Local Man Recovers Quickly From Robotic Cancer Surgery

May 15, 2023

George Mathews of Mason City had colon cancer removed robotically by general surgeon Caitlin Lund, DO of the Mason City Clinic. The cancer was detected when George went in for a routine physical examination. Colorectal cancer — often called colon cancer — is typically treated with colorectal cancer surgery which involves removing tumors and surrounding tissue. When discovered early, the survival rate for patients with localized colon cancer is very high.

During robotic surgery, the surgeon uses wristed instruments that enable them to make smaller incisions which helps patients heal faster. With little pain and minimal downtime, George got “back in the saddle” quickly, describing the care he got as, “As good an experience as you could have . . .”

Mason City Clinic general surgeons are highly trained and experienced physicians who perform a wide variety of procedures. Where possible they use minimally invasive endoscopic and laparoscopic surgical techniques. The use of robotics gives patients the benefit of a less invasive procedure that is more thorough and precise than open surgery. As a result, patients typically recover faster with less pain, complications and scarring than with open surgery.

If you’re wondering whether you might be a candidate for robotic surgery, consult your physician or schedule a consultation with a Mason City Clinic physician by calling 641-494-5200.

Transcript

George Mathews:

When I took my physical, it seemed like I was losing blood. They found some cancer in my stomach. Dr. Lund explained what they were going to do and what it’d take and how long. And Dr. Lund, by going in there with all these new things, found it and took it out and made me good enough that I’d get back in the saddle, I guess.

There wasn’t much pain in it at all and they took terrific care of me. Every once in a while they’d bring me in a Pepsi and I was good to go in a couple of days. You’d think, well, there wasn’t much of a big cut they had to make or anything. It was just about as good as an experience you could have to have that done, and such good nurses checking you all the time and sent me home.

I guess coming and getting the physical got it started, but it’s like taking my pickup in for an oil change. They’ll call you up, say, “Your oil’s changed, but you know what? Your transmission’s going out and your rear end’s no good.” There’s a part of that that I understand very clearly now, but it’s as good an experience as you can get.