My Dad had his bladder, one kidney and his prostate removed on 2/25/08. He is just beginning to get his strength back and acclimate to the urostomy bag.
Today he had his second follow-up visit at the University of Chicago. He was informed that he now has to have a second operation to remove his urethra. When the surgeon was asked why this was not removed during the first operation, his response was sometimes they take it, sometimes they don't, and that he had so much removed during the 7 hour operation. He also said that my Dad must have his urethra removed as soon as possible because there is a 20% chance that the cancer can return.
My family is extremely upset at this development particularly because we had been told after the first surgery that no chemo/radiation or other treatment would be needed. That his lymph nodes were clear, etc. My Dad will be 79 years old in a few months. If he agrees to a second operation, he will have to repeat pre-op tests and again be put under general anesthesia and endure another hospital stay in Chicago (he lives out of State).
Is it just me or does there appear that an error was made in not removing the urethra during the first operation? Can someone share any thoughts on this with us?
Thanks, Debbie
