My story with Duke Medicine started just after Easter of 2007. After finding out I had prostate cancer, and after talking with a friend who had surgery at Duke, I made an appointment there for a second opinion. After arriving and being seen early on the day of my appointment, I met with two doctors, and we talked about my situation for more than an hour.

The doctors told me I was not a candidate for their type of surgery. One of the doctors told me he would be right back and left the room. He returned a few minutes later with a name and address written on a piece of paper and told me this was another Duke doctor whose office was located across town, and she was waiting to talk with me about another type of surgery.

My wife and I left and drove to the other office, and just like the first doctor had told me, she was waiting on me. After talking with her and getting an exam, she determined I was not a good candidate for the type of surgery that was her specialty. So as before she told me to wait and she would be right back. After a few minutes she returned and apologized to me because she was going to refer me to the chief, but he was not in town. She made me an appointment for two weeks away and she again apologized to me because we had traveled a long way.

The next day the chief’s office called and offered to see me that day if I could make it, but we live four-and-a-half hours away and could not make it, so I kept my regular appointment a couple of weeks away. I arrived at Duke early for the appointment at the office of the chief, who turned out to be Judd Moul, MD, chief of urology at Duke. After a long meeting and thorough examination with Dr. Moul, I felt very relieved and knew in my heart that I had now found the right doctor to take care of me.

I still had not made my mind up about what treatment to do because I wanted to talk with my family and friends to make this very important decision. Once I made the decision to have Dr. Moul take my prostate out, I returned to Duke to talk with him for some final questions I had. We then set a date and scheduled a day for pre-operation tests. After the tests, Dr. Moul called me and told me had an earlier opening for my surgery, so I took it.

On the day of my surgery, my family and I walked across the street to the hospital to check in. Everything went according to plans and I was prepped for surgery. The staff, nurses, and doctors were professional and caring, and they answered all of my questions. As I was taken into surgery, it was quiet -- the staff there were going about their business. I had had surgery before and I knew what to expect, so I was not afraid but just a little apprehensive.

When I woke up and opened my eyes, I took a deep breath and knew that I was still alive. While in the recovery room I chatted with the nurses there and heard one of them planning her daughter's graduation party, and we talked about the barbeque she was having for the party.

When I got to my room and transferred to my bed, the nurses there waited on me and helped me with medication for my nausea. That evening I met my night nurse and we discovered that we graduated from the same college -- only I graduated 17 years before she did. During my stay, which was only two days, all the staff, nurses, and doctors were caring and professional in my care. Every time I needed anything, they were right there to help me. On my walks around the ward, I noticed that everyone was busy working, everything was in its place, and the facility was neat and clean.

Since my surgery I have called Dr. Moul and his staff a couple of times with questions, and they were very prompt returning my calls and had good advice and information to help me. I have had one follow-up visit with Dr. Moul since surgery, and this visit was very good -- I had a good pathology and first PSA report. I could not have been any more pleased with my care by all the professionals at Duke University Medical Center, and I would not hesitate to recommend them for any type of care.