MY RELATIONSHIP TO DA VINCI SURGERY: Patient

MY CONDITION: Prostate Cancer

TYPE OF PROCEDURE I HAD: da Vinci Radical prostatectomy

DATE OF PROCEDURE: Aug 20, 2008

MY SURGEON: Dr. Michael Fabrizio

HOSPITAL WHERE MY PROCEDURE WAS PERFORMED: Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

OTHER TREATMENTS I CONSIDERED BEFORE DA VINCI SURGERY:
Radioactive seed implant; focused external Gamma Ray beam

THE BIGGEST CONCERNS I HAD ABOUT TREATMENT:
To remove all vestiges of the disease.

WHY I CHOSE DA VINCI SURGERY:
It appears to be the apex of technology, and Dr. Fabrizio is a skilled endourologist and surgeon by reputation.

HOW LONG I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL:
Approximately 30 hours

MY PAIN AND/OR DISCOMFORT LEVEL:
No narcotics/opioids were needed for me in the hospital. Some low dosage hydrocodone, Tylox at home, but not required for a sustained period.

ABOUT MY RECOVERY TIME:
In that I am still incontinent to varying degrees, I suppose that some recovery is ongoing. However, this condition is being remediated by ongoing physical therapy.

WHEN I RETURNED TO NORMAL ACTIVITIES:
I returned to work and my volunteer activities at Sentara-Obici Hospital 2 weeks post-surgery.

ABOUT MY SURGEON AND/OR FACILITY STAFF:
Excellent, and I wrote them thank-you letters to acknowledge.

HOW DA VINCI SURGERY COMPARED TO MY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCES OR PRECONCEPTIONS OF SURGERY:
Markedly different, although I am aware that laparoscopic techniques have been available for a while. My individual experience is limited to some cyst exicisions. My wife has had 4 surgical interventions, 2 of which were major invasive events.

The adenocarcinoma in my prostate was revealed by a biopsy, and the results announced to me in late December 2007. I was not afraid, in that my wife has had two episodes with this "character" (i.e. cancer) earlier, and I was convinced from the commencing of this process that we were going to send the frightening apparition of Mr."Cancer" down the road with GOOD RIDDANCE.
I was informed by my point of contact to Urology of Virginia that mine was not overly aggressive, and I had time to consider treatment modalities. My wife and I had a trip planned overseas and all doctors involved were clear that we did not need to alter plans.
My surgery start time was set for 7:30am, after I was prepped with a neomycin sulfate enema and prophylactic Clindamycin IV. There was a slight delay, but the OR nurses and I kept up a lively banter, and I was never apprehensive (I had had no sedatives at this point). When the versid Y site injection was administered as part of the anesthesia package, I knew it was show time.
As I was propelled to the OR, I was determined to stay conscious and aware, until I was able to take measure of the robot. I saw "him" draped and ready to assist in my recover, and I saw the surgeon's console with the words "Intuitive Surgical" affixed to it. Time and space then became compressed, dense, and without boundaries and not navigable for me.
I awoke with a start in recovery approximately 3.5 hours later, and I was ebullient and most enthusiastic that I had journeyed successfully to the other "side." My questions and subsequent loquaciousness were unceasing to all staff and physicians that I encountered. Norfolk General is a teaching hospital for EVMS, so I had a regular retinue of fellows, residents and students to examine me and query me on my condition. Delighted to have the attention and meet some interesting folks.
Cipro 400 mg. x 2 bags were hung on me post-operatively, along with the aforementioned y-site Toradol injections. I refused morphine. One resident prescribed two Ativan sedative injections, because she thought in my energized and animated state I was not going to be able to sleep. I took them without protest, but my adrenaline and joy at the immediate outcomes negated the effects, and sleep was intermittent, but I did not care.
I was discharged the next morning at approximately 10:30am, walking and climbing stairs. Considering the deep assault on the interiors of my pelvic geometry, I consider this remarkable. I am the beneficiary of excellent care by those involved with the same at Sentara Norfolk General and in the hands of a loving God.