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Homepage – Forum Forums Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer What is normal wait for a radical cystectomy

Viewing 10 posts - 1 through 10 (of 10 total)
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  • #8388
    suzYkskier
    Participant

    We were told 4 to 8 weeks and this wednesday will be 7 weeks. They usually call 1 week in advance (we need to travel by jet and reserve) … this is getting to be a bit on the late side. Should we call? Any examples of long wait list. With a HGT1 and no treatments underway…

    I find the waiting with the medical system the second most stressful thing, the first is the brushing off to emergencies. Thoughts. caregiver suz.

    #20624
    Jack Moon
    Keymaster

    I would recommend you call your surgeon or the hospital. Yes 7 weeks is a long wait time should be closer to 4 weeks at most hospitals.
    All the best and good luck with the surgery.
    Jack

    #20631
    Treeline
    Participant

    I called the surgeon’s office last Tuesday, and was told they would get me in about mid June or so. I then got a call from U of A Hospital yesterday pm that my RC surgery is scheduled for next Friday, 10 June. We will fly down to Edmonton on Tuesday for prep stuff on Wednesday. Now that the wait is over and the surgery date is set, the anxiety is surging. Didn’t sleep well last night…

    Bob

    #20633
    SJay
    Participant

    Good luck with your RC. I’m almost 2 months out from mine. I tried to follow all the ERAS procedures as much as possible, particularly getting up and moving, and was out in 6 days. Leave all modesty at home as you won’t be needing it at the hospital or afterwards with the ostomy nurse. Let us know if there is anything you want to know about. There is a lot of experience on the forum.

    #20634
    Treeline
    Participant

    Hi SJay
    I’m getting my head wrapped around the details. What are ERAS procedures?
    Thanks

    #20635
    SJay
    Participant

    Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. They give you all sorts of tasks to do like sucking on an incentive spirometer, chewing gum, walking, etc. In my case, the staff never really had time to make sure I got everything done, but my wife kept me honest.

    #20636
    marysue
    Participant

    Hi Treeline:

    We have pilots of ERAS going on here in Alberta in relation to colon surgeries and I believe it has been extended elsewhere. Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) as mentioned is a program where they do things to try to get you up faster and hopefully recovering quicker and in a better way. In the colon surgery pilots patients were sometimes given something to eat or drink almost right as soon as they woke up, were up out of bed the same day, wearing a special warming gown prior to surgery to prevent core body temperature drop. Some patients were also asked to keep journals.

    The problem(s) have been that the surgeon has to agree to be part of the program before any of his patients can be part of it as the protocols have to be ordered by the surgeon and not all hospital staff are aware of the program either. We have found that some patients that were supposed to have or get certain things didn’t because staff weren’t aware of ERAS or the patient due to a bed shortage ended up in a different unit post surgery where ERAS wasn’t part of the regular recovery scene.

    Despite the inconsistencies, the program has been proven to be favourable so if you have the opportunity to be part of it, I’d discuss it with your medical team as it could benefit you especially with the knowledge that you are in a remote area and will need to know what and how to care for yourself even more so than the average person.

    Best Wishes going forward. Let us know how it goes. ((((((HUGS))))))

    #20637
    SJay
    Participant

    Thanks for the explanation marysue. I should have said something about the program’s purpose. I had thought Alberta was quite a ways further along than BC in acceptance (from what I had heard) but maybe not. Unfortunately the BC ERAS patient guide for cystectomies is still in draft form and not available on-line. Treeline, if there is anything available for Alberta I’m sure they will provide it for you, particularly if you ask about it, which I would encourage you to do.

    #20666
    suzYkskier
    Participant

    The RC went well and recovery is painful but going good so far. On ERAS. UOA urology did not seem to be part of the trial, however, the surgeons and anastesist, may have been following some of the protocols. Instructions included some aspects of ERAs, like carboloading 3 hrs before surgery (glasses of apple juice), PDA pump, early walking, and no NG tube…. Found the staff at UOA Edmonton to be stellar! They all know their stuff and are always there to help and answer questions. The knew about ERAS even if not part of aprogram, and discussed some aspects of it with us. No wonder the doctor selected this hospital for his complicated procedures like RCs. Thanks all for your support and all the good info! Still in hospital on day 5 post op, but one day at a time, and may they be better and better.

    #20672
    Gord
    Participant

    So glad to hear that the RC went well and that recovery is progressing. I remember when I had my RC (with Neobladder) in June 2013, that I felt a sense of relief to finally get to the post-surgery point, as my cancerous bladder was gone, and I could concentrate on recovery. In many ways this part of the journey – the recovery – is the hardest, but recover you will, in time. A wise friend told me to measure my progress week to week and not day to day, as there will be good days and then there will be those other days. Good to see the two of you are in this together! Will be continuing to follow your progress.
    Gord

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