"Prostate Cancer Operation"

In mid October 2016 I had my prostate gland and lymph nodes removed at The Royal County Hospital Guildford which was successful and without any complications. I was discharged on the afternoon of the next day feeling well. I was given good reason to believe that the cancer cells were completely removed and I will be on active monitoring in future.

The surgery follows my GP referring me to Frimley Park Hospital when my regular PSA level checks exceeded the guidelines. I was examined by a Urology Consultant/ Surgeon and his team who carried out a template guided biopsy under anesthetic after having arranged for MRI and Bone Scans. The biopsy showed an aggressive form of cancer which thankfully was contained within the prostate gland. I elected for surgery after discussing my options with my Consultant and his team for a variety of reasons.

He referred me to Royal Surrey County Hospital for surgery. I met and discussed surgery with the Urology Consultant/ Surgeon and his team and fully understood everything my choice of surgery would involve pre the operation, the actual surgery and post operational care and side effects.

From the Biopsy to discharge was about 10 weeks and in my opinion was a Master Class in the organisation and logistics needed to coordinate all aspects of a complex operation to a successful conclusion across two hospitals. The Back Office teams who ensured that the skilled teams carrying out the diagnosis, the surgery and post operative care were available and had all the facilities needed to carry out their respective roles in the overall successful treatment of my cancer were exemplary. I make particular note of both the Consultant/ Surgeons at Frimley Park and Royal Surrey County Hospitals assigning a Clinical Nurse Cancer Specialist to be my contact between the Surgical teams and the Consultants answering my queries and concerns at all times. I did contact the Specialist Nurses from time to time as I entered the unknowns following my surgery which was very comforting.

I have not underestimated the robust processes that enabled my successful surgery especially because across the two hospitals there must be many dozens of surgical procedures to be organised and carried out every day.