Hello good evening
Im new here and have had full success with hormone therapy and radiotherapy, PSA 0.01 so very pleased.
However…… a friend of mine had an op to have his prostate removed but the robot only took out about 3/4 of it at.
The remaining item is still attached and is preventing him from passing urine so has to use catheters as I understand.
His concern is the op was before Christmas and he’s waiting to have the op done again but properly and the wait time is having a bad effect on him. He’s worried about becoming dehydrated can’t go more than half an hour from home above all he wants his life back.
Question : What had he got do to get the job done properly in a timely manner?
He is desperate for some timescale but getting no where
He is not very IT LIiterate so I’m starting the ball rolling on his behalf
Thanks in advance
Good Afternoon Strat-man
Welcome to the Online community.
I am pleased to hear that you have had some successful treatment for your cancer.
Am sorry to hear about your friend and it must be a worry both for you and for him.
I can understand how this must be affecting his mental and physical health and that he needs answers to what is going to happen next and when it can happen.
Has he got a CNS that he can speak to? Or even his GP who may be able to ask on his behalf? I know that it can be hard to get an appointment these days but throughout my own treatment I used the online consultation system successfully. Has he got access to this, that you would be able to help him with the IT part?
I found it helpful because I could work out exactly what I needed to ask and put the questions directly to my GP. He was able then to answer what I had asked specifically and also was able to contact the hospital on my behalf to find out more.
I would think something along the lines of.......
He has been treated for prostate cancer.
Unfortunately the surgery only removed 3/4 of it.
The remaining part is causing great concern and discomfort to him.
He is having to manage this using catheters which are uncomfortable for him and not a practical long term solution.
He is worried about how it all is affecting his fluid intake and concerned about dehydration.
He is concerned about the part that is left and when it will be removed as he is concerned about the cancer still being there.
He is unable to leave his home for more than 30 minutes which is affecting his health.
Can he be referred asap for removal of the piece left behind or if not please can they say why and whether this will affect his prognosis.
He could mention being afraid that leaving the operation for so long could lead to a decline in his health and that this decline could affect him having the surgery.
If he is not to have the operation then what is the alternative treatment on offer.
These are only suggestions that may help (you might both think of others) but I found when I asked direct questions my GP was able to give me specific answers. On one occasion I had a phone call the same day from the hospital with an appointment the following day.
I am sorry that your friend is going through this and it is good that he has someone looking out for him. I hope that you can both get some answers quickly and he can at least get a timescale to work towards.
Jane
