Emily's Gynecologic Robotic Surgery Story

 Emily Moore
Emily and her
granddaughter Emily

When longtime Chula Vista resident Emily Moore decided she was going to be present for the birth of her first grandchild in Florida last June, Moore, a retired director of resident services for a local retirement facility, knew nothing was going to stop her, not even a potentially serious medical condition.

"That's the kind of person I am," Moore said. "When I decide to do something, I do it." During a routine Pap smear, Moore's physician, Dr. Ray P. Kamali, a board-certified and Sharp-affiliated OBGYN, discovered a large growth on her left ovary. Although it wasn't causing Moore any pain, she was unsettled by the possibility that it could rupture, which could cause serious complications such as severe pain and infection. In addition, Moore was told the growth could be cancerous.

With just two weeks until the birth of her grandchild, Moore knew she needed to act quickly, so she was relieved when Dr. Kamali told her about robotic surgery, which offers benefits like a fast recovery time and return to normal activities, minimal pain and scarring and a short hospital stay.

"The recovery time appealed to me the most," Moore said. "I wanted to be healthy and able to enjoy the special moment of my first grandchild being born, not lying on the couch, having to be cared for."

Moore's surgery was successfully performed by Dr. Kamali at Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center. In the days and weeks that followed, she was surprised that she felt so good that even her knee, which had been causing her pain for quite some time, felt better.

"I kept waiting for the pain, but it never came," Moore said. "I felt so good that I didn't need any of the medication that was prescribed to me."

Two weeks after having robotic surgery, Moore was able to fly to Florida and be in the room when her grandchild, a girl, was born. The moment was made even the more special when Moore learned her granddaughter's name: Emily.

"I'm so grateful I was able to have the surgery I needed and be happy and healthy at such an important moment in my family's life," Moore said. "I would recommend robotic surgery to anyone and everyone."

For More Information
To learn more, attend a robotic gynecologic surgery seminar, browse frequently asked questions about robotic gynecologic surgery, or read a patient story. To learn more about Sharp's robotic surgery services or to find a Sharp-affiliated doctor, search for a San Diego OBGYN or  call 1-800-82-SHARP (1-800-827-4277), Monday through Friday, 8 am to 6 pm. For general information about gynecological cancer, please read Gynecological Cancers in Adult Health.