Jim Murphy, 64, FL Surgery: September 2008
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My name is Jim Murphy, I am 64 years old and I have (had) prostate cancer. When I was
diagnosed it was due to Michael Salvato of Plant City Florida, my family doctor's diligence. During
a routine checkup he noticed that my psa, although within normal range, had doubled in a fairly
short time. He suspected some inflammation and prescribed antibiotics for a month. When the
month was over and the numbers had stayed the same, he ordered a biopsy and there is where
my journey into the world of cancer and my search for the best treatment for this type of cancer
began.
This search was conducted by my daughter, a microbiologist, and she led me to Doctor Patel
and Robotic surgery.
I scheduled an appointment and met with Dr. Patel. He looked at my biopsy report and said the
words that I will always remember, “I can cure you”. Those words rang loud and clear even when
in his next breath he said, “But you have to lose 50 pounds first”. I scheduled my surgery date
for 3 months later and immediately headed for Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C.,
where I stayed for 3 months. When I returned to Dr. Patel’s office I had lost the 50 lbs. and the
surgery was set for September 2008.
During this time I went through a lot of trepidation and what ifs: What if I don’t make it through
the surgery? What if my family were left alone? What if I am incontinent forever? What if I can
never have sex again? What if (everything)? My wife and family are very supportive but I needed
to know firsthand about these things and they have never been there.
I asked for some recommendations of someone who had been through the procedure and Dr.
Patel's staff put me in touch with Ralph Jordan and Bill Owen. They have been my support team
throughout my ordeal and continue to be there for me. Without their help and insight into what to
expect, things would have been a lot harder to handle. I hope to repay them by helping to
continue in the support new patients.
Dr. Patel's surgical team and staff are the best; they are down to earth and straight talking. They
know their patients and treat them individually, not as a number. They are friendly and
professional at all times, through every aspect of the pre-surgery, surgery and post surgery.
As for me, I view my recuperation as typical. I was up and walking around within a few hours of
surgery with little pain. I have now started to exercise and am almost back to my pre-surgery
walking routine. I did and continue to have some incontinence, but it is getting better all the
time. The sex thing is something that doesn't happen overnight. We are working on this and I am
optimistic.
But the good news is that I am cancer-free and look forward to spending a lot more time with my
wife, our children and grand children. My wife, Linda and I love to travel and we feel that we will
soon resume our life as usual. She has been by my side through the entire ordeal and has been
my rock.
All in all I feel that I have had a very positive experience and highly recommend Dr. Patel and the
Robotic Institute to anyone who is contemplating prostrate surgery.
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| Murphy Family |
| Jim & Linda |
| Jim - 2009 Superbowl |