Dear Dr. Slawin, John Dodge, and Pat Meyers,
I want to thank you for all you did to make the treatment of my prostate cancer a wonderful success. You guys are incredible. As you know, my robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy was performed by Dr. Slawin on February 6, 2006 and the results could not have been better.
There was very little blood loss, so no need for a transfusion. I was dismissed form the hospital the day after surgery. Being from Austin, I elected to stay at the adjacent Marriott hotel for two nights before traveling back home, but I probably could have left after only one night. The catheter was certainly an inconvenience, but I had it in for one week, and was dry on the 3-hour trip back to Austin! I was back at work in two weeks, and could have gone back sooner except for the prohibition on driving.
In our initial meeting, I remember asking how long it would be after surgery before I could play competitive tennis again. You said six weeks, but I was back on the courts in five (but using the ball machine before four weeks). I wore my pads, but experienced no incontinence, unless I laughed too hard or sneezed. Seven weeks after the operation I was totally “pad free.” And, thanks to Dr. Slawin’s nerve sparing surgery , I had an erection firm enough for penetration after three weeks (Viagra assisted), and have continued to enjoy weekly intercourse since.
One other thing, the most important of all, is the fact that the pathology reveled I had clear surgical margins. This in spite of the fact that my Gleason 3 + 3, T 1C cancer (as indicated by my biopsy), was really 3 + 4 in many location, was in all areas of the gland and had spread into the bladder neck. My six week post-surgery PSA at .006 confirmed the good news that the cancer had not spread. I feel I owe my life, or, at the very least, the QUALITY of my life to the outstanding skill of my surgeon, Dr. Slawin, and his very experienced and attentive staff.
I was particularly impressed with the quick email responses I would get form John Dodge and Pay Meyers whenever I had questions before and after my recovery. I simply cannot say enough good things about the care I received from all of you. Unfortunately, most men my age (55) will have to make a decision about how to treat their prostate cancer. I can only say that, in my opinion, there could be no better place to go, or better people to entrust than you and your staff. Please have any of your patients call me – I would be happy to talk to them about my experience.
Sincerely,
Lou Kimball
Patient Testimonials 
