The surgery is over…but..

Steve looked a lot brighter today when I got there this morning, surgeon came for his chat and gave us lots of info.

The surgery was going well, he was surprised how big the prostate was though and he saw no reason not to spare the nerves. Right side spared but unfortunately left side he had no option but to remove about 30% as the nerve bundle was stuck to the bowel wall, that’s why the bowel was punctured in his efforts to remove prostate. He said the op then took longer as he repaired the bowel.

Although the urethra join was a tricky one, He wasn’t too worried about that and indeed the drain from the abdomen seemed to be reducing and the catheter bag starting to fill early hours this morning.

He was more concerned about ensuring no complications from the bowel injury and said Steve won’t be going home just yet until he is absolutely satisfied it’s going to be ok.

He is on very light diet, not that he feels like eating anything anyway…surgeon will see him Sunday and he will want a bowel scan and will take it from there, possibly home next Tuesday.

Steve seemed to go a little downhill this afternoon, his catheter stopped draining as much and the nursing staff keeping a close eye on his abdomen which seemed more extended, he did seem to have a high temp too. Anyway when I left they were monitoring him so fingers crossed that it’s just because he is shattered and I see him a bit brighter tomorrow!

The weirdest wedding anniversary yet!!! We will make up for it next year!

Debbie

A few days after my surgery, I had a couple of excruciatingly painful attacks in my abdomen, they felt like a strong chronic ache tightening below my chest, luckily they only lasted a few minutes at a time otherwise I would have called an ambulance. I never did find out what caused it but I recall one or two other members on here who did go to A&E with something similar. 

I hope Steve gets back to normal soon. 

Kev.

So that’s the first hurdle over…the main difficulty he is finding at the moment is the catheter bypassing, which apparently does happen a lot and they have given him a drug to lessen bladder spasm. Also antibiotics to prevent UTI.

So softly does it for next week or so and then onto the next phase!

Debbie

Just an update for those following:  Steve had his RARP yesterday afternoon, the op took 5 hours and there were a couple of complications:

1.  Accidental bowel perforation during op, which the surgeon repaired but Steve not allowed to eat today until they are sure the bowel is recovering (not that he feels like it anyway,)

2.  There was a struggle reconnecting the urethra back to the bladder, apparently the tissue was ‘very weak’ and once the bladder was filled with water it was bypassing the stitching.  They have done what they can and a drain from wound is draining out the urine which at the moment all seems to be collecting in wound drain bag and not entering the catheter bag at all! They are keeping an eye on it in the hope that in a day or so the join will heal over and the urine flows into the catheter instead…. Or it’s back to surgery!!!

3.  The junior doctor who spoke to us today (who wasn’t present during the op) couldn’t clarify whether the op was nerve sparing or not …in his words, ‘I don’t think so as it was rather sticky around the prostate’…. Which tells us nothing! 

the surgeon will see us tomorrow so we will get some clarity…in the meantime it looks like Steve isn’t going anywhere for a few days, he is sore but keeping on the pain relief, looking a bit sorry for himself, but glad that part is (hopefully) over as a hospital virgin, he was dreading the op!

We know each day he will improve and I will keep you updated on his journey

Debbie

The next few days will be tough as he starts to move around and also getting the bowel moving - but he is on the final stretch. In a couple of weeks it will all be a distant memory and he can start to get on with the rest of his life - without that cancerous lump inside of him. Mentally that's a nice position to be in.

It's been tough on you too so hopefully you can now start to relax - well until he gets home and starts demanding cups of tea LOL

Take care, both of you.

Hello Debbie,

My heart goes out to you and Steve. I know how relieved you both were when he finally got a date for the op and I've been thinking about you everyday since the 10th.

It just seems to be one thing after another causing problems for you.

I can fully empathise with how you are both feeling. I actually had a heart condition, two blocked arteries, which cast doubt on my suitability to have RARP. Eventually they decided I was fit enough for the op, which went relatively well. I was only in for a night and allowed to go home next day.

Sods Law, two months later, I had a minor heart attack and ended up in hospital for two weeks. There I was with all the side effects of prostate surgery whilst having to deal with the heart treatment. That was the lowest point of my journey. I did begin to think what on earth have I done to deserve this?

I  know mine and Steve's circumstances are totally different but I just wanted you to know why I can relate to what you're both going through. Steve will get better and will soon be home again, but I can share the anguish you're currently going through.

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you get to see your consultant today but feel obliged to warn you, that when I was in,  the hospital almost seemed to close down at weekends. You had more chance of seeing Lord Lucan riding Shergar than seeing a consultant. Let's hope that's not the case with yours.

Please give your man a hug from me.

Adrian

Edited by member 22 Jan 2024 at 05:43  | Reason: Typo

I developed peritonitis after my RP. I was at home when it came on, absolute agony like I have never experienced.

Morphine etc took the pain away and the Drs were mystified and couldn't work out what was going on for 24 hrs. While this was going on I was out of it because of pain relief and the start of sepsis, the only thing that saved me was telling the A&E consultant it only hurt (with all the pain relief) when the trolley went over the small joints in the vinyl floor. The consultant had been called out at my insistence because I told the junior doctors I was going to die otherwise.

He took me straight to theatre for a abdominal washout and saved my life. Make sure the Drs know everything! 

Edited by member 21 Jan 2024 at 14:26  | Reason: Not specified

Hi Debbie

Sorry to hear that Steve has encountered these issues. I hope that they get him sorted out quickly so that he can return home and start recovering in more comfort.

Ian.

Debbie, sorry to hear about the complications. You probably don't want to hear this but perhaps better to be aware of possible issues.

I was told urine leaking into the pelvic/abdominal cavity would make you feel quite ill, so once home keep an eye on him. I developed a stricture not long after surgery, although my surgeon said it was caused by a trauma on removal of the catheter,other causes can be over tight sutures or urine passing through the joint. He may need to have the catheter for an extended period.

Hope things improve quickly.

Thanks Chris 

Debbie

'There was a struggle reconnecting the urethra back to the bladder, apparently the tissue was ‘very weak’ and once the bladder was filled with water it was bypassing the stitching.'

I had a similar problem because of a previous bladder neck procedure and my consultant had quite a job which made the surgery last nearly 6 hours! The catheter had to remain in place for six weeks with a regular scan every week to check the progress. I did make a complete recovery and that was 12 years ago with no after effect. Your husband will have to be very patient while the healing takes place; our bodies are amazing at healing naturally.

You need to talk to the surgeon; the junior doctor can't know much!

Hope all goes well.

Debbie.

Thanks for finding the time to update us.

The situation that he experienced is fortunately extremely rare - I think you said that the nerves around the prostate were stuck to the bowel which caused the tear. I imagine that there may be a leak which is causing him so much discomfort but I am sure they are on top of it.

Our thoughts are with you both - it's hard to be on the outside looking in and not being able to do anything to help.

Oh Dear Debbie, so sorry to hear he’s not so good, hopefully they’ll get to the bottom(sorry😟) of this and get it sorted ASAP. There’s lots of people on here rooting for both of you, so although it can’t be easy try and stay strong and think positive.💪

Derek

Sorry to hear Steve’s having problems Debbie. I’m thinking of you both, and hope they get him sorted very quickly. 
Ian.

Cheers Debbie, thank you for the update.

I'm so pleased progress is being made.

Adrian.

That’s good Debbie, I think post surgery the first 4 or 5 days for me was very uncomfortable around the stomach & bowel area. That’s without the problems Steve has had with the bowel problem.

The gas they pump in to give better access to the surgery area takes a while to clear & then having to wait for a bowel movement puts more pressure on the already tender surgery wound area.

As said above, I’m sure Steve will start to feel better as the days pass.

Best wishes Jeff.

Excellent news Debbie. I can imagine his anxiety, my stay as well was extended due to my stupidity. I am on medication for BP, naturally I went into the hospital with my meds, no one asked to see them, so a day after my surgery, too my meds in the morning as normal. The next thing, I collapsed (whilst the Nurse was taking my stats), I woke up with so many doctors looking down on me, my BP had crashed! I was then told I should not have taken my BP meds! I was kept for 2extra nights for observation.

Fantastic news, I'm so happy for both of you.😊

Brilliant news Debbie. I'm so pleased for you both. I'm very close to a year on and posted this yesterday.

https://community.prostatecanceruk.org/posts/t30214-Almost-a-year-on-after-RARP

I hope Steve continues to make a smooth and speedy recovery.

Hi Debbie

I had to have my catheter in for over fives week waiting for the leaky joint! At the time I had a scan week after week to check if the leak had healed, in many ways it was probably the most stressful time following surgery; our bodies are amazing at self-healing. He will be fine.

Brilliant news Debbie, really pleased for you both. Rob had his catheter in for 4 weeks also but didn’t find it too bad x

There is some good pads you can purchase & the full briefs if continence is poor, I’m sure as the weeks go by & the concentration & muscles improve so will Steve’s continence.

Walking & light exercises are all a benefit but don’t overdo it I waited the full 6 weeks befor getting back to jogging.

All the best Jeff.

Debbie, I was also lucky to be 99 percent dry 4 days after catheter removal. Those first few days were pretty uncontrollable. Remember there is probably still some healing happening,I had lots of scabs and debris coming out for a few weeks after surgery.

Thanks Chris 

Hi Debbie,

Great news about the PSA result. I hope that the incontinence issue will quickly improve.