“ What Would You Like to Do? ”

The question that gave a woman the confidence to opt for a robotic-assisted surgery to put her pain behind her for good.

Judy Shank is passionate about serving her community through her job at the Four Seasons Hospice Home Store. But when Judy started to experience chronic pain it took a toll on her ability to work.

“It was on the right side, sort of midway, just above the waist and wrapped around to the back,” Judy remembers, “It was a very specific pain, and it didn’t move. It just wore me out quicker... It was always there.” and quickly realized that they were dealing with a pretty large renal cyst on Judy’s right kidney. He recommended that Judy meet with AdventHealth Urologist, Nina Harkhani, MD.

Judy sought help from David Onofrey, MD, FACS, at AdventHealth Medical Group Surgery Specialists at Hendersonville.

Dr. Harkhani explained to Judy that kidney cysts were fairly common and sometimes would resolve on their own. So they agreed to wait another three months to see if the pain would subside. But when Judy went back to see Dr. Harkhani, the pain still hadn’t gone away.

“She then asked me a question. She looked at me and she said, ‘what would you like to do?’ And I was blown away!” Judy recalls. “I’ve never had a doctor ask me that. I felt like I was being seen and involved in my care. I told her that I would like for the pain to go away, and if she felt doing the surgery would accomplish that, I was very pleased to go ahead.”

Dr. Harkhani was confident surgery would help relieve Judy’s pain and get her back to enjoying her life, thanks to the recent addition of the da Vinci® Xi robot to the AdventHealth Hendersonville surgery services.

The da Vinci® Xi surgical system is a cutting-edge robotic system that helps surgeons perform minimally invasive surgeries. The system allows surgeons to operate a set of robotic arms and provides high-definition views of the surgical area. The small instrument size makes it possible for the surgeons to operate through smaller incision sites, meaning it allows for an easier and faster recovery.

One of the most unique things about the robotics surgery at AdventHealth Hendersonville is the ability for the patient to meet with a robotics care navigator before the surgery takes place. They work with the patient to prepare them for surgery.

“I’ve had maybe 10 surgeries in my life, and I have never had anything like that,” Judy shares. “I just thought that was miraculous. The fact that I would meet with someone that would want to talk with me and understand my body as much as they could in preparation for the surgery. I thought it was brilliant!”

Judy was able to go home the first day after surgery. She was extremely impressed with the use of the roboticassisted surgery. “I would have to say it was one of the easiest recoveries that I’ve ever had. “I think the da Vinci robot allowed her to do her work in the easiest and quickest fashion, so that it wasn’t as traumatic for the body.”

When Judy woke up post-op, she found an extra touch of loving care that Dr. Harkhani had left with her, a smiley face on her hand. “I call it my signature,” Dr. Harkhani explains, “I put a little smiley face on their hands just to let them know that everything went well and that we spoke. And so when they wake up, if they don’t remember the conversation, they can at least look to their hand for my signature.”

After four weeks of recovery, Judy was able to go back to work. And this time the pain was gone. However, the memory of the whole-person, compassionate care that she experienced at AdventHealth Hendersonville is something that

“Truly the best surgical care I’ve ever had in my life!” Judy explains, “I didn’t have any doubts in the medical care that would be provided, but I’m not accustomed to providers and caregivers trying to care for you completely, your whole body.” She adds, “I was completely thrilled with my care.”

To learn more or schedule an appointment visit AdventHealthNC.com or call 855-774-LIFE (5433).