Our Experence
Tuesday morning we made our flight from Phoenix to Detroit, where we picked up our rental car and drove to Henry Ford Hospital and then checked into our Apartment on the Hospital campus.
Wednesday we had our first appt with the staff and Dr Menon where we met with every person and reviewed our information and had all of our Questions and concerns addressed.
We then met with Dr. Menon, and he reviewed the biopsy results and told us how the surgery would be handled.
Thursday morning our sugery was at 7:00 AM and because the only door open was the front door we were picked up at out front door to the Apts. by a Security guard and driven to the front door of the Hospital. We checked in and after a while when called back to prepare for the surgery, both me and my wife went back while they proceeded prep me, and was then wheeled in to the O.R. and the next thing I knew I was waking up in the recovery room where my wife was waiting. I mention this because it is unusual to have anyone allowed with you during the pre op procedure and the post surgery recovery in my experence. I was given pain medicine and taken to a private room on a floor and a wing of the hospital dedicated to Dr. Menon's patients, and treated and taken care of by nurses exclusively who work in this area. Which again I feel is worth mentioning. I must admit the rest of the day was to say the least uncomfortable, but very tolerable because of the quality of care I recieved.
Friday morning I felt much better, we were given a presentation with my wife and myself and the other patients whom Dr. Menon had performed sugery on that day. ( In all I was told 7 patients ).
It was very informative, and proved to be invaluable in the next few days. We then returned to the Apt.
Saturday I rested.
Sunday We got back on a plane and returned to Phoenix........
I want to express my gratutude to all of those who Prayed for us and all of those who wished us well.
But I especially Want to thank The staff, the Nurses, the Doctors of the Vattikuti Urilogical Institute and of the hospital.
And finally Dr. Menon for accepting me as a patient and performing the "Vail of Aphrodite" Nerve sparing surgery, and ofcorse removing the cancer from my body.
And one more Great Big Thank You to Raj and Padma Vattakuti for donating the 20 million dollars that created the Vattikuti Urological Instute with there gift and also continue to support prostate cancer research, education and treatment.
Sincerly, James W. and Annelynn Hale
JWH, I am about 6 months into this. PSA 7.4, Gleason score 6 (3+3),Clinical level T1C. I'm 49 years old, the bone scan and CT are negative. Two cores positive, (2 mm and 8 mm). 2 % left side, right side 19 %. Da Vinci robotic scheduled March 8th Henry Ford Hospital, Vattikuti Urological Instute, with Mani Menon