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Suggestions for questions of surgeon following RARP
Hi,
I'm meeting tomorrow morning with the surgeon who performed my RARP two weeks ago this past Monday. Unfortunately I haven't yet received any pathology reports, but presumably/hopefully he might have them for me.
Allowing for that uncertainty, might you have any suggestions as to what I should ask him about?
For a refresher, I had what was Gleason 8 / Class 4 in some cores, but with no visible escape beyond the organ itself. He also did lymphodectomy, so hopefully those are negative as well. So beyond questions about that, margins, etc. I'm wondering it there's anything else I should discuss.
I'm recovering pretty well, BTW, aside from bladder control issues, that is...
THANKS!
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There really isn’t much to discuss besides the biopsy report.
Plans for the future testing. PSA how soon and often.
Any drugs, you should be taking?
How did the doctor feel the surgery went? Were there any surprises or anything he feels you should know are issues.
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2 ReactionsI'd suggest checking the patient portal of whatever lab did the prostate pathology. Your report might be available to you there. Mine was. Ditto for the surgeons report/notes of the operation.
As far as questions for the meeting, here's a few you might want to consider:
-- if you don't then have copies, ask for copies of the pathology report and the surgeons notes/report
-- if he was able to spare the nerves
-- ask about penile rehab. Pills, vacuum device, shots; what does he recommend. Or does he have a referral to a good sexual health doctor for post-proctectomy penile rehab.
-- Sloan Memorial has free access to their database that'll give you some statistics on the likelihood of reoccurrence based on a few questions. You might want to look at the questions (there's only a few) and make sure you get the data so you can answer the questions. Then you can see some hard data on the likelihood of reoccurrence of people with post-surgery pathology similar to yours. Here's the link: https://www.mskcc.org/nomograms/prostate/post_op
Best wishes.
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4 ReactionsYes, the main questions should be about the pathology report and after that about incontinence and ED if applicable. Ask for referral for a good PT and for sexual health therapist IF he does not offer any direction or help in that regard.
Our hospital offers PT but my husband did not find it very useful. Luckily his incontinence is improving nicely with exercises that he does at home. Urologist also prescribed Cialis and recommended a pump as well as a pharmacy that sells pumps, so no complaints there.
Wishing you great pathology report with super clean margins, zero EPE or SV issues 🍀🍀🍀 !!! All the rest will be corrected in time "this or that way" 😉.
BEST OF LUCK and keep us posted 👍😊🌺
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1 ReactionThanks all of you for your suggestions!
Yes, I do already have. an appointment scheduled with a urological PT, who I previously met prior to the surgery.
Thanks for that nomogram link! Hopefully after tomorrow I'll have the data to plug. into it.
Ah well, here's hoping...!
Good night / morning!
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