Prince Philip in Hospital for "Exploratory Operation": June 6-17, 2013


If you have answers, please help by responding to the unanswered posts.
Status
Not open for further replies.
Philip is such an awesome creature, as is his wife... I want to see the around another 30 years. So many people are just a waste of space, and these two are absolutely not.

A toast to Philip.. a very British toast to Philip... well done, Sir!

And I don't bother to call too many people "sir". Or toast them.
 
Quite true but, it could also mean that she is concerned because of the possibility of there being something going on that is more serious than expected. I understand what you are trying to say as my husband was in hospital for minor surgery and I was concerned for him. But I am merely saying that it could be a more intense concern than what we are being led to believe. All in all, we have to wait and see.
Of course you're right my Lady. We simply don't know if "concerned" means "concerned" or "scared half to death she may lose him". Palace statements tend to be as cryptic and guarded as they can be. We'll just have to wait. :)
 
It is usually better not to speculate about medical matters until a doctor has made the diagnosis and everyone knows what they are talking about.
Its like when it was announced that he was going into hospital every media outlet found a doctor to start guessing and prognosing but none of them had ever examined the duke or seen any results from his tests.
Maybe it helps us process what's going on and gives us some comfort by discussing it with other interested people; hence the purpose of the Royal Forums. And particularly b/c the Palace guards information so closely, there's not much we can do but speculate. The information will be given drip by drip by drip. I hope the Press Office didn't treat their infant children the same way. They would have starved to death waiting for their strained peas. ;)
 
The problem is one person speculates and the next person takes the speculation as fact and then everything goes downhill from there. Even the royals are entitled to some level of privacy, most especially medical privacy.
 
I appreciate the concerns about speculation in the newspapers or on television, but I don't think anyone assumes that the people on this forum have inside information. Only the medical professionals and the immediate royal family are the only ones who truly know how he is, and that is how it should be.

That said, it's only natural for people who are interested in the royal family to discuss current events, including those involving Prince Philip's health. There is no doubt in my mind that the doctors decided to perform a major operation because they have good reason to suspect that there is a serious problem. On the other hand, they would not have risked a major operation if they didn't also feel there was a good chance that they could treat the problem. Let's keep good thoughts.
 
I don't think a major operation has happened. This was exploratory - unless I've missed something. Everything depends on the outcome of the analysis of results of this stage.

And I agree with US Royal Watcher - keep positive.
 
This is awful. Surgery is bad, exploratory is worse and being in the hospital on your birthday is terrible. Best wishes for a complete and fast recovery. I hope it is not cardiac infection or vegetation due to the heart attack. Please send my dear cousin my best. And maybe a spot of cake.
 
If he went under general anesthesia and they cut into his abdomen, even for exploratory reasons, it would be considered major surgery. But you are correct, we really don't know exactly what was done, how it was done, or why it was done. I am hoping for the best for him, of course, and his amazing Mrs.
 
KPWillie is correct. Any abdominal surgery under general anesthesia would be considered major surgery, but even more so for a 92 year-old man. I can't think of any reason doctors would perform such a serious surgery unless they truly believed it would substantially improve his longevity or quality of life.
 
From Monday 10th June's Telegraph

Summary from the article

The Duke of Edinburgh is today expected to receive his first visitor since going into hospital, when the Queen drops in to wish him a happy birthday.

The Dukehas been too tired to accept any visitors since he had an exploratory operation on his abdomen on Friday.

If his doctor gives his approval, the Queen will visit .. on Monday

Aides said the Duke remained “comfortable” in the London Clinic where he is recovering from his operation, which was carried out under general anaesthetic.

He is awaiting the results of tests carried out during the operation, which are expected to be available in the early part of this week, before doctors decide whether any further surgery or other treatment is necessary.

If the Queen does arrive, she is likely to be the Duke’s only visitor, as sources suggested he is unlikely to have enough energy yet to receive several wellwishers.

The Prince of Wales will not be able to visit as he is currently in Scotland. Princes William and Harry are also understood to be working at their military bases, meaning they will not be able to see their grandfather.

A royal source said: “Nothing has been decided yet about visitors but it may be that the Queen will visit in the afternoon after she returns from Windsor.

“The golden rule where the Queen is concerned is that she doesn’t want to disrupt the work of the hospital at all, so she will be guided by the doctors looking after the Duke.

“It all depends on the hospital and it depends on whether he is up to it.

“As far as his condition goes, nothing has changed at all, he is still comfortable and he is still recovering from his operation.”


Link (if you can read it)
Queen to visit Duke in hospital - Telegraph
 
This is awful. Surgery is bad, exploratory is worse and being in the hospital on your birthday is terrible. Best wishes for a complete and fast recovery. I hope it is not cardiac infection or vegetation due to the heart attack. Please send my dear cousin my best. And maybe a spot of cake.

Seeing as Philip is now in the recovery stage of his hospital stay, my sympathies are leaning towards the nurses and staff who are now in the firing line of Philip's wonderful ascerbic wit. Oh to be a fly on the wall! I sure hope one isn't stupid enough to wake him and ask "Are we ready for our sleeping pill?" (this happens quite a lot in hospitals... both the waking for a sleeping pill and the use of we). :whistling:
 
Seeing as Philip is now in the recovery stage of his hospital stay, my sympathies are leaning towards the nurses and staff who are now in the firing line of Philip's wonderful ascerbic wit. Oh to be a fly on the wall! I sure hope one isn't stupid enough to wake him and ask "Are we ready for our sleeping pill?" (this happens quite a lot in hospitals... both the waking for a sleeping pill and the use of we). :whistling:

Oh, what a mental picture! On a serious note, I hope His Highness will be able to bear the next couple of weeks, and return to home to relax in relative peace (though I have a feeling he'll be sick of 'relaxing' and will want to be as active as possible).
 
Seeing as Philip is now in the recovery stage of his hospital stay, my sympathies are leaning towards the nurses and staff who are now in the firing line of Philip's wonderful ascerbic wit. Oh to be a fly on the wall! I sure hope one isn't stupid enough to wake him and ask "Are we ready for our sleeping pill?" (this happens quite a lot in hospitals... both the waking for a sleeping pill and the use of we). :whistling:

Not necessarily - see my post #161. The op was exploratory. Fingers crossed though.
 
Not necessarily - see my post #161. The op was exploratory. Fingers crossed though.

Yes, I think we all should keep our fingers crossed. :neutral:
 
Not necessarily - see my post #161. The op was exploratory. Fingers crossed though.

You're absolutely correct. It all depends on what was found, how long it takes to get results back from any biopsies and then any follow up treatments should they be necessary. I imagine as it is planned for Philip to be there for 2 weeks, they're going to leave no stone unturned and do as extensive of a workup as can be done within reason and just cause. He's in the hands of the best possible care that he can get.
 
At 92 surgeries are risky, at any rate. Why they would do this is strange. Exploratory, means treatment of some sort. It would not be protocol to treat any findings with chemo or radiation for someone of this age. That would kill them, too. There may have been an obstruction to clear. The Palace never tells the truth about health problems. It is their right, I guess.
 
My take on this from the beginning is that D0E had a medical and issues were raised and there was a decision made that they needed to explore further.

Given his status and work schedule, they cancelled up to 2 week sand said so to the media. I thought that this would be on the basis that if he got the all clear, he needed at least 10 days to get over the exploratory work; If they found something that needed just medication then there was time for him to deal with that; if further surgery was required then they could get on with it and BP would just extend the non-work time.

That's how they do it - bite-sized chunks. And the focus seems to be dealing with any issue not the reaction of a 92 year old having surgery and a general anaesthetic. They tried to cover all the bases with the available information (or the information made available - as Countess says, we dont get all of the info., nor should we).
 
You're absolutely correct. It all depends on what was found, how long it takes to get results back from any biopsies and then any follow up treatments should they be necessary....

While the actual outcome remains to be seen - I would normally agree with you about 'biopsies' except that PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans are readily available in the UK; are very effective as a diagnostic tool; and have eliminated the need for many exploratory operations.

Link to explanation of PET scans in the UK here: PET scan - NHS Choices


Overall, I think Countess is likely closest to the mark:
COUNTESS said:
At 92 surgeries are risky, at any rate. Why they would do this is strange. Exploratory, means treatment of some sort. It would not be protocol to treat any findings with chemo or radiation for someone of this age. That would kill them, too. There may have been an obstruction to clear...
 
Last edited:
While the actual outcome remains to be seen - I would normally agree with you about 'biopsies' except that PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scans are readily available in the UK; are very effective as a diagnostic tool; and have eliminated the need for many exploratory operations.

Link to explanation of PET scans in the UK here: PET scan - NHS Choices


Overall, I think Countess is likely closest to the mark:

Thanks CanRoyal! I can now retire for the night. I finally learned something new today. :flowers:
 
:previous: Oh dear, I hope I didn't come across as too 'know-it-all' - it is late and I am tired. But I have had chemo and radiation and have never heard of a PET scan failing to detect cancer when other tests have been inconclusive. :flowers:
 
:previous: Oh dear, I hope I didn't come across as too 'know-it-all' - it is late and I am tired. But I have had chemo and radiation and have never heard of a PET scan failing to detect cancer when other tests have been inconclusive. :flowers:

No.. not at all. Seriously meant it as a thank you. And decided on not sleeping yet. Its after midnight here and a new day so starting to find something new to learn today. :D
 
I'm quite surprised that they wont let him go home before two weeks. He certainly could have round the clock care at the royal residences. I believe all the queen's homes have a medical suite in case of emergency, do they not? I should think it would be more restful in his own bed rather than in hospital.
 
I'm quite surprised that they wont let him go home before two weeks. He certainly could have round the clock care at the royal residences. I believe all the queen's homes have a medical suite in case of emergency, do they not? I should think it would be more restful in his own bed rather than in hospital.

I think it depends on the results of the exploratory op. It would be more disruptive to let him go home only to bring straight back (if necessary). If those results are clear then maybe they will let him out early.

EDIT: Also I think home would be Windsor, not BP and that is c. 40 minutes (under escort) from the hospital.
 
Last edited:
Article in the Times this afternoon regarding Prince Philips stay in hospital.

Extract

Analysis of the results of the operation are expected to be completed this week, and he is likely to be in hospital for up to two weeks in total while he recovers.

Details of the original symptoms behind his admission have not been released, but it is believed that the procedure did not involve his heart or bladder, organs the Duke has experienced problems with before.

It is believed that he has been visited on a daily basis by Professor John Cunningham, the Queen’s doctor.

The Duke’s birthday appeared to be remembered by one royal fan who arrived at the London Clinic holding a bunch of white roses, a basket of fruit and a blue balloon with the slogan “Keep calm, birthday boy”.


No sources for the information re what is not wrong with him, ie heart or bladder.
 
Paul Harrison ‏@SkyNewsRoyal 3m
#royal Buck Palace: after leaving hospital #Philip "will then be taking a period of convalescence of approximately two months.

Richard Palmer ‏@RoyalReporter 6m
The Duke of Edinburgh is progressing according to plans at this early stage, Buckingham Palace says.

Richard Palmer ‏@RoyalReporter 4m
Prince Philip is expected to stay in hospital for two weeks and then convalesce for two months, according to Buckingham Palace.

Paul Harrison ‏@SkyNewsRoyal 18m
#royal Buckingham Palace confirms the #Queen will visit Prince Philip this evening
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom