Methodist Dallas is actually the first
hospital in North Texas to make robotic
Whipple available and boasts the highest
number of the procedure performed inTexas.
Following surgery on Friday, Jan. 31,
Rex went home just five days later with
the postoperative scan showing no cancer.
He was able to start chemotherapy and
radiation only three weeks later.
“When I first considered the robot, I
thought: ‘There’s a mechanical tool going
around inside of me, not a human hand.
How much confidence can you place in a
tool?’” he says. “But when you understand
how precise the procedure is
and how much control the
surgeon has over the process,
you realize it’s truly remarkable.”
The right choice
The Whitakers credit the
prayer of loved ones for getting Rex to this
point, but they don’t underestimate the
medical community.
“Clearly God gave them the gifts to do
what they needed to,” Marilyn says.
Rex says they haven’t once questioned
their decision to go to Methodist Dallas.
“I was genuinely impressed,” he says.
“I’ve been in a lot of hospitals, but this
one I’d put at the very top. At Methodist,
I found a world-class physician and
world-class facilities and staff. There was
also a real expression of compassion that
meant an awful lot. It really did.”
A quick recovery from the robotic
Whipple procedure helped Rex Whitaker
jump into cancer treatment that much
faster. Now this cancer-free grandpa has
the energy — and the time — to spend
on his grandchildren.
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
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Fall 2014
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