A busy week last week piles of information and now the wait

Gleason Score from Prostate Cancer UK guide

Just back from letting my doctors know what is happening and finding out how to contact the district nurse if needed after the operation.

So last week we had one appointment with the designated personal nurse - 2 hours and the pre op appointment where further tests were done last Friday which lasted an hour.

The first meeting had lots of information including my current Gleason score of 7 as shown above, which given the circumstances was about as good as I could have hoped for.

We were informed 9/22 of the samples taken at the biopsy had cancer in them and that the level is currently T2 where the cancer is seen on scans but is believed to be contained within the Prostate. I am also fortunate enough not to require having the lymph glands removed.

The other good news was it is only in the left side of the Prostate so at worst it should be a unilateral nerve saving operation. The nerves impact the sexual feelings you have after.

So overall the stage is described as Localised (early) which is why I was provided with the three options of treatment.

In terms of the operation we were informed I have the joys of an epidural to look forward to before the general anesthetic is administered, antibiotics,  the joys of wearing flight socks.

Afterwards I will need to be injecting heparin for 2-4 weeks, have the joys of a catheter for at least two weeks and then incontinence recovery and no caffeine and preferable no alcohol. Guess a lock in at the pub is out of the question for a while!

Pain control is simply the classic Ibuprofen and Paracetamol mix. You also may be provided with some Codeine if necessary.

I have to say the treatment we have been provided with to date has been excellent and provides you with every opportunity to discover what is going to happen to you with total transparency as long as you are not too embarrassed to ask the personal questions in this situation nobody minds.

We were also informed how important it is to keep mobile and move around as much as your body will allow as soon as possible without overdoing it.

In terms of driving a minimum of 2 weeks but if able you can be a passenger if you are fit enough to get to places.

On the Friday I answered a lot of standard questions that you would expect, had an ECG, blood test weight height measured and received more information and 3 drinks you have to take for energy prior to the op . 2 the night before and one in the morning, in our case early as we need to be at the hospital for 7am.  Also found out to turn up with own PJ's and dressing gown. Everything else to be brought in the evening for a one night stay. Likely to be home again late the following day when the fun begins !

So now the wait for the operation,

We are already preparing and buying items we are going to need. I am to keep this updated as events occur.

Right now everything is focused on the build up to the operation and quite obviously a major topic of conversation ! Feeling ok about it so far.