WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Hi Mark,I saw my surgeon 6 weeks post op and the urologist 4 months post op.The scans and blood tests were 4 monthly to begin with,then 6 monthly.I had a complication with both kidneys on one scan but that resolved and I’m now on yearly scans.I’m almost 5 and a half years post surgery.Jane x

Hi like Winkers60, at first I had a series of face to face appointments with surgeons to check the stoma and with my oncologist to plan follow up. I also had haematology follow ups as I am on blood thinners. All except oncology resolved into telephone appointments. In my hospital that's quarterly for 2 years (after blood tests and CT scan) then 6 monthly for the next 3 years (ditto).

My surgical CNS used to ring too at the very start - she's the one who can confirm how it all went and you could ring him/ her if you want information or reassurance now.

All the best,

Latestart

Thanks winkers 

It just feels you are in limbo, am I all clear or am I not. I guess I'll hear soon enough 

Thanks again

Mark

Hi latestart 

I'll just have to wait it out by the looks of things.

Iam on blood thinners also because of my reaction to the chemotherapy another 7 weeks of them.

Thanks again 

Mark

Hi Mark,I hope you are not kept waiting too long to find out whether you are cancer free.Keeping my fingers crossed for you.Jane x

Thanks Jane appreciate it.

Matk

I'm on them for life as I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation during chemo. Not a big deal fortunately. Funnily, having mentioned her above, I bumped into my Clinical Nurse Specialist again today while at the hospital for something else. Such a lovely woman who still remembered me 2 years later. I wouldn't hesitate to contact her for anything related to my op even now if I was worried.

That was nice that she still rembered you it's good that you can rely on someone like that. 

Mark 

Glad to hear recovery is going well. They will have taken tissue to biopsy, so you will get results of that in due course.  I got results at my 6 weeks check-up, which was clear post op path report, '95% likelihood cured'. 

Follow up schedule and tests will depend on hosp protocol and how high risk you are - depends on initial and pre-op stage & grade and post op path report. I was low risk, so had bloods, chest x-ray and either ultrasound or renogram (to check on neobladder) every 3 months for 2 years, every 6 months for 2 years, then annual follow up. Now I am more than 10 years post op, just bloods and ultrasound. Some people will have CT scans or other tests as deemed necessary. Hope all continues well for you.

Thanks teasswill

I rang this morning to speak to my cns but she was off.  Another nurse said she would look into it for me and call me back which she did indeed do.

She said a biopsy would have been sent away for analysis and as you said the results would be forthcoming. I had no idea they send away anything I was never told that at any pre op stage, now it's a waiting game for the results.

Thanks again

Mark