Success
Stories of da Vinci® Prostatectomy Patients
Don S. - Fayetteville, GA
A week before I was scheduled to run the Big Sur International Marathon, I found out that my PSA was a little elevated. I didn’t know much about PSA, but I did know I was in the best shape of my life. This PSA thing must have been a fluke. After competing Big Sur, which is one of the most difficult marathons on the face of this planet, I returned home and had another blood test. This time my PSA was higher and it was recommended that I have a biopsy.
Over the course of the next 6 months, I had several blood tests and two biopsies. It was after the second biopsy on October 26th that it was determined that I had prostate cancer. I refer to that date as TEN26. It’s a day I will never forget. It’s the day I discovered a few things about my life: the true meaning of friendship, the love and support of my family, and the strength and peace that only God can give. It’s the day I became a survivor! Having cancer didn’t freak me out, but the side-affects of incontinence and impotency did bother me a little -- more on that later.
Quickly I learned that researching my treatment options was difficult. I couldn’t get a health care professional to give me an objective solution based on my age, Gleason score, staging, quality of life issues, etc. Everybody had the best deal for me. I was facing The Great Prostate Procedure Shootout! I realized that it was my body, my life and I had to make the decision on which treatment solution was best for me. So I decided to dig deep. I spent hours on the internet, read books, talked with cancer survivors, and visited one of the best cancer hospitals in the world.
It was during this time of research that I found out about Dr. Vipul Patel at Ohio State University. Dr. Patel was the only doctor that would call me back and/or email me when I had questions (which was frequently). We made a connection right away. And after 5 weeks of digging, discussing, and praying I scheduled surgery with Dr. Patel. It was pretty simple: I flew in to Columbus, Ohio on Monday night, pre-op appointment on Tuesday, and surgery on Wednesday, and back to the hotel on Thursday, catheter removed on Monday and back home on Tuesday.
Here’s the long story short – I was never in pain, I was walking around the Ohio State campus the day after surgery, and my recovery exceeded my expectations. Three weeks after my surgery I was back at the gym – lifting weights, running, and doing sit-ups. I must admit the sit-ups were a little painful the first couple of days, but Patel told me to do anything I wanted, so I did. I returned to work after 2 weeks. I have already run a half marathon and I’m schedule to run a marathon later this year.
As I said earlier incontinence and impotency are two dreaded side-affects caused by treatment. In my case the incontinence was very temporary. I wore a pad for 2 weeks, mainly for confidence. The impotency on the other hand takes a little more time and patience to get back to normal. Patel and others told me it could take up to 1 year. It’s only been 3 months and I’ve seen progress and have had some success. I’m not where I was before surgery, but I know I’m heading in the right direction. It’s just a matter of time.
In closing, the da Vinci Robotic Surgical System is considered the finest equipment for robotic prostatectomy and Ohio State University is the premier hospital for this surgery. But more impressive than the equipment and the hospital are the people. Dr. Patel and his medical team are incredible. They are professional, caring, and the best in their field. I’m convinced that this is the best robotic surgical team on this planet. I feel fortunate and blessed and I thank God everyday for pointing me to Dr. Patel and Ohio State University.
TEN26
God has given me the courage to face it, the knowledge and wisdom to fightit, and His grace to beat it
Mike S. - Walnut Creek, CA
"I'm stunned that my robotic surgery experience went so well."
"I had a traditional open gall bladder operation with a large incision 15 years ago and had to stay in the hospital for four days. I had to be on heavy pain meds and stayed at home for 6 weeks recuperating. After my da Vinci operation, I was was able to walk around the day of my surgery. I had minimal discomfort and felt really good. Overall, my recovery went extremely well. I would recommend this to anybody."
Dr. Richard M. - Southern California
"Being a physician myself and after
a great deal of thought and research, I chose da Vinci®
Prostatectomy for the ability to have a nerve-sparing procedure,
improved continence, shorter recovery time, and less pain."
"After my operation, I have had very
little discomfort and have experienced minimal alteration
in my lifestyle. I am back at work and functioning normally."
"I would highly recommend this to
any patient considering radical prostatectomy."
Willis J. - Durham, North Carolina
"I'm calling you to thank your company
for making this great technology. My prostate procedure
with the da Vinci robot was remarkable. Absolutely no pain.
I went home from the hospital on Sunday and by Tuesday I
was taking my dogs on a one mile walk."
"I would not have had the operation
performed any other way. I couldn't have had a better experience."
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