Since my last blog in December, my family and I sought out surgeons on the west coast repair my herniated colon. Unfortunately we were unsuccessful, apparently my situation is very rare and to quote one surgeon from UC Irvine, “this is not with-in my scope”, “you need a complex hernia specialist”. The City of Hope Surgeon, consulted with his colleagues, and said he could approach it like a “Flank Hernia”, however he was honest in telling us that he had never done this type of repair…no thanks (I appreciated that he consulted with his colleagues about this case).
Surgeon found, New York here I come! Yes New York!……The surgery will happen at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, New York. Dr. Mark Reiner with the Laparoscopic Surgical Center Of New York will be doing the repair on Wednesday February 28th. This surgery is being coordinated with a Colonoscopy first on Monday the 27th.
During my virtual surgical consultation with Dr. Reiner, the fact that I have a mutated gene for both colorectal cancer and breast cancer came up and he asked when my last colonoscopy was. He was not pleased with my answer when I told him 2018 was my last colonoscopy. In 2018, the recommendation was repeat in 3 years. Well, with the pandemic and my 2023 breast reconstruction, we were planning on getting that done in 2024. Dr. Reiner was a bit stern ( in a good way) in saying that he could do the repair, but would not do it without a colonoscopy first. And, since the colon will have to be prepped for the Hernia repair, he arranged for a G.I. doctor to do the colonoscopy.
( I went whale watching yesterday, thought I would share)
When having surgery on the mainland, a lot goes into prepping for it. We have our flights, booked our accommodations. I have had to purchase cold weather clothes, because living in Hawaii what do I need a jacket for? Pre-op lab work was just completed ( can not be done more than 30 days prior to surgery) I have an appointment for my EKG on February 12, my PCP will also perform a pre-op physical requested by the New York surgeon. All results will be forwarded to New York.
This picture was posted on my last blog, the New York surgeon said that with out surgery the opening where the colon has looped out would only get bigger. Due to the trunk (opening) being measured up to 4.7 cm, incarceration is unlikely. This was a huge relief, I am just thankful that we found a surgeon that looked at my images and said “YES” I can repair this.
Please mark your calendars and send prayers and good vibes all the way to New York when I am having this hernia repaired.
Mahalo for reading
My Breast Cancer Journey 