To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.

Then come back here and refresh the page.

With boxes of decorations to go through, Nancy Parker has her work cut out for her.

"Well I'm not one to sit around. I'm a doer. And I like to be doing things,” Parker said.

Just nine days after major surgery, she has few limitations.

In October, Parker was diagnosed with uterine cancer. She needed a hysterectomy. Traditional surgery would have meant large incisions and months of recovery time. But Parker’s doctor used a different approach.

“It’s probably one of the biggest surgical advances in my 25 year career," said Dr. Brent Dubester.

Since 2005, a state of the art robot has helped doctors at Rochester’s Highland Hospital perform these complicated life saving procedures more effectively.

"With a much quicker recuperation, with a much less risk of blood loss," Dubester said.

Through the da Vinci surgical system, Debuster can perform these operations through a remote console. He's guided by a 3D image. Hand and foot controls allow him to operate the three armed robot.

"It also has wristed instruments that allow you to work around corners that you could not do with standard laparoscopy. So in my view, it's an evolution," Dubester said.

This evolution in technology is in high demand. So much so that Highland purchased a second robot to meet the need. The new machine has several improved features, but the most important benefit hasn't changed.

"Instead of six weeks to two months until you're back to normal, most of our patients are really back to normal within two weeks," said Dubester.

Parker hopes to return to her job after the holidays. In the meantime, she's keeping busy.

"I like to read and I like to do crossword puzzles. So I thought, oh gee, all day long I can do crossword puzzles, but there's only so much of that you can do and then I need to be doing something more productive."