Elwood Woman goes from Patient to Caregiver at Silver Cross

On her 17th birthday, what should have been a day of celebration and fun, Autumn Lawson of Elwood woke up to severe stomach pain. In the weeks following, she began losing weight rapidly, and the stomach pain persisted.

Lawon made appointments with her doctor, who recommended she have a colonoscopy with Dr. Reza Gamagami and see several other specialists to try and determine what was making her so sick. After a year of tests and appointments, she finally had a diagnosis: Crohn’s Disease.

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract and belongs to a group of conditions known as inflammatory bowel diseases, or IBD.

“The disease can occur at any age, but Crohn’s disease is most often diagnosed in adolescents and adults between the ages of 20 and 30,” Dr. Gamagami explained. “Treatment for Crohn’s can include the use of medication, alterations in diet and nutrition, and sometimes surgical procedures to repair or remove affected portions of the GI tract.”

Over the next three years, Lawson tried several different medicines to control the symptoms of Crohn’s, but when nothing seemed to help, her only other option was surgery.

When picking a surgeon, Lawson had some very specific requirements: She wanted to make sure she could have the procedure close to home, and she wanted as little scarring as possible. Lawson chose to see Dr. Gamagami again, but this time as her surgeon. Not only was he located conveniently close to home, he was personally recommended by her dad, who had been a patient of Dr. Gamagami’s prior to this.

Speedy Recovery after Surgery

With nervous yet excited anticipation, Lawson had a small bowel resection using the minimally invasive da Vinci Robot at the Midwest Institute for Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital in January of 2017. The results of the procedure astounded Lawson.

“I woke up from the surgery and felt better instantly,” she explained. “My first meal after surgery was an omelet and hash browns. This was such a big deal because eating anything prior to my surgery resulted in instant pain.”

Even better, Lawson spent only one night at the hospital and returned to school only a week and a half after the surgery. Best of all, her tiny scars are barely visible.

Trading her Hospital Gown for Surgical Scrubs

After her life-changing and highly successful surgery, Lawson knew she wanted to work in the medical field.

“Being a patient for so long and learning as much as I did to deal with my own illness, I wanted to be someone who could help others and make them feel better,” she added.

Lawson is currently a surgical technician at Silver Cross Hospital and occasionally works side-by-side with Dr. Gamagami, who is now her mentor. “He’s so happy and excited for me that I’ve been able to finally have relief from all the pain, but also now to be doing what I love and help others. I can go to him with any questions I have.” Lawson, who’s an avid racecar driver, says Dr. Gamagami’s nickname for her is “Speed Racer.”

Looking back, Lawson is happy with her decision. “The thought of surgery was very scary, but I am so glad that I did it,” she said. She’s even happier she found a healthcare career she loves!

For more information about robotic surgery at Silver Cross Hospital, visit www.midwestroboticsurgery.org

Minimally Invasive Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital

The Midwest Institute of Robotic Surgery at Silver Cross Hospital is a leader in robotic colorectal surgery, performing more robotic colorectal surgical procedures than any other hospital or surgery center in the Chicago metropolitan area. Physicians from all over the United States and South America travel to Silver Cross to learn advanced techniques from Reza Gamagami, M.D. and our robotic surgical team. Compared with traditional open surgery, robotic surgery requires significantly smaller incisions, reduced pain, and lower risk of complications. Talk to your doctor to decide of robotic surgery is right for you.