"After Bowel Cancer Surgery what then?"

After Bowel Cancer Surgery what then?

In my previous posts in September and 6th October 2017 I gave NHS Lincolnshire FIVE stars for their superb actions in detecting and removing a Cancer from my bowel.

However, some four and half weeks on from my operation – from which I have thankfully recovered really well – I am unable to pass urine unaided.

The catheter inserted during surgery was removed on the third day after my bowel operation. However, owing to the exceptional diligence of a nurse on Ward 2 at Grantham who noticed I had gone into retention a doctor was called to reinsert a catheter on the fifth day after my operation.

I was then recalled to Grantham Urology department on Wednesday 11th October 2017 for a trial without catheter (TWOC). The two nurses who attended to me at this time were most considerate, kind and compassionate.

The trial however proved to be in vain and I opted to try Intermittent Self Catheterisation. I was given a telephone number and contact should I have any future problems, concerns or just require reassurance about the procedure or my progress.

It is now 2 weeks since the TWOC and on Thursday and Friday of last week both I and my local practice doctor telephoned the so called help line but no response has been forthcoming despite messages been left for a call back.

The aim of the calls were to ascertain what action was to follow and why no further appointment had been arranged at a Urology department to investigate why, after being admitted for bowel surgery I am now, at the age of 68 years faced with (as far as I know) a lifetime of self-catheterisation.

So NHS Lincolnshire would you please respond to my submission to at least provide me with some re-assurance that I have not been forgotten or abandoned.

Communication is everything!!!!!!! So on this occasion only TWO stars.

MJT