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User
Posted 20 Sep 2016 at 18:26
Not posted for a while,just been getting my thoughts together with active surveillance.
Recently I decided that I wanted to move on and get treatment with surgery being my choice.
So about six weeks ago I contacted my nurse specialist who referred me to one of the consultants at Derriford. I was given an appointment for 29th September. I accepted this but commented that it would have been nice had it been earlier.
I said to my wife that while waiting I would give our bedroom a lick of paint.
Last Wednesday the walls and ceiling were finished and I was on hands and knees glossing the skirting when I got a phone call from the hospital offering me an appointment with the consultant that afternoon. Having complained a little I thought I had better accept.
To cut a long story short the consultant offended me an operation the next morning.
After some deliberation I said yes and spent the rest of the day having my Pre op checks.
We got home about 7pm and then had to put the bedroom back together.
The next day I was back in the hospital again at 7:30am and in the theatre by 9am.
I had Da Vinci surgery and was allowed home the next evening.
Now I am at home with my catheter counting down the days till it can be removed.
It may have all happened very fast,but it worked for me and one of the deciding factors for me was the attitude and positiveness of the consultant. I have previously spoken to a couple of the others but he was the only one who put me at ease.
Before I went in to theatre he came in and asked again if I was still OK to go ahead,then he went out and had a word with my wife.
The day after the op he came in to the ward to see me.He said he had never removed a bigger prostate.Apparently a normal one is the size of a walnut mine was like a grapefruit.
Top of the leaderboard at last.
I have also had 2 phone calls from the theatre nurse checking that I am OK.
Just hoping everything goes well from here.

Edited by member 21 Sep 2016 at 19:38  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 20 Sep 2016 at 20:13
P

As always my advice to new post op members is no straining to pass that first motion and keep mobile but no marathons. Make the most of not getting up in the night while you have the catheter in.

Thanks Chris
User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 11:33

Hi, you've done well.  I had my catheter out 11 days ago, have been dry at night since Day 1 and am virtually dry during the day.  I don't know if you did Pelvic Floor Exercises leading up to your op.  If you were, that's great; if you haven't been doing them, then don't try with the catheter in but as soon as it comes out, get cracking!


I have carried out a lot of research into how that part of the body works and now that your prostate has been removed, you have also losone of the sphincter muscles that stops the flow of urine.  It is important that you get your remaining one working as close to 100% as soon as possible.  So, as soon as that catheter comes out, start the PFEs.  I do six sets of ten every day.


Good luck and please keep us all informed as to your  progress.


Glen

User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 11:39

Wishing you all the best for a fast and full recovery!

Pablo

User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 13:57
No more decorating for awhile, it takes time to recover and if you are like my hubby generally very stubborn. 😊
User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 14:17

Thanks for all the advice and good wishes.
Unfortunately because I had less than a day's notice before the operation I am playing catch-up as far as the PFE's are concerned, but my surgeon said it is okay to do them with the catheter in.
Generally I think I am doing well, although sleeping on my back because of the catheter night bag is not great when my normal sleeping position is on my side.
Spoke to my nurse yesterday and she told me I will be getting it out on the 29th.A little longer than expected but I will cope.


Edited by member 22 Sep 2016 at 19:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 18:00
What great news. So pleased that things are going well for you as it a bit of a worry when you are waiting to know how things will be after the catheter is removed. You sound pretty chilled and in control of things. Hope that your results are good when you see the onco. Well done you
👍👍
User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 19:07
Good news - hope all goes well from here on in and with your appointment in November.

KRO..
User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 20:11

Very pleased to hear your news perkij.

Remember you are still healing though and don't go too mad just because you feel good and think you can !!


******

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 25 Nov 2016 at 19:24
It's just over eight weeks since my surgery and everything looks to be going well.
I am feeling really well with lots of energy.
Catheter was removed after two weeks and since then I have had very little leakage so that now I only wear a light pad as a precaution if I am going out for several hours.Played golf last week for the first time since the op and wore a pad.It was dry when I removed it.
Trying not to get carried away,but just had a PSA test which came back less than 0.01.
Can't believe I have been so lucky.
I have an appointment with my surgeon next week and hopefully he will have good news for me as well. If he has we might have to celebrate a little.
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User
Posted 20 Sep 2016 at 20:13
P

As always my advice to new post op members is no straining to pass that first motion and keep mobile but no marathons. Make the most of not getting up in the night while you have the catheter in.

Thanks Chris
User
Posted 20 Sep 2016 at 21:00

Well at least you didn't have too long a time to think and worry about it.

Wishing you a speedy recovery.

Best Wishes

Sandra

******

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 11:33

Hi, you've done well.  I had my catheter out 11 days ago, have been dry at night since Day 1 and am virtually dry during the day.  I don't know if you did Pelvic Floor Exercises leading up to your op.  If you were, that's great; if you haven't been doing them, then don't try with the catheter in but as soon as it comes out, get cracking!


I have carried out a lot of research into how that part of the body works and now that your prostate has been removed, you have also losone of the sphincter muscles that stops the flow of urine.  It is important that you get your remaining one working as close to 100% as soon as possible.  So, as soon as that catheter comes out, start the PFEs.  I do six sets of ten every day.


Good luck and please keep us all informed as to your  progress.


Glen

User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 11:39

Wishing you all the best for a fast and full recovery!

Pablo

User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 13:57
No more decorating for awhile, it takes time to recover and if you are like my hubby generally very stubborn. 😊
User
Posted 21 Sep 2016 at 14:17

Thanks for all the advice and good wishes.
Unfortunately because I had less than a day's notice before the operation I am playing catch-up as far as the PFE's are concerned, but my surgeon said it is okay to do them with the catheter in.
Generally I think I am doing well, although sleeping on my back because of the catheter night bag is not great when my normal sleeping position is on my side.
Spoke to my nurse yesterday and she told me I will be getting it out on the 29th.A little longer than expected but I will cope.


Edited by member 22 Sep 2016 at 19:06  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 11:17

Catheter removed yesterday at The Chestnut Clinic. Strange sensation as it came out but no pain.
I was expecting a gush of urine but there was none which I think is a good sign.
Had to pass water twice and had my bladder scanned before they removed the clips and said I was OK to go home.
Not too much leakage, mainly when standing up from the sitting position, but not as bad as I had anticipated.
Wore a pair of Tena pants for men during the day and found them a bit bulky so have got a pad in today.
The Tena pants were fine overnight and I was pleased to be dry this morning, although I did get up a couple of times for a wee during the night.

Had a warm bath this morning and feeling good about things.
There may be the odd setback along the way, but we will deal with it if or when it arises.
For now all is well and I feel that I made the right decision for me to have the operation !

Still doing my best on the pelvic floor exercises and looking forward to my follow up appointment with the consultant on 30th November.


User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 18:00
What great news. So pleased that things are going well for you as it a bit of a worry when you are waiting to know how things will be after the catheter is removed. You sound pretty chilled and in control of things. Hope that your results are good when you see the onco. Well done you
👍👍
User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 19:07
Good news - hope all goes well from here on in and with your appointment in November.

KRO..
User
Posted 30 Sep 2016 at 20:11

Very pleased to hear your news perkij.

Remember you are still healing though and don't go too mad just because you feel good and think you can !!


******

We can't control the winds - but we can adjust our sails
User
Posted 25 Nov 2016 at 19:24
It's just over eight weeks since my surgery and everything looks to be going well.
I am feeling really well with lots of energy.
Catheter was removed after two weeks and since then I have had very little leakage so that now I only wear a light pad as a precaution if I am going out for several hours.Played golf last week for the first time since the op and wore a pad.It was dry when I removed it.
Trying not to get carried away,but just had a PSA test which came back less than 0.01.
Can't believe I have been so lucky.
I have an appointment with my surgeon next week and hopefully he will have good news for me as well. If he has we might have to celebrate a little.
User
Posted 25 Nov 2016 at 22:22

That sounds like great progress and very positive. I had my first meeting with the surgeon yesterday to discuss the operation. It would be with the Da Vinci, and I came away feeling a lot more positive than I had beforehand. It's good to read your story and I hope you go from strength to strength with your recovery.


Chris

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 09:50
Perkij

I'm having mine removed in two weeks. I'm only 46, but it needs to go.

Two questions - how long do catheters normally stay in? And, can I do a short flight, London to Italy with a catheter in? Sorry, a third question, how soon after robotic surgery can I drive?

Walter
User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 10:53

Thanks Chris and Walter.
I am 70.
My catheter was in for two weeks , which I think is about the usual.
The subject of flying with it in is probably best discussed with your surgeon. I would not like to give you any wrong advice on that.
I started driving after about six weeks.Just short trips at first and gradually built up from there.
However everyone is different and we all recover and progress differently.
I drove again when I felt confident in my ability to be able to react in an emergency.
Good luck to both of you for your impending surgery

Jim


Edited by member 26 Nov 2016 at 11:47  | Reason: Not specified

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 11:02

Catheter tends to stay in for 7-21 days depending on your surgeon's preference so best to give your clinical nurse specialist a ring, if you have been allocated one. The issue with flying very soon after the op would not be the catheter so much as your risk of deep vein thrombosis - unlikely to get insurance for that and if the plane had to divert because of you the bill would run to many thousands of £££££s. Again, ask your nurse.

Driving - it depends on your car insurer - give them a ring and ask them but some say absolutely no cover for 6 weeks after a general anaesthetic while others will cover you as soon as you think you can do an emergency stop safely - bear in mind that although you will only have tiny wounds outside you will have significant wounds inside with cut muscles etc. Some insurers want confirmation from a doctor that you are fit to drive - john has a company car and the company insurer wanted a letter from the surgeon which the surgeon would not provide until 12 weeks post op so although he worked from home from about 9-10 weeks post-op he couldn't actually get to the office until the 12 week mark. He had open surgery though.



What you mustn't do is just hope for the best and not check with the insurer; if you were involved in an accident they could reasonably argue that you have invalidated your cover, even if the accident wasn't your fault.

Edited by member 26 Nov 2016 at 11:05  | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 18:52
Hello Walter- the physical recovery varies between individuals, as does the psychological recovery, which benefits hugely I think from returning to as close to normal routines as possible. Take your own qualified medical team's advice which will be personal, rather than the sort of generalised guidance that is inevitably skewed towards men a couple of decades older than you.

As for driving, same advice applies I think: recovery is personal and my own insurance company stated that so long as I was acting in accordance (which really means not wilfully ignoring) doctor's advice then all was fine with them. Of course that still means that obvious physical limitations must not be ignored.

Would be interested to hear what the proper advice re flying is when you hear it.
User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 23:41
SumDumBloke

I'll make sue I post what my consultant says about flying.

Walter
User
Posted 27 Nov 2016 at 01:22
Originally Posted by: Online Community Member
Hello Walter- the physical recovery varies between individuals, as does the psychological recovery, which benefits hugely I think from returning to as close to normal routines as possible. Take your own qualified medical team's advice which will be personal, rather than the sort of generalised guidance that is inevitably skewed towards men a couple of decades older than you.

As for driving, same advice applies I think: recovery is personal and my own insurance company stated that so long as I was acting in accordance (which really means not wilfully ignoring) doctor's advice then all was fine with them. Of course that still means that obvious physical limitations must not be ignored.

Would be interested to hear what the proper advice re flying is when you hear it.


If those barbed comments are aimed at me, my husband was 5 years younger than you at diagnosis. How rude!

Edited by member 27 Nov 2016 at 03:02  | Reason: Not specified

"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard
User
Posted 27 Nov 2016 at 09:08

Hello Lyn


I've really got no idea what you're talking about. How were my comments barbed? I noted Walter was 46 and I know from my own experience that the burden of advice that exists for this disease is aimed at older men. That's not a criticism of them - how could it be? 


No idea at all what you could find offensive in that and at the time I wrote it I hadn't even read your post; but my intention is never to offend, so if you've taken it that way I apologise for my clumsy wording.

 
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