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User
Posted 12 Oct 2016 at 15:53

Have had out patients today.

Last PSA 1st August .... 11.10.

Saw consultant this time.

He was concerned more with the enlargement of prostate than with "low grade cancer".

My prostate volume is 68 cc, I am up at night at least twice, I have frequency during the day, and strength of flow is poor, I have some dribbling after passing urine,

and dont fully empty my bladder. I take Tamsulosin 400mcg.

These symptoms are annoying and do have an impact , especially tiredness, and if we go anywhere. But hardly compare to some of the historys here. Lets face it I am relatively lucky.

He has suggested 4 options: -

Do nothing ......continue on active surveillance, and Tamsulosin.

Be prescribed Finasteride 5mg

Have a TURP

Have a  Robotic Radical Protestectomy

 I will have the opportunity to discuss this with my Specialist Nurse, but would welcome anyones thoughts or comments.

I do feel that my urine flow is pretty poor, and do have a concern about going in to retention. But am not sure this is enough of a concern for me to choose active treatment, but it does effect my quality of life. Ho hum decisions ...decisions

 

Take care everyone , all the best.

 

 

 

 

 

 

User
Posted 12 Oct 2016 at 19:00
OT

If your flow is slow and you are not emptying your bladder has anyone spoke to you about intermittent self catheterisation, if you empty the bladder at night you may get through the night,and having catheters to hand many ease your concern about retention.

My RARP has had a slightly negative effect on my quality of life but I hope to have a longer life as a result of the treatment.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 13 Oct 2016 at 09:16

Hi OT,

Having experienced going into retention, and having to wait, squirming, four hours in A&E before being "blue lighted" to a urology team in the next hospital, it's not something I would want to repeat.

I now self-cathertise to help keep the urethra open and I think it's something you should definitely ask your consultant about. 

Flexi

User
Posted 06 Nov 2016 at 17:20
Hope all goes well for you. Like you I found that reading the experiences of others prepared me pretty well for the op and the experiences that followed. At least there were no surprises.

Keep us posted.

Kind regards

Kevan

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 15:01

Hi OT,
Gosh thats good , I have to wait 6 weeks (only 2 weeks more).
We have our Pre-ops on the same day, but I dont get my operation until 1st December.
Good luck.
Nigel

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 15:18

Good luck Old Tez - have you done your shopping yet? 

 

Useful things might include:

pants (not boxers) in a size larger than usual to hold your catheter and (possibly very swollen) testicles in place

tracksuit bottoms / joggers / pyjama bottoms preferably with a drawstring waist 

a waterproof protector for your mattress - or the large disposable pads that some pet shops sell 

a bucket to stand the catheter bag in at night

things to read / puzzles / crosswords

 

Edited by member 17 Nov 2016 at 15:22  | Reason: Not specified

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

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 18:28
All the best Old Tez. Go with the flow, do as you are told after the op and hopefully you will be fine.

Kind regards

Kevan

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 18:56
Oldtez

My number one tip for after your surgery do not get constipated, straining to pass motions past your new joint is not advisable.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 18 Nov 2016 at 17:28

I gave Lyn's list to Mrs N, like you I went out and got bigger underpants.
Hope it goes well.

Good Luck to all.
Nigel

User
Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 09:30

Another tip , if you want some sleep during your one night stay, invest in some ear plugs! Having not stayed in a hospital ward before I did not appreciate just how noisy they are at night.
I was placed in a side ward with 3 other chaps, 3 of us were called Brian! How about that for a common I mean popular name? Brian opposite was forever pressing his alarm button, so in would pop a nurse and ask how can I help you Brian? Brian next to me spent half the night scratching at his bed covers.

Good luck to everyone.

Brian.

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 11:22

No, not done everywhere but based on your description it should be made mandatory! Good luck this week - have a lovely weekend and lots of sex first :-)

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

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 17:37

Hi Old TezI'm going to a "health & wellbeing" session at Canterbury Hospital on Thursday - the same type of afternoon session you described. Glad to hear it gave you reassurance.Best wishes for a successful operation and good recovery.

Chris

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User
Posted 12 Oct 2016 at 19:00
OT

If your flow is slow and you are not emptying your bladder has anyone spoke to you about intermittent self catheterisation, if you empty the bladder at night you may get through the night,and having catheters to hand many ease your concern about retention.

My RARP has had a slightly negative effect on my quality of life but I hope to have a longer life as a result of the treatment.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 13 Oct 2016 at 09:16

Hi OT,

Having experienced going into retention, and having to wait, squirming, four hours in A&E before being "blue lighted" to a urology team in the next hospital, it's not something I would want to repeat.

I now self-cathertise to help keep the urethra open and I think it's something you should definitely ask your consultant about. 

Flexi

User
Posted 13 Oct 2016 at 10:09

Thank you Chris , Flexi.

No one has mentioned self-catheterisation.

Its now on my list when I speak to the specialist nurse.

All the best.

User
Posted 06 Nov 2016 at 16:09

Have now had my conversations with the specialist nurse.

Have now had an Out Patients appointment with one of the surgeons.

As a result of these discussions I have chosen to go on the waiting list for a robotic assisted prostatectomy.

So I am joining the club.

Although my PSA has just gone down from just over 11 to 10.24 !

I have been on active surveillance for 4 years, but as my symptoms are more bothersome and impacting me more , I have decided to grasp the nettle.

I am 64 years old  with a Gleeson score of 3 + 3 . Everything indicates  the cancer is localized to  the prostate. ( I have had biopsies and scans)

I have no other health problems, so I feel I am a suitable candidate. They are hopeful of going ahead before Christmas. They are doing it as a bilateral nerve spare

and no lymph node taking.

I already have my appointment for a pre- procedure health and wellbeing session.

I have been reading members experiences and picking up on all the tips. Thanks to everyone for their advice and pointers.

All the best.

 

 

User
Posted 06 Nov 2016 at 17:20
Hope all goes well for you. Like you I found that reading the experiences of others prepared me pretty well for the op and the experiences that followed. At least there were no surprises.

Keep us posted.

Kind regards

Kevan

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 14:35

Health and wellbeing group 25th November.

Pre-op assessment 28th November.

Operation 29th November.

So organised very quickly , with hopefully a good outcome.

Best wishes to everyone.

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 15:01

Hi OT,
Gosh thats good , I have to wait 6 weeks (only 2 weeks more).
We have our Pre-ops on the same day, but I dont get my operation until 1st December.
Good luck.
Nigel

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 15:18

Good luck Old Tez - have you done your shopping yet? 

 

Useful things might include:

pants (not boxers) in a size larger than usual to hold your catheter and (possibly very swollen) testicles in place

tracksuit bottoms / joggers / pyjama bottoms preferably with a drawstring waist 

a waterproof protector for your mattress - or the large disposable pads that some pet shops sell 

a bucket to stand the catheter bag in at night

things to read / puzzles / crosswords

 

Edited by member 17 Nov 2016 at 15:22  | Reason: Not specified

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

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 18:28
All the best Old Tez. Go with the flow, do as you are told after the op and hopefully you will be fine.

Kind regards

Kevan

User
Posted 17 Nov 2016 at 18:56
Oldtez

My number one tip for after your surgery do not get constipated, straining to pass motions past your new joint is not advisable.

Thanks Chris

User
Posted 18 Nov 2016 at 10:35

Lyn you are absolutely awesome! A font of knowledge, information and support for all of us. Thank you!

User
Posted 18 Nov 2016 at 13:43

Many thanks for all the tips and your good wishes.

Have prepared most things Lyn, need to get some larger underpants.
Hopefully only staying in hospital overnight.
Thanks for the advice Chris.

Will let you know how it goes.

Good luck Nigel.

Best regards to everyone.

User
Posted 18 Nov 2016 at 17:28

I gave Lyn's list to Mrs N, like you I went out and got bigger underpants.
Hope it goes well.

Good Luck to all.
Nigel

User
Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 09:30

Another tip , if you want some sleep during your one night stay, invest in some ear plugs! Having not stayed in a hospital ward before I did not appreciate just how noisy they are at night.
I was placed in a side ward with 3 other chaps, 3 of us were called Brian! How about that for a common I mean popular name? Brian opposite was forever pressing his alarm button, so in would pop a nurse and ask how can I help you Brian? Brian next to me spent half the night scratching at his bed covers.

Good luck to everyone.

Brian.

User
Posted 19 Nov 2016 at 14:08

Oh Oxonian, you make it sound so exciting!

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

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 11:12

Had a "health and well being meeting" at the hospital, in preparation for the operation on Tuesday.

This was brilliant. About 20/25 of us, wives and partners encouraged to attend.
To discuss the operation , go through the procedure and complications, discussion with specialist nurses, meet a patient who had the operation.
Catheters and pumps and stuff on show.
Video of operation.
What you can do and what you cannot do.
3 Hours long.

Came out feeling confident and reassured.

Dont know if they do this everywhere, think they should. Definitely worthwhile.

Best regards to everyone.

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 11:22

No, not done everywhere but based on your description it should be made mandatory! Good luck this week - have a lovely weekend and lots of sex first :-)

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

User
Posted 26 Nov 2016 at 17:37

Hi Old TezI'm going to a "health & wellbeing" session at Canterbury Hospital on Thursday - the same type of afternoon session you described. Glad to hear it gave you reassurance.Best wishes for a successful operation and good recovery.

Chris

User
Posted 28 Nov 2016 at 16:30

Good luck Chris
Best wishes to you too.

 
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