Paul R., Houston, TX

"..I was impressed with Dr. Slawin's credentials.  He is a world-renowned surgeon.. I was out of the hospital the next day, with minimal abdominal incisions.  John Dodge, PA, Dr. Slawin's surgical assistant provided excellent guidance with my post-operative physical and sexual rehabilitation.  I was very pleased with the results of my recovery.  Today, 1 1/2 yearslater, I am cancer free.  I was lucky to have met Dr. Slawin."

My Journey, a Life Saving Experience….

A gut feel.... that I had a problem. When your body starts to tells you something you should take heed. I was in good health, but had not had a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test performed in over nine years. I was experiencing some gradually increasing flow restriction but thought it was just a result of the natural aging process associated with an enlarged prostate. After a few of my colleagues all were all diagnosed with prostate cancer, I decided it was time to go see a prostate specialist.

Selecting a specialist.... the most critical decision. One of my friends had successful prostate surgery performed by Dr. Slawin and was extremely pleased with the results and the entire process. He had done a lot of research to determine who, in his opinion, was best qualified to perform the procedure he required. I reviewed his information and after completing my own investigation I was impressed with Dr. Slawin’s credentials. He is a world-renowned surgeon having performed over 800 robotic and 900 regular surgeries, and is recognized as one of “America’s Top Doctors in Urology and Cancer”. He is actively engaged in the research and development of a new vaccine to arrest advanced prostate cancer and is the Director of Urology at Memorial Herman Hospital, the Director of the Vanguard Urologic Institute, a Professor of Urology at Baylor College of Medicine; and an Adjunct Professor, at the Center for Clinical and Translational Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston.

First impressions…. have always been important to me. When I first met Dr. Slawin his self confident, professional demeanor gave me a real sense of trust in his ability. His office is state-of-the-art and his entire staff is friendly and professional. He lets you know exactly where you stand. I knew he was the specialist for me.

The examination…. was a shock. I thought prostate cancer was something “the other guy” always got. After my initial examination diagnosed a “little lump” on my prostate, he advised me that there was a 95% chance I had cancer and performed a biopsy the next day.

The drive home…. a harrowing experience. I drove home the afternoon after my examination in a state of shock reflecting on what had been a happy, secure life just hours ago, feeling guilty that I didn’t get medical advice years earlier. I had to stay positive while preparing my family for the challenge that lay in front of us. I had an inner strength, confidence that I was destined to accomplish more in my lifetime, but realized the whole situation was now totally out of my control.

A biopsy.... is the only way to know for sure. I knew I had cancer but was shaken by the results of the biopsy. Over 50 % of samples tested positive for cancer with one sample testing 80% positive and another 70%. I knew the situation was very serious definitely stage 2, borderline stage 3 cancer. At that point the only thing I had going for me to bolster my spirits was a moderate Gleason score of 6 and a fairly low PSA value… and Dr. Slawin’s confident opinion based on his experience.

The decision.… was an easy one. The results of the biopsy convinced me that surgery was my only alternative. Although radiation was an option, there was no way I was going to leave a tumor in my body with the uncertain hope that radiation would cure my cancer.

Getting mentally prepared for surgery.... the wait and uncertainty. After the biopsy, I had to wait 30 days for my prostate to heal before surgery could be performed. Getting mentally prepared was a challenge but the confidence and experience of Dr. Slawin, his reassuring staff, the support of my family and prayer got me prepared for my upcoming surgery.

The surgery and recovery.… went extremely well. I chose to have my prostate removed using the robotic surgical procedure. I felt the robotic surgical procedure had its advantages. I was out of the hospital the next day, with minimal abdominal incisions. The surgery was successful and the post-operative pathology report indicated 20% of my prostate had cancer but the cancer was still contained in the prostate and did not get out into other parts of my body. John Dodge, P.A., Dr. Slawin’s surgical assistant provided excellent guidance with my post-operative physical and sexual rehabilitation. I was very pleased with the results of my recovery.

Looking back.… the right thing to do. What originally started out with what I thought was going to be a “routine” check-up turned out to be fairly advanced prostate cancer. If I could turn back the hands of time I would, without question, have an annual PSA test performed. In my case the PSA was not representative of the seriousness of my condition. I was probably within 12 months having stage 3 cancer .Today, 1 ½ years later, I am cancer free. I was lucky to have met Dr. Slawin.

Paul R., B.S.M.E., M.B.A., J. D
Houston, Texas