Patient Testimonials
Many patients are willing to talk with men diagnosised with prostate cancer and are considering their options. Please contact Dr Berry to be put directly in touch with men who have undergone robotic prostatectomy as their treatment choice.
Steve
Like many others, my prostate cancer was discovered completely by accident. My PSA was 1, but the digital exam disclosed a small lump. So, Dr. Alex Berry of Springfield, MA, sent me for a biopsy. The lump turned out to be a calcium deposit, but the biopsy found cancer in three of the twelve samples. My Gleason score was 7.
I thoroughly researched all of the options: “seeds,” radiation with hormones, “watchful waiting,” and surgery. My first thought was radiation with hormones (my Gleason score was too high for seeds), but I opted for robotic surgery after conferring with my wife and children. We decided that we wanted the cancer out of my body and did not want to endure the suspense of future PSA testing to see if the cancer was spreading. We also understood that surgery would no longer be an option if radiation failed. So, we agreed to have Dr. Berry do the da Vinci robotic procedure, both very wise decisions as it turned out.
Before agreeing to do the surgery, Dr. Berry urged me to lose 20-25 pounds because losing weight would shorten the time needed to regain continence after surgery. I got my weight down to 245, and he performed the surgery at Mercy Hospital in Springfield in March 2009. The surgery took about 5 hours, and I was on my feet that evening. I experienced some tightness from the five small incisions but no serious pain. I took pain meds the first day but none after that. The catheter was a nuisance but was not painful.
A minor complication kept me in the hospital for a couple of days. The pathologist’s report showed that the cancer was confined to the prostate and that the margins were excellent. At home, I lost another 20 pounds or so and did my Kegel exercises religiously (six contractions, hold for a six count, six times a day). I went back to work in a month, I was free of diapers and pads at three months, and I am fully back to normal at six months (PSA’s were unmeasurable).
I would highly recommend Dr. Berry, his colleagues at Pioneer Valley Urology, and the da Vinci procedure to anyone who elects to have surgery. If you are overweight, do yourself a favor and lose as much weight as possible before surgery. Do the Kegels faithfully, and your incontinence will disappear magically. I am very thankful to Dr. Berry, his colleagues, and the da Vinci process for making this surgery as uneventful as possible for me and my family.
Considering Robotic Prostatectomy? Would you like a second opinion regarding your prostate cancer?
You can email Dr Berry directly DrABerry.PVUrology@gmail.com Or contact the office at 413 241 2100 for an appointment
Our new office is on the old "Drop Forge" site at
100 Wason Avenue
Springfield, MA 01107
