Things came to a head when after being diagnosed with BPH and prescribed Tamulosine and Finasteride, I suffered an episode of urine retention. Having been admitted to hospital, it was decided that I would need to self catheterise three times per day. After about six months and feeling I was going nowhere as regards my condition, after speaking with my consultant I was offered to go on a waiting list for Urolift or Taup (the electric knife). I researched both procedures and neither was acceptable to me. I had read in the Daily Mail about Rezum - a procedure which was not invasive and recovery was quick.
I contacted Urology Partners and was fortunate to be able to have a conversation with Professor Hindley which was both encouraging and informative. At my initial consultation, my preference was for Rezum, but on examination Professor Hindley established that my prostate was too large, and that Greenlight Laser was more suitable in my case. I had already researched this procedure and was ready to receive it if Rezum was unsuitable for me. I had my pre operation tests that same afternoon and was back on the road to Liverpool, all in a few hours.On the day of the procedure, I was shown to my comfortable room at the Hampshire Clinic and I saw Professor Hindley, the anaesthetist, and urology specialist nurse Anita Purver.
Having had a general anaesthetic I stayed at the clinic overnight and had excellent treatment from all staff , including expert care from Anita Purver. I had my catheter in for nine days, a few days more than normal because the treatment fell over the Easter holiday. My catheter was removed, I was monitored most of that day for fluid intake and urine measurements, then my urine retention reading in my bladder was recorded and all the parameters were acceptable, and I was discharged.I returned to The Hampshire Clinic after three months for an evaluation of my waterworks and everything was fine.
As for my quality of life, well I feel as though I have been blessed, my life has changed so much for the better. My children and grandchildren live in Gibraltar so that was my first destination without having to self catheterise, and I have just returned from a motoring holiday to France. After having been told that my prostate was too large to operate on by my NHS consultant, to having the Greenlight Laser procedure my life has turned around. Many thanks to Professor Richard Hindley and Anita Purver - they work together like the Dynamic Duo, and all staff at The Hampshire Clinic.
At the age of 70, I have now stopped taking my prostate medication since the day of my Greenlight procedure, and also enjoy the luxury of not having to get up in the night to go to the loo.