Dear People,
I have returned home after 10 days in Strathfield Private. The operation was
a success. The cancer was confined within the margins of the prostate and
the biopsy of the lymph nodes was negative. Nerve sparing was also
successful. I would like to thank all those good folk who sent me support as
I was freaking out in anticipation. Pain management was good via self
administered morphine, only required for 2 days and the pain level really
didn't rise above 3 to 4 out of a 10 score. I don't have the actual scores
yet but prior to surgery I was Geeson 6 (2+4) with a PSA of 5.7. I turn 66
in 2 weeks time.

Post operative my energy levels have returned but I'm taking it easy
although I am doing plenty of walking. Glad to return to my Vegan plus diet.
I'm not a food Nazi but I prefer not to eat meat if I can avoid it, much
prefer raw vegetables and fresh fruit with a bit of sea food.
The long stay in hospital was mainly due to my surgeon not wanting me to
return home with a catheter etc.

Financial details:
The Australian National Health system plus my Private Health Insurance pays
all of the accommodation costs.
Total out of pocket expenses should be around au$4,000 mainly due to the
"gap" between what the funds pay and what the surgeon and anaesthetist
charge. This becomes a tax deduction in this financial year so effectively
reduces by about 50%

regards

Fred Pickering