"Prostrate resection surgery ( TURPS )"

I have had prostrate problems for twenty years, and dreaded the day that I should have to face up to a visit to hospital. (I have always had a phobia about hospitals, to the extent that I wouldn't even drive past one if I could go another way around) At Easter weekend this year, my problem became acute, able to pass what were quite literally only a few drops of urine at a time. I had no choice but to visit A&E at BRI and needed a catheter fitted to drain my system. Oh the relief after 4 days of not weeing. It was recommended to my horror that I have a prostrate resection... TURPS... My worst nightmare come true... But I managed to deal with it, convincing myself that this was a journey that I hadn't been on before. The staff at BRI are excellent, friendly, informative and very reassuring. Everyone was so friendly even the ancillary staff were brilliant. So what had been my problem with hospitals I wondered. My surgery was scheduled for early June, and a very apprehensive me arrived at BRI. Here I was greeted and spoken to by the anaesthetist, consultant surgeon and a specialist nurse, all of whom were able to answer my questions and explain in detail what was about to take place, I was advised as to the best options etc and reassured as much as I could ever be under the circumstances. I was given a spinal anaesthetic, Even this I was very apprehensive about ...the initial numbing injections were like minute bee stings, nothing more, the main injection didn't feel like an injection at all, it only felt like a pushing sensation, no pain at all with that one... the numbness was strange though, as my lower body couldn't be moved at all, not even to shuffle my bum about. The procedure probably took about 45 minutes, the time went quickly, and I was taken back to a small ward to wait for the numbness to wear off and feeling to return to my limbs. I was feeling absolutely fine. I was given a mug of tea and a cheese sandwich and everything was fine. My stay in Hospital was for two nights in Ward 14 the Urology Ward, the nurses were brilliant, patient and gentle, all were good. I thought this is just too straightforward, no pain, no discomfort... almost a non event really, even though I'd just had what I was told was major surgery for a man. And now I've just arrived back at home. No trauma, still no pain except a discomfort when weeing. That's the very least I expected after having my prostrate hollowed out. Everything was exactly as the medical staff said it would be. I still have to have a follow up check in a few weeks time, to discuss the outcome and the results of biopsies of the bits they sliced off... hopefully everything will be ok. So If you're facing this procedure... TURPS is its official title... its nothing to be afraid of, get it sorted. Twenty years ago it may have been painful and traumatic, but it certainly isn't now.