Post Surgery

Hi Magpie

if you want to ask any questions about what you may be facing regarding surgery, of course I can only give you answers based on my own journey, but if you’re looking for a possible answer, give me a shout and I’ll do my best to answer on my own experience if it’s comparable, I’m an open book on here so feel free to ask away, or indeed anyone else if they think they need to.

John

Thank John 

your offer is appreciated . I ‘think ‘ I’m pretty clued up having spoken to a few who have had it done . Afterwards may well be another  matter ! 

cheers 

Op day +12

today was the day for catheter removal, which to be honest about, is a day I’ve been looking forward to and dreading in the same measure, this procedure is apparently called TWOC Trial WithOut Catheter. I always thought it was something to do with stolen cars but what do I know.

Over the last 3 days or so when I’ve stood up from lying down or needed a no.2 or even just to break wind I’ve had this excruciating need to go for a pee. With the catheter in place I’ve been sat on the toilet trying to relax & breath through this discomfort, it passes quickly but I’ve now become expectant of it, dreading it happening, but with the removal of the catheter due today I’ve put up with it.

Today at Castle Hill Hospital I had the removal carried out, previously I’d asked others about their experience, one said, no problem, the other said it was agony, so I went into the room not knowing quite what to expect, though I mentioned the above issue and with no other symptom present they put it down to irritation of the bladder by the catheter.

I asked the nurse, on a scale of 1 to 10 how much this was likely to hurt, she replied just lay back, take a deep breath, when I tell you to breathe out, it’ll be all over, well, I have to say, without making this into a joke, that I thought she’d got more in her hand than was supposed to have been there, it was white lightning pain, luckily it subsided quickly & 15 minutes later it was all good.

I was provided with a cup of tea & a litre of water to drink and half an hour later I was peeing into a jug in the toilet, (I couldn’t have stopped myself going if I’d tried) so they could see the colour, measure the quantity & see if there was any debris in it. I was as sent back to the waiting area and ten minutes later, recalled back through for a scan on my bladder to see how much pee I had retained, if it was more than 300ml then I’d have to stay, mine was 86ml so I was good to go.

Within 5 minutes I was dancing & squirming and needing to go again so I shot off to the loo to pee, and again I had no power to stop it. Now I felt better, so we got in the car to go home with a stop off for a celebratory McD but whilst sat waiting in the car I had to get out and rush off to pee once more, again no way could I stop it.

I’m now at home sat in my garden in the sun, typing this out, I’m in shorts and not baggy pants for the first time in 12 days, I feel a bit bruised down below but otherwise completely comfortable, not feeling that I need the loo, yes I’m wearing a manpad because I don’t know how my waterworks will go, but I’m home, I’m happy back with my family.

Today…today is a good day

John

Hello John (JohnyBoy) 

Thanks for the detailed report. It's a great help to anyone following in your footsteps.

Now the catheter is out you need to start the pelvic floor exercises to start to regain your control. Here's a link you may find of use:

shop.prostatecanceruk.org/.../pelvic-floor-muscle-exercises

There's also the Squeezy App from a well known app store.

A catheter change is always a slight worry. I had 3 or 4 over a 10 month period and had no issues although mine were done by a specialist nurse in urology rather than a general surgical nurse.

It took a couple of weeks for me to regain full control and I confess a pair of "big boy pants" were worn "just in case" when I had a long day out visiting the Manchester Christmas markets.

Best wishes - Brian.

Thanks for that John very helpful as I now know what might be expected 

Hi Brian 

that’s a v helpful post  I’ve just got the Squeezy app and must get on with it .I will also look at the link you included 

I must say I’m getting increasingly twitchy about what is going to be an , at least , 9 week wait between clear bone scan and op  .asked this morning about a PSMA PET CT scan before op . Don’t hold out much hope as they are at least £3.5 k apparently and was not offered when I asked about the implications of a delay at my last consultation 

thanks again to all 

Well done John, trust me it get easier every few days, and getting that catheter out psychologically will give you the feeling that you are "on the mend, albeit gradually.

I would strongly encourage daily use of the NHS Squeezy App for your pelvic floor muscles. I've been doing so since day 1 and am virtually dry now and will probably not need to purchase any more Tena mens when this packet is done !

All the best BM

I must admit that I had a celebratory McD after finishing my radiotherapy.  Reminds me of the old fresh cream cake advert ''Naughty but nice''.  

Enjoy the sunshine 

Hi John. Great news to hear it went well. I’m also due for the op at Castle Hill in August. Mr Mills is my consultant. Let us know how the recovery is going. Paul 

Glad to hear it oot .just get on with your exercises now . But honestly just take it easy and take care 

regards 

Liz & OH XXX