Decision time draws near

Not sure about other hospitals but they did this during John's op 6 years ago - that was how they knew to take away some of the bottom of his bladder. Mr P told us that it is down to the experience of the surgeon and whether or not he is confident of what his eyes and fingers (with open surgery) are telling him - if unsure, instant pathology can be used. The downside is that you are knocked out for longer and generally speaking, anaesthetists want their patients under GA for as short a time as possible.

my OH had a template biopsy in Feb (46 cores). The catheter was removed before he came round from op. He was allowed home once he could pee and had to have someone with him for 24 hours (becasue of the general). He had ciprofloxacin and tamsulosin after op. Lots of bruising of scrotum and, unusually, developed a prostate infection that is proving hard to shift. His recovery apart from that was quite quick. Sitting was a bit uncomfortable. The template biopsy provides much more info than the TRUS because the entire gland can be sampled. No more blood in urine/semen than with TRUS
Hope all goes well with the biopsy and with surgery later if that's what you opt for
B

Hello everyone.

Well. Today I have made my decision, and it has not been an easy one. I have just returned from the final planned Consultation. This time it was at the Lister, Stevanage, also out of county for me. I only got called on Wednesday (I had been waiting) after we got back from Epping for the HIFU consultation. I was also booked in for pre-biopsy med next week, and Template Biopsy the week after, needed for HIFU.

I had decided that if this new Biopsy was going to be no help for RP, then I would not have it, and depending on what Mr A [name removed by Moderator] said today, I would make my decision. He was the first of the 5 Consultants to actually have my MRI on screen 'live' to move around. My own County couldn't manage that. He showed the tumour on my one side was fairly large and possibly a bit close to the capsule edge. This guy does the Neurosave pathology during the surgery - or rather his pathologist does, whilst he carries on taking out my lympth nodes and sows the bladder back on. So both sides will be analysed, and he will then decide whether both nerves can be saved...or probably just the one. He did say though that even with one nerve, erections have a 50% chance, and that's based on all ages, not a fit spring-chicken 56 year old like me!!!

So yes - as you can guess I have rejected HIFU and Brachy. Today he said that HIFU really was not suitable at my age for what I've got, plus the PSA is 13 etc etc. He came across very well. He is rather popular so I have to wait 8 weeks...currently booked for June 21st. He says the wait won't matter, though he has said I should get a bone scan. It 'will be clear' he said, but due to the PSA, it should be done.

So there we are. RP it is. Flippin' 'eck....what a decision.

I have to thank you all for correspondence over the last few weeks. I just hope I have made the right choice. Actually, this was what I thought I would have to choose right at the start. I just had to explore all options.

Cheers everyone for now.

Edited by moderator 15 Apr 2016 at 18:10  | Reason: Not specified

Good for you!
Your situation is very similar to mine (4+3, big, peripheral lump making HIFU not right. I am 50 and in good health, generally).
I am day 22 post-op. The leaking is improving, but still there, particularly if I move. No erections, but surgeon said my nerves were spared so hopefully they will return sooner rather than later.
Have you found out about penile rehab? I believe you just will have ED because the nerves are 'stunned' even if they are spared, and take a minimum of some weeks to recover. They will want you to be getting erections about 3 times a week, one way or another, to prevent the fibrosis that seems to result from the limited blood supply associated with being flaccid all the time. So if viagra-like tablets don't give you erections (and they need the nerve to be working) it is usually injections for a while. I have an appointment next week with the nurse who looks after erections in our service! I think she will be getting me to inject ... you can use the time after the operation to get your head around that if you haven't already.

I feel as if I am making progress and I plan to go back to work in 10 days. I sit most of the time at work, which for me involves next to no leaking.

Good luck!

Henry

David - good news that you are clear in your mind now but naming medics is against the rules so perhaps best to edit your post :-(

Henry, don't be disappointed if they make you go through 6 or 9 months of alternatives before they give in and prescribe injections ... particularly as there is a national shortage of caverject at the moment so even with a px you might not be able to get it :-(