09:24  | Reason: Not specified

THE CHILD HAS GROWN, THE DREAM HAS GONE
User
Posted 17 Aug 2016 at 09:44

And have you recovered EF Paul - or do you still have ED?

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

User
Posted 17 Aug 2016 at 12:55

Hi  Only on mobile. So brief response. Yes like to swap experiences. I've only skimmed your posts. Regards

Edited by member 20 Aug 2016 at 12:46  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Aug 2016 at 13:29

Pre-op done this morning. All OK and now ready for the op.  I've asked it for no sooner than after the bank holiday as we are away at the Sunshine Festival over that weekend.  Lots of drinking, barbecues and live bands (Bay City Rollers, Sister Sledge etc).  Certainly don't want to be wearing a catheter and having a pee-bag strapped to my leg during that, lol.

Glass half empty; cannot do nerve sparing surgery on left side.

GLASS HALF FULL; THEY CAN SPARE THE OTHER SIDE!!

What's the bets I'll be in hospital on my 68th birthday (6th Sept); so instead of getting a present, I'm having one taken away, lol.

Chins up and tally-ho!  "Chocks away, Ginger"!

Edited by member 18 Aug 2016 at 14:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 18 Aug 2016 at 16:05
All sounding good 👍

Go for it and enjoy all the summer has to offer. Hope the op goes well and that side effects are minimal for you.

Kevan

User
Posted 18 Aug 2016 at 20:15

I would have thought a catheter and leg-bag would be extremely useful at a festival?????

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

User
Posted 18 Aug 2016 at 21:13
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member

I would have thought a catheter and leg-bag would be extremely useful at a festival?????

I was told alot of guys go to festivals with the Conveen sheaths and a pipe down the trouser leg.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 18 Aug 2016 at 21:50

Oh and dont forget the girls they use shewees at festivals !! Might need to google that one lol
Have a lovely time at the festival 🍻☀️👍🏽
X

The only time you should look back is to see how far you have come
User
Posted 19 Aug 2016 at 11:50

Wow, that was quick!  Pre-op yesterday and they phoned this morning.  Told them I'm not available till 30th Aug.  The want me in on 31st for the meds/injection with op the following day!

Well, at least "the clock is ticking" now and I can try to de-stress a little.  I suppose I'd better "start making hay", lol.

Glen

 

User
Posted 19 Aug 2016 at 14:18

Thanks for heads up on the Sunshine Festival ..  I see Jimmy Cricket is on the bill still going strong at 70 then ?   I must make effort to see it one year , seems quite a Festival.  

May I ask what are they providing on the day before re. pre meds then ? ( I just arrived at 7.30am on the day of op. )

I had a couple of bottles ('pre op salts' ) to drink at home within 24 hrs. (can't remember name exactly). I think everyone before surgery are given them.  

I was given just the Fragmin (dalteparin) anticoagulant (negate DVT etc)  to self inject, from Op + 1 day.  I left hospital with boxes of those. Urine  bags, some Paracetamol + constipation powders. I think it was Dulcolax powder .   Yes the constipation powder is ignored at your peril ...     http://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gifhttp://community.prostatecanceruk.org/editors/tiny_mce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-surprised.gif    I should have taken  it a few weeks before ..! blimey..      I think the general aesthetic / 'other drugs' ? whatever is used,  sent my whole digestive system asleep.   

re. your timeline sounds good in my opinion,  all sorted eh ?   Other than catheter out (7 days) it was about 6 weeks after I saw my Consultant for the first time and we discussed full biospy and the operation.   My PSA at this stage was 0.03 , which he was satisfied.  (and <0.01 since).  Seems PSA can take more than 6 weeks to 'degrade' out of body.  Everyone obviously different.

Enjoy your lovely weekend ..  

 

 

Edited by member 19 Aug 2016 at 14:25  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 19 Aug 2016 at 17:24

Mind-blowing how much things vary from one hospital to the next. John didn't have anything to take before the op, no self-injecting, nothing for constipation.

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

User
Posted 20 Aug 2016 at 08:27

Hi Lyn, like I said in a previous conversation, I have nothing but praise for the way my local surgery, GP, local hospital and now the Royal Hallamshire for the way they have handled my PC.

Three cheers for the NHS and may it forever be in public hands!

 

 
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