Ralph Jordan, 67, Dunedin, FL Date of Surgery: January 2008
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On January 3, 2008, I was the first patient for robotic assisted prostatectomy at Florida Hospital’s
Global Robotic Institute, Celebration Health, performed by world-renowned surgeon
Dr. Vipul Patel, M.D.
This is my story.
I’m a business owner and professional in the health care industry for over 35 years with a broad
knowledge and experience in operating room services, having a strong emphasis in the areas
of neurosurgical, ophthalmic, cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery. However, I didn’t have a
clue about urology.
Briefly, my journey began in July 2007. I had no symptoms, but a routine test revealed an
elevated PSA of 4.2. A biopsy followed and cancer was found.
Because of my medical background and the advice of a trusted friend in the Urology
Department from John Hopkins and a close business associate and friend who had this same
procedure, I knew the tumor would be slow-growing and that I had a window of time to research
the best cancer treatment options for me. I researched and read as many published clinical
papers as I could find on prostate cancer treatments. I found there were many different
approaches. What helped me with my decision was developing criteria important to me to
narrow my options. I asked the following four questions to all prospective specialists:
1...After the procedure, can you tell me with certainty if the cancer was contained or if it had
spread?
2...Following the procedure and among your patients, what is the incidence of incontinence and
is the rate documented?
3...Among your patients following the procedure, what is the incidence of recovery from erectile
dysfunction (ED) and is the information documented?
4...May I contact a few of your patients as references who you had at least a year out?
Dr. Patel was the only clinician who I contacted that answered all these questions to my
satisfaction. He was easy to reach via email and by phone and was very accommodating as it
related to answering my questions. In my research, I found he was one of the most prolific and
well-respected robotic surgeons in the country, who specialized in removing the type of cancer I
had.
It did not stop there.
I contacted the manufacturer of the DaVinci Robot, Intuitive Surgical, and spoke with their
product manager and director of marketing, who corroborated and reinforced everything I had
heard about Dr. Patel. I contacted Medtronics Corporation, which also worked with the DaVinci
in cardiovascular surgery, and there, too, I heard glorious words about Dr. Patel. Finally, I spoke
with some of his patients. That was most beneficial because they confirmed what everyone else
had related to me.
After four months of research and exploration, it became evident to me that Dr. Patel was the
surgeon who I wanted to operate on me.
The rest is history.
The surgery took place on January 3, 2008.
I was walking the halls three hours after the surgery and the recovery room. By noon the
following day, I was discharged from the hospital to spend a few days resting at home.
Celebration Health is unlike any other hospital that I’ve experienced in all my years in business.
Every room is a private one and I was treated like a special guest. Everyone who worked as part
of Dr. Patel’s team and as hospital support staff was competent and friendly. I was delighted to
have the few hours I spent in the hospital at Celebration Health.
The recovery period was unremarkable. There was no post-operative pain. I found the catheter
to be a bit bothersome, but tolerable.
I went back to see Dr. Patel on January 9th to have the catheter removed and learned that the
cancer was completely contained and the margins were clear. I was
cancer free.
My prayers and those of my family and friends were answered. I was so relieved and happy. To
make the day complete and to my obvious surprise after the catheter was removed , I was and
am still, completely continent. As for ED, after 10 weeks since the surgery, there are signs and
promise that I will be back to my old self, sexually, soon again. [UPDATE: It's all good ; )
November 2008 ]
I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Patel and his wonderful staff and to the caring professionals at
Celebration Health. I will always be thankful for their genuine care, expertise, affirmation and
encouragement.
There is no question in my mind that robotic prostate surgery as performed by Dr. Patel and his
staff is the singular way to achieve the best results without guess work or complications. There
is no doubt in my mind that having Dr Patel perform the surgery was one of the most important
decisions that I have made in my life.
Global Robotic Institute, Celebration Health, performed by world-renowned surgeon
Dr. Vipul Patel, M.D.
This is my story.
I’m a business owner and professional in the health care industry for over 35 years with a broad
knowledge and experience in operating room services, having a strong emphasis in the areas
of neurosurgical, ophthalmic, cardiovascular and orthopedic surgery. However, I didn’t have a
clue about urology.
Briefly, my journey began in July 2007. I had no symptoms, but a routine test revealed an
elevated PSA of 4.2. A biopsy followed and cancer was found.
Because of my medical background and the advice of a trusted friend in the Urology
Department from John Hopkins and a close business associate and friend who had this same
procedure, I knew the tumor would be slow-growing and that I had a window of time to research
the best cancer treatment options for me. I researched and read as many published clinical
papers as I could find on prostate cancer treatments. I found there were many different
approaches. What helped me with my decision was developing criteria important to me to
narrow my options. I asked the following four questions to all prospective specialists:
1...After the procedure, can you tell me with certainty if the cancer was contained or if it had
spread?
2...Following the procedure and among your patients, what is the incidence of incontinence and
is the rate documented?
3...Among your patients following the procedure, what is the incidence of recovery from erectile
dysfunction (ED) and is the information documented?
4...May I contact a few of your patients as references who you had at least a year out?
Dr. Patel was the only clinician who I contacted that answered all these questions to my
satisfaction. He was easy to reach via email and by phone and was very accommodating as it
related to answering my questions. In my research, I found he was one of the most prolific and
well-respected robotic surgeons in the country, who specialized in removing the type of cancer I
had.
It did not stop there.
I contacted the manufacturer of the DaVinci Robot, Intuitive Surgical, and spoke with their
product manager and director of marketing, who corroborated and reinforced everything I had
heard about Dr. Patel. I contacted Medtronics Corporation, which also worked with the DaVinci
in cardiovascular surgery, and there, too, I heard glorious words about Dr. Patel. Finally, I spoke
with some of his patients. That was most beneficial because they confirmed what everyone else
had related to me.
After four months of research and exploration, it became evident to me that Dr. Patel was the
surgeon who I wanted to operate on me.
The rest is history.
The surgery took place on January 3, 2008.
I was walking the halls three hours after the surgery and the recovery room. By noon the
following day, I was discharged from the hospital to spend a few days resting at home.
Celebration Health is unlike any other hospital that I’ve experienced in all my years in business.
Every room is a private one and I was treated like a special guest. Everyone who worked as part
of Dr. Patel’s team and as hospital support staff was competent and friendly. I was delighted to
have the few hours I spent in the hospital at Celebration Health.
The recovery period was unremarkable. There was no post-operative pain. I found the catheter
to be a bit bothersome, but tolerable.
I went back to see Dr. Patel on January 9th to have the catheter removed and learned that the
cancer was completely contained and the margins were clear. I was
cancer free.
My prayers and those of my family and friends were answered. I was so relieved and happy. To
make the day complete and to my obvious surprise after the catheter was removed , I was and
am still, completely continent. As for ED, after 10 weeks since the surgery, there are signs and
promise that I will be back to my old self, sexually, soon again. [UPDATE: It's all good ; )
November 2008 ]
I owe a debt of gratitude to Dr. Patel and his wonderful staff and to the caring professionals at
Celebration Health. I will always be thankful for their genuine care, expertise, affirmation and
encouragement.
There is no question in my mind that robotic prostate surgery as performed by Dr. Patel and his
staff is the singular way to achieve the best results without guess work or complications. There
is no doubt in my mind that having Dr Patel perform the surgery was one of the most important
decisions that I have made in my life.
 |
| Ralph and wife, Charlotte |
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| Ralph & Charlotte's 40th Wedding Anniversary Anna Maria Island, Florida August 2008 |
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To Reach Ralph, Email him at rjordan@vipfriendsonline.com or visit the Contact Page |
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