Guestbook

Am 12.9.2024 jährt sich nun zum ersten Mal mein Operationstermin zur Entfernung der Prostata in der Martiniklinik. Ein guter Anlass, jetzt endlich auch in das Gästebuch zu schreiben. Die Untersuchung nach der der sorgsam durchgeführten Fusionsbiopsie in der Martiniklinik diagnostizierte bei mir einen hoch aggressiven Krebs, der guterweise noch nicht gestreut hatte. In sorgsamer Voraussicht wurde dann sehr kurzfristig ein OP Termin nach der da Vinci Methode möglich gemacht. Die sorgsam durchgeführte OP durch Prof. Salomon und sein Team und die respektvolle und würdigende Nachsorge durch ihn und die pflegenden Mitarbeitenden habe ich in sehr guter Erinnerung. Und es waren auch die kleinen Geesten, die über die angespannte Situation in der ersten 2 Tagen nach der OP mir hinweg halfen: die Wärmflasche, das Kühlkissen, die Creme für die schmerzende Schulter, der achtsame Umgang in der Nachsorge oder auch ein tröstendes Wort.

Sicher hilft in dieser schwierigen Situation auch ein eigenes, durchweg positives Denken und Fühlen sowie ein optimistisches Grundgefühl, dazu kann ich nur allen Betroffenen ermuntern.

In großer Demut und Dankbarkeit bin ich seit der OP nun bis zum heutigen Tage krebsfrei und danke heute auf diesem Wege den Mitarbeitenden auf allen meinen Stationen in der Klinik von ganzem Herzen. Ich bin froh, dass ich in Ihrer Klinik aufgenommen wurde und meine Erkrankung von Ihnen behandelt wurde. Bei Ihnen ist man in sehr guten Händen.

Alles Gute für Sie und Ihre wertvolle Arbeit am Menschen!

Nov 2022 PSA +10

Mar 2023 MRI – Lesion noted

July 2023 Biopsy – Gleason score - 9

Oct 2023 Obtained private MRI – no changes noted from Mar 2023

Met radiologist at CancerCare to discuss potential radiation therapy

Due to age recommended surgery

Nov 2023 Met Manitoba, Canada surgeon, instructed only open surgery available, due to location of lesion location left nerve could not be spared and second nerve may not be spared.

Dec 6, 2023 Contacted Martini Klinik to set up initial consultation – they required MRI less than 3 months old among other documents that my general practitioner and urologist provided.

Dec 13, 2023 Spoke with Toronto, Canada surgeon (asked my urologist to refer surgeon performing robotic surgery) who could not perform surgery until Mar/Apr 2024

Dec 19, 2023 Spoke with Prof Heinzer, surgeon at Martini and given the option for Jan 11, 2024 surgery with a requirement to test for certain resistant bacteria.

Jan 16, 2023 Due to a flight delay my surgery was rescheduled with Prof Graefen

Note admitting urologist performed digital exam and confirmed that lesion when GP and urologist did not detect (Martini Klinik urologist palpated prostate, uncomfortable but effective at detection)

Surgery successful, surgeon noted that he removed several layers of nerve tissue at the beginning of the surgery. Removed nominal nerve tissue that was sent to pathology with results returned before surgery ended to determine if nerve could be spared. In my case only first layer indicated traces of cancerous tissue therefore all but nominal amount of removed nerve tissue was spared.

Excellent care from all professionals for my one week stay (recommended extended stay for overseas patients). Very friendly and competent staff that were very comprehensive. I met my surgeon who took the time to discuss my case and sent a physical therapist and a psychologist (I requested) and they both provided helpful recovery recommendations and expectations.

My experience with “after sales service” was outstandingly good. My complications were dealt with speedily and competently – this was after being discharged.

Because I experienced no pain after the surgery (except some C02 gas pain clearing in the first few post surgery days – C02 used during surgery), only a little discomfort, I likely walked too much:

Jan 18: 7738 steps, Jan 19: 5552 steps, Jan 20: 5408 steps and Jan: 25 11,368 steps

Complications (I believe related to over activity) catheter removed 10 days after test date (which would normally have been removed immediately after test). Lymphatic fluid first drained into scrotum (cleared after elevating) and fluid found a path out of a “pin hole” of one of the suture lines. No fluid drained out of suture one day after returning home Jan 27 – after taking only a few steps that day.

Three weeks after surgery potency restored (utilizing recommended therapies of 5 mg Tadalafil and penis pump)

Six weeks post surgery continence slowly being restored. Essentially continent until ~ 4 p.m. and then I plan on not walking or standing much. Sitting and lying down perfectly continent. Note: 10 additional days with a catheter may be slowing return to continence. It appears sphincter gets “tired” later in the day and stops holding but that window of continence appears to become longer every day.

I began physiotherapy 4 weeks after surgery and the therapist indicated the therapy only potentially speeds up continence restoration.

In speaking with a client, he indicated that his brother who resides in southern Germany, was diagnosed with prostate cancer by his urologist. Because his brother’s urologist was also a close friend he declined to operate on him and instead recommended he take the trek to Hamburg to the Martini Klinik and that is when I decided it was worth the trip to go to a place that had such a high recommendation. I found my fellow patients very friendly –1/3 of them were physicians themselves, further indication that this clinic is the best of the best. My surgeon shared that the nerve sparing surgeons are a community that know each other well and he indicated that a Florida surgeon is also very competent, however I believe the costs would be significantly higher. For those North Americans who self insure this becomes a cost/benefit analysis but because of my experience I would make the longer trip to Germany.

I have no regrets coming to this clinic and would recommend it to any active (value nerve sparing), relatively young/healthy patients (able to travel) who have the resources for the surgery.

I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer last autumn at 57 years old. It came as an unpleasant shock “out of nowhere” to disrupt my active family, social and business life. The good news was that it was treatable and potentially curable. As a scientist I submerged myself in research on treatment options and outcomes and it was during this process I came across the Martini Klinik and in particular a publication from the group detailing long term results for prostatectomies for nearly 11,000 men. The data on oncological outcome and functional outcomes was very convincing, and as I did more research I was impressed by the specialization model that the Klinik was built on resulting in deep expertise and an emphasis on a robust quality assurance program. As I live in Canada it was a little logistically daunting to plan a trip like this, but the administration at the Klinik and UKE were fabulous so I made my decision and flew to Hamburg in February. Professor Graefen (Maestro!) performed my procedure using the DaVinci robot on Feb 23rd 2023.

Everything about my stay at the Martini Klinik was fantastic. The nursing staff was as you would expect highly trained in the care of patients post prostatectomy but in addition were kind, patient (I had lots of questions), cheerful and fun! I had lots of conversations not only about my recovery, but Hamburg, bikes, music etc. The rooms were very comfortable. I had a balcony, and even in February there were sunny afternoons where it was warm enough to sit outside and read. The food, and the charming food staff, were great. The procedure day itself was excellent – although I was somewhat anxious, the pre-operative procedures were so smooth, well-run and optimized that I found myself able to relax somewhat. Afterwards, Professor Graefen came by that evening to provide a synopsis of a successful procedure and my recovery began.

On day 5 my catheter was removed and to my joy I was continent straight away. Discharged the next day and spent a week walking (slowly) around the beautiful city of Hamburg. Abdominal discomfort rather than pain, I never needed any strong pain medication. I flew back to Canada in March.

Four months on, I’m now fully recovered. I’m hiking, backpacking, cycling, going to the gym and enjoying life. I should mention that potency also returned quite quickly after the procedure, which was great!

Professor Graefen and the team at the Martini Klinik gave me my life back and preserved my quality of life. I look back on my stay at the Klinik with fondness, which under the circumstances may be surprising. Words can’t fully describe the gratitude I feel for this group of dedicated and compassionate professionals, so I’ll simply say: THANK YOU!

Dear Martini-Klinik!

I want to express my greatest appreciation for the Excellent treatment at the Martini-Klinik and surgery early February. I had been diagnosed with prostata cancer just before Christmas and Although the doctors had explained it was not aggressive, surgery was necessary. Having reviewed the statistics together with my wife, we selected the Martini-Klinik through Evidia in Norway. From the day of arrival until I left, everything was perfect. Of course big thanks to professor Heinzer for the operation, Anne Braathen who explained everything on the day of arrival, in Norwegian, and Joy Schroeder and the nurses who helped me get back on my feet. And the food was excellent! The operation was successful and now 6 weeks later I am regaining control, and I am back to work. I would highly recommend the Martini-klinik. There is Nothing more important than your health. I was impressed by the professionalism and «Ordnung muss sein»! Also, for anyone who´s reading this, pls take it seriously if you get an indication of prostata cancer. Don’t wait. I also have to thank my wife for pushing me ahead, carrying luggage back to Stavanger and nursing at home. Happy wife, happy life!

AUF Wiedersehen! Thanks again!

Best Regards

Petter