No surgery date

Hi Matt,

I think three months is quite normal to be waiting for surgery. I waited longer than that with Gleason 8, later upgraded to 9 (4+5), and a T3 staging.

As for targets, to me they are no more than promises that are rarely kept.

It would probably be pointless having another intermediate PSA check. If it had increased, I doubt it would put you higher up the waiting list.

Good luck, mate. 👍

Edited by member 01 Oct 2025 at 08:06  | Reason: Typo

Hello again mate.

The aneathetist's appointment is part of the  pre-op assessment in my Trust and they're done on the same day. They are only valid for three months.

My wait for surgery was a bit of a nightmare.

With a high Gleason score and capsular breach. I wanted to be done ASAP.

I was diagnosed in Aug 2022 and was later scheduled for the op that Nov. Despite having a troublesome heart condition, the preassement deemed me fit for surgery.

I psyched myself up for the operation. I had to book in the hospital at 0730 hrs. They telephoned me at 0630 cancelling the op due to bed shortages. I was gutted.

They next scheduled me for surgery in Dec 2023. I again psyched myself up for surgery. I was duely admitted to hospital and was all gowned up and ready to go. Then, at the very last minute, the aneathetist doing the op, despite his collegue giving me the green light at preassessment, had doubts about my cardiological problems. They cancelled the op yet again. I couldn't believe it. Both me and my wife were distraught.

By this time, I was sick of being messed about, and started to take control of my own treatment. I personally contacted my cardiology consultant and explained my dilemma. He was great. Within a couple of weeks, he'd re-examined my heart and sent a report to the aneathetist saying that, in his opinion, I was fit for surgery. By this time my first preassessment had run out and I had to have another.

I eventually had RARP in Feb. It was completely unproblematic.

However, less than two months later, I had a heart attack - as if to prove Murphy's law.

It was awful being in a cardiology ward for two weeks, so soon after prostate surgery. I was wired up to a heart monitor, and leaking like a sieve. It's a wonder I didn't electrocute myself. 😁

Looking back, I can laugh at my misfortune, but at the time, it wasn't funny.

Anyway, up to now, all is well. My PSA is undetectable, and the stents they put in my heart seem to have sorted that problem.

Edited by member 01 Oct 2025 at 11:25  | Reason: Additional text

Thanks Adrian for sharing. You were put through the ringer.

Glad all seems to have worked out well.

Matthew

Cheers, pal.

I'm sure that your wait will go much smoother than mine. I've not heard anyone else on here reporting any surgery cancellations or unnecessary delays. I think, I was just unlucky.

The main purpose of my tale was to reassure you that even with a high grade and T3 cancer, the 5/6 month delay didn't cause me any problems. Like you, I was concerned about disease progression during the waiting time. However, my consultant told me, that there had been numerous cancellations and delays during Covid restrictions and there was no evidence suggesting that they led to worse outcomes.

To be fair to them, they have given you a timescale between 10 - 12 weeks, which although it might not be 'on target' doesn't seem unreasonable.

Whist I was waiting, I often wondered, if those diagnosed after me and more at risk, would leapfrog me on the list. Of course, I wouldn't have objected had that been the case. I'm still not sure whether waiting lists for PCa surgery, is on a first come, first served basis or prioritised?

As for monitoring, I don't think it's usual to have further checks whilst awaiting surgery.

Edited by member 01 Oct 2025 at 12:16  | Reason: Additional text