Donna Sachs
Early Detection Saves Lives
When Donna Sachs went to the emergency room on May 28, 2015 for heart problems, she never dreamed she might be at risk for colon cancer. Donna had battled a number of health issues, including heart, lung and kidney problems, as well as weight management. In seven months she would add cancer to that list.
“The right side of my heart was damaged and my kidneys had shut down; the doctor told me I would not walk out of the hospital,” said Donna. Although Donna was also experiencing bleeding from the rectum, she refused a colonoscopy because she was afraid. “I had been told previously at a hospital in Ohio that I should never go under anesthesia, so I was afraid to have the colonoscopy,” she explained.
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Donna spent 11 days in the hospital, but once she was released, she went on a mission to improve her health. “I started myself on a strict diet and I’ve lost over 200 pounds,” she said. She also started walking and doing physical therapy exercises at home. “I did everything I could to remain healthy,” she said.
Everything was going well until January 2017 when Donna began having problems again. “I went back to St. Elizabeth because I was bleeding again from the rectum,” she said. Once again, doctors urged her to have a colonoscopy, but again, she refused.
Luckily, St. Elizabeth Healthcare Gastroenterologist Dr. Michael Jones insisted on the colonoscopy and was able to alleviate her fears. During the colonoscopy, Dr. Jones removed several polyps and found several more that were over six centimeters so they could not be removed at that time. Donna was scheduled for surgery with St. Elizabeth Healthcare General Surgeon Dr. Jai Bikhchandani to remove the additional polyps.
“All of the doctors were great,” said Donna. “I would recommend Dr. Jai Bikhchandani to anybody who has cancer.” And although Donna had her friends and family by her side throughout her hospital stay, she says, “The nurses on my floor were like family. They were there with me in a heartbeat.”
Today Donna is doing much better and is cancer free. She has also become an advocate for early detection through colonoscopy. “If I hadn’t come to St. E I would have died,” said Donna. “Now I tell everybody it is very important to have a colonoscopy done as soon as possible.”
