10 days post op and feeling good

Nick

good to hear from you. Things will really move once you have the catheter removed. The day of the catheter removal for me went well but was caught  out by the number of times I needed to pee once I left the hospital. As I come from the midlands had a fair drive back thank goodness for the pads! Let me know how you get on.

Hi Mike,

I'm new to the site. Glad to hear you're doing so well, pleased for you.  I am awaiting the results of my biopsy but my urologist seems pretty certain it's there. My Brother had the same op as you and Nick, he also is recovering well, thankfully. He has recommended surgery as has my urologist. It sounds like things can return to near normal relatively quickly. Do you mind me asking why you chose it?

Hi Mike,

I had the catheter removed yesterday and the TWOC went well. I had a bit of a panic on the train home as there wasnt a toilet and I had drunk a lot of water at the hospital. Managed to hold it ok and only a few small leaks yesterday and today and a completely dry night! Admittedly I did get up to pee three times. Hope things are still going well for you.

Hi Mike,

I had the catheter removed yesterday and the TWOC went well. I had a bit of a panic on the train home as there wasnt a toilet and I had drunk a lot of water at the hospital. Managed to hold it ok and only a few small leaks yesterday and today and a completely dry night! Admittedly I did get up to pee three times. Hope things are still going well for you.

Hi I seem to have messed up and sent a reply to you that was intended for 'Beachy' but as you've read my earlier post it should make sense.

If its helpful my choice for surgery took a few weeks to decide on but it was very much based on the biopsy results which were the same as as Mikes T2, Gleason 3+4 contained. Active surveylance didnt appeal and my numbers were borderline for that option so it was between surgery, radiotherepy and brachytherapy. After talking to a few guys who had gone differnt routes and also going to a local support group I decided that for me cutting it out was best and if there was any form of recurrance I still had the option of radiotherapy down the line. Clearly the side effects of surgery need careful consideration but on balance I think I made thebright decision.

I hope things work out well for you.

Thanks Nick, that's very helpful. It appears to me that all of the other treatments have side effects also, some potentially permanent. I have been a little concerned about the incontinents, how long it would last and does it come back earlier as a consequence. My urologist tells me >90% of men are continent within a year. Any thoughts?

Great news. Yes I get up several times in the night. Last night only once. Hope this a sign of things to come. Stil some minor leakage in the day but this is improving. 

Hi Beachy.  The incontents is an issue but I took the view that with the robotic assisted removal, this reduces this as much as you can. Unfortunately it is one of the unknowns until you have the procedure, both Nick And I have only recently had the op so it's still early days but the current signs are good. 

As Mike says the incontinents thing is really unpredictable and you'll only really know post op. I only had my catheter removed a day ago (7 days after the operation). First night was dry but 4 visits to the toilet. Just a few small leaks during the day. I do think general fitness helps a great deal. Pelvic floor excercises before and after surgery help a lot. 

Hi,

After deciding on robotic surgery I did a fair bit of research into surgeons. My diagnosing hospital was East Surrey and I was referred to The Royal Surrey (Guildford) for a surgical consultation. While waiting for a date I had heard good things about Declan Cahill at Guys and had spoken to a few people who had been 'done' by him so I went to my GP and asked for a referral to see him which she was glad to do. I had also read about another very good robotic surgeon called Krishna Patil and by coincidence the consultation at Royal Surrey was with him. I saw both surgeons and it was a difficult decision on which to go with. They know one another and they are both highly experienced. I went with Declan as he has more experience and I felt more comfortable going to a London hospital but I honestly think either would have been fine. An oncologist friend of a friend advised me to find someone who had done 300 or more procedures. Pretty much any of the team at Guys have this level of experience. When you meet with the surgeon that you like I think it is important to have them assure you that they will be doing the surgery and not a less experienced member of the team.

good luck.

Hi

i am from the midlands and took my time to research the best surgeons. I have a friend who knows a leading  orthopidic surgeon. He recomended Declan Cahill. 

I can only speak as I find and mr Cahill is a very nice gentleman. He is enthusiastic about his work. I felt very confident in him.

i did research other surgeons and saw one other in London. 

I am just over 4 weeks since my operation. To say I am pleased with my progress is an understatement. I did get my self fit for the operation but I am sure Mr Declan and his team had as larger part to play in my recovery to date. 

Your husband must go with a surges he feels confirm able with

Hi

i first researched they type of procedure I wanted I felt Robotic  was the way forward and looked for the best surgeon with my own research and friends, another surgeon recommended Mr Cahil. Met him and another surgeon. I felt at ease with Mr Cahil and I liked his enthusiasm for his work.

I am now just over 4 weeks since my operation and I am very pleased with my progress so far.

i feel it is important your husband selects a surgeon he feels comfortable with. That's how I did it. 

I did have issues with my GP who did not want to refer me but I  persisted and the Consultant from my local hospital refered me. I am Persueing my doctor to understand why this was a problem. 

I hope all goes well.  

 

Nick

how are you?. I am now back at work full steam, after two weeks of easing myself back. My contenence is a getting much better with only a small amount of dribble in the afternoon. I put this down to muscle fatigue. I back at the gym  first time on Friday. Felt good just to do some light excerise.

 

Hi Mike,

I'm doing well thanks. I will be going back to work this coming Tuesday. I also have a slight 'dribble' in the afternoon so I am still using one L2 pad a day. I'm keen to get back to the gym or yoga. I might try a gentle class at the end of the week. I had a US motorcycling trip booked before I was diagnosed which I haven't cancelled yet. It starts 10th June which is 2 days short of 6 weeks post op. I'm very tempted to do it but Guys say they "wouldn't recommend it" also insurance is a bit of a minefield. 

Good to hear you are doing so well.

BTW on the referral thing when I asked my GP she said she could direct it to a specific surgeon/consultant at Guys.

all the best Nick

That's good news Nick.

i hope you get on your motorcycle trip. I got a trip deferred due to operation they were most understanding. I would try that approach. I've always wanted to go coast to coast across America, what route are you doing.

there does not appear to be any clear guidance for doctors when referring patients, they all seem to be different. If anyone else has had difficulties would be interested to know

regards Mike

Hi Mike,

Unfortunately I can't defer my trip as three friends are going too and need to keep to that date. 

I went coast to coast, up into Alaska and back to NY back in 1999 and rode around California a few years later. This time we are starting from Seattle and doing a loop to take in San Francisco, Yellowstone Park and up through Montana and the Rockies. Fingers crossed I can go.

on the referral thing it does seem to depend a little on how you get on with your GP. It shouldn't be that way.

regards Nick

Hi nick

I hope things are progressing well. I go for my blood test this week and see the consultant next week

 I am virtually dry apart from the occasional dribble in the afternoon. Still using a sheild.it seems to me the more active I am in terms of bending and squating I seem to more prone to a slight leak.

Erection wise am finding intercourse is OK in the morning but at nite things loose there stiffness too quickly. This will hopefully improve Not using any tables yet. 

Regards

Mike

Hi Mike,

Good to hear you are doing well. I was due to have my blood test this week and consultation next week too but I am off to the US tomorrow for two weeks so I am shifting my appointment.

My progress is far better than I expected. I was virtually totally dry after 1 month. I would say completely dry now but I did wear a small pad on my return to yoga classes last week just as a precaution.

Erections aren't what they were but not bad. I've got a pump but haven't built up the courage to use it yet. I've been prescribed Cialis but not the daily one just the '30 mins' before fellas. Haven't used them yet.

I am back in the gym doing 75% work outs and riding my motorcycle again so all good.

Next hurdle as you know is the post op results.

Let me know how yours goes.

All the best

Nick

Nick

Great progress!

Will let you know how l get on.

Enjoy you holiday

Mike

Hi Nick (and Mike) sounds like you're both doing well.  I'm going for my op on the 29th of July.  Spoke to my brother last week, who had his out back in February, he tells me he is completely dry now and doesn't even think about it anymore. Personally I feel like one of the very lucky ones having found it when I did. I feel like I've been given thirty years of my life back. 

Hope you both get the best results in your follow up tests and Nick, have great trip.  Live the life mate. Love it. 

I've also done the coast to coast trip (on four wheels (and sometimes on all fours!). Have a great time mate. 

Speak soon. X

nick 

had my blood test results last week. All good zero PSA. Another test in three months. Are you back fro your hols?

Hi Mike,

Great news about your PSA. I am hoping mine goes the same way. I got back from the US on Saturday having ridden 300-400 miles a day for 12 days without any problems 'down there' although one of my biking 'friends' almost managed to knock my teeth out with a hotel door!

I took a couple of 'just in case' pads with me but didnt need to use them.

I have my first post op blood test tomorrow and the result (along with the pathology) on the 8th. I'll be glad to get past that one.

Hope you are still progressing well.

All the best

Nick

How are things with you Nick. I hope all is well

mike

Hi Mike,

Thanks for asking. I had my post op results last week. PSA less than .04 so all good there. The pathology showed that the cancer had advanced from a diagnosed T2 to T3a so it was getting pretty serious. Looks like it was taken out just in time. Mr Cahill suggested my next test should be 4 months although I was actually given an appointment 5 months away. I'll probably bring it forward. Physically I feel great. Back to full health etc with some slight ED. Hope things are good for you.

All the best

Nick

That's great news. I must admit I was that relieved about the blood test result I did not ask about the pathology, but would like to know. Am having a further blood test in 3 months. 

Like you having a bit of ED. And have tried calias daily tablets as prescribed but they gave me kidney pains so have stopped and going back to GP.

have you tried the Calais?

An similarly back to full health, up to full tilt with exercise still a few weeks away from per op fitness, but have been taking it steady.

mike

 

I felt the same when I had the results and I didnt ask any questions as I was a bit stunned. You should get a letter with the post op results.

My GP wouldnt prescribe daily Calais just the 30 minute before kick off version. I havent tried them yet. Been playing with the pump a bit which is rather strange. Excercise wise I think I'm about 80% which is far better than I expected. Hope our progress continues as well as its been so far.

Nick