Thought it might be helpful for some men out there to know about my holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) experience. There is little on the web of the patient’s experience, just medical leaflets which although helpful, lack the personal experience. Apologies to my friends and regular blog readers, maybe skip this post completely unless you’re particularly interested.
The actual procedure of getting me ready for the theatre was almost the same as this previous post. The conversation with the anaesthetist was different. Firstly she was Russian and as bright and thorough as anything. She commented that I may also have a stent fitted in the tube between my right kidney and my bladder. As I knew nothing of this, she said I should discuss it with the surgeon. She also explained that my anaesthetic would be a little different from before; I would be out for longer and she would be feeding me some antibiotics and narcotics. I was intrigued and she simply said “don’t worry, you won’t wake up a drug addict but you will feel good afterwards”.
The surgeon was actually a registrar and one of the two surgeons who would be working together on the procedure. I asked about the stent and he explained it may or may not be required. Either way there was some concern about my right kidney being swollen, possibly through urine still backing up and they would monitor the situation.
Off to theatre
I was asked to get changed at 10am and it was time for Rachel to leave. As before, I got changed, was taken to the theatre floor, my belongings were stored securely and then I was met by a theatre nurse. Yet again my identity was checked, I was in for the HoLEP operation and a few other details.
I was taken through to the little room next to the theatre where the nurse and the anaesthetist worked very quickly. Massage things on my legs, electrical monitors on my chest, blood pressure band on my arm and a cannula inserted in my hand. I was given a little injection where I would feel a little light headed and then asked to give my consent for the stent to be fitted, if necessary – talk about just in time! Next I had a larger injection of anaesthetic and quickly I became drowsy. I was asked to hold an oxygen mask over my face but I can’t remember doing it. I was out!
Recovery ward
Next I woke up in the recovery ward, vaguely aware of a nurse fussing around doing things and I could hear beeping from the monitor nearby. A little tube with oxygen was placed just under my nose as I continued to wake up.
I had a strange looking catheter coming out of me. Water was flowing into my bladder from a drip stand and then draining out into a container on the side of the bed. It was full of blood mixed with the water and I had quite a lot of congealed blood on me. Mr Khan the consultant urologist and surgeon came to see me. I hadn’t met him before and I thought he was very pleasant and explained the operation lasted 1 hour 45 minutes and went well. He added I will have further appointments to check all is well and a scan of my kidneys. He will see me in two days and I’ll be able to try peeing without a catheter – first time in over six months – I’m really looking forward to that!
Back to my attentive nurse. She said I could go home soon providing I can eat a sandwich and have a drink without throwing up. I managed that alright, actually I was very thirsty. I was given a sandwich of processed cheese on white bread – so unhealthy! She cleaned me up, someone brought some discharge paperwork and I was asked to get dressed.
I was feeling a little unsteady on my feet, needing to take things slowly. I sent a text message to Rachel who then came to collect me. On our way home I said I’d like some ice cream or something that would slip down easily. We stopped and Rachel popped into Lidl and came out suitably armed with some treats. At home I had an ice cream and a cup of tea, then threw up!
To be honest, I think I was discharged too soon. I was still passing quite a lot of blood, the anaesthetic was still at work, I wasn’t feeling in control of my body and I didn’t have the wherewithal to argue. While I don’t exactly like hospitals, I think it would have been better for me to have stayed a little longer.
And today
I slept reasonably well, very conscious of the anaesthetic wearing off. I’m a bit delicate, still passing lots of blood but this is normal for the first few days and I’m drinking plenty of water. My throat is sore from the breathing tube while I was asleep. I’m feeling a little sluggish, certainly below par and improving all the time.
So far so good. I am really looking forward to tomorrow to see how I manage without this catheter.
For the benefit of a certain friend, this catheter is 7.3mm in diameter!!!!
