I was called on Monday asking me if I would have my testicle removed on Wednesday which was yesterday.
I arrived at 12 but I was last on the list and didnt go in for surgery until 5. You are on your own in your own room and are seen by a nurse who looks after you throughout, a doctor came in to verify the usual name, age, drug regime and agree what is going to happen, then the anaethetist who was funny, then the surgeon who was amiable but professional.
AT 5 I was taken upstairs to a room and another nurse went over the procedure then the theatre nurse. After say half an hour I was taken into the theatre wearing paper underwear and the usual open back gown (fashion disaster). Pads to measure heart and blood pressure etc were put on in seconds and the surgeon agreed with me what was to happen then the anaethetist put canulas in both arms. He then pumped something into my arm and talked about whiskey. I knew nothing for two hours after that. I think the op take 40 minutes but I was asleep.
When I opened my eyes I was in another room operation was done. The right testicle had been removed and a pad covered the incision just above and to the right of my penis. The incision is where they pass the resticle and tubes through. I expected to be in great pain but no - I had mild discomfort only. Pain killers had been given during surgery and to be honest after the op I felt better that before probably because I hadnt eaten all day or drank fluids for 5 hours.
After 30 minutes banter with the nurses I was taken back to my room layed on my bed. I had to carefully get off the bed and sit on a chair. I felt the slightest giddiness as you would expect. ON looking back at the bedsheet it had a little blood on it and brown stains which was fortunately iodine? not what I thought it might have been!
I was given a chicken sandwich and a cup of tea and biscuits which I ate quickly. The fact I could eat was proof I was ok and going to live.
My nurse came back to me from time to time and after maybe another hour I went for a pee which meant I could go home.I was taken to the door by the nurse and my daughter took me home. So from op to home was 5 hours ignoring 5 hours wait. I need to wait a few days to find if the cyst was cancerous.
The main fear is the pain but to be honest there isnt much. I got into bed after another tea and I could feel a small pain as if I had achicken bone stuck in my stomach. There was an ache where my testicle had been pulled and pushed up to the cut in my groin about an inch or so from my penis. The discomfort is as bad as an aching back. Easily sufferable but it stops you sleeping. I wasnt reaaly tired so I watched a comedy for an hour and took some ibuprofen. I was comfortable in my bed and I had to lie on either side to improve the pain. Pain is too strong a word - its more like an ache with a slight bit of stabbing. I fell asleep properly at 4 am and woke at 9am feeling ok. When I stand I have almost no pain sitting makes you aware of discomfort because my trousers push on the pad on my wound. I am sitting now at 11 am typing this so 18 hours after the op. I have to take penicillin, senna for 5 days and painkillers if I need to. I won't be taking many painkillers but taking the edge off any slight pain in good.
I need to do nothing for 2 days and then little for 4 weeks. As an office type I can use a computer at home. The only problem is internal bleeding might occur if you do anything strenuous so I wont! They say 4 weeks. My consultant says one week then be careful just sitting at work. The surgeon says 4 weeks to go back to work but I can work at home. I can not lift anything heavy til next year - suits me.
Just having time away from work is cure enough!
I will blog again if things go bad. To be honest I could probably work today at say 75% output if I wanted - I feel ok. I dont intend to return to work until end of November but I have 6 sets of accounts at home I can do slowly so shouldnt lose much income.
Can I just say the NHS is great. I have paid into it through National Insurance for almost 50 years so I have paid but the service I got was excellent. Not having much pain is worth a lot! National Insurance covers doctors, dentists in part and all sorts of other healthcare. This op in the US would cost $10000 probably
