"Post Radical Prostatectomy"

It all happened so fast. Accepting that I ought to get a blood test, to being told I had Prostate Cancer.

I did the research and decided that my best choice was to have the Prostate removed. The scan & biopsy suggested the cancer was contained, so remove the Prostate...remove the cancer. Christmas was strange with alot of emotions and it was a case of please hurry up!

Late January saw me walk into the Urology Unit at the City Hospital. I felt quite calm. All the staff were great and one of the supporting Doctors talked me throughout what was going to happen. Their priority were 1. Remove the cancer. 2. Continence following the procedure. 3 A sex life afterwards.

The operation went well and I went home the next day. I had a catheter for 10 days.

After this I could start my pelvic floor exercises.

I found it quite hard to remember to do them, the only reminder was when you had a leak! My continence nurse saw me 6 weeks later & encouraged me to persevere.

The next big milestone was having the post-op blood test. Had the operation been a success?

I think I was more nervous going to the hospital that day. Had it worked, would there be a clitch?

Thankfully the PSA result was just a trace & the biopsy of the surrounding tissue was 100% negative. My original Gleeson score was upgraded from (3+4) 7 to a (4+3) 7 so I was even more glad I'd taken the operation route.

5 months on from my operation my second blood test is scheduled.

I spoke with my Continence Nurse recently & I reported much improved bladder control. I've been much more diligent doing the exercises and can really notice the difference.

Hopefully the next blood test will be as good as the last & I can hopefully put this episode behind me.

The NHS is undoubtedly under pressure but I cannot speak highly enough of the people who have taken care of me. Everyone had been professional & caring. Thank you