FROM TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE TO THOUGHTFUL CARE
Short Outpatient Procedure Eases Cancer Fears for 45-Year-Old Patient
Janitzia Carbajal
Had I waited a few more months, the polyp likely would have turned into cancer. Today, everything is fine and I’m so glad I found Dr. Kim and PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital.
For several years, 45-year-old Janitzia Carbajal felt intermittent pain in her lower abdomen and found occasional blood in her stool. Thinking it was caused by hemorrhoids, she brushed it off. But when the issues continued, she told her former primary care doctor, who recommended a colonoscopy. While that decision was good, Janitzia’s first colonoscopy experience wasn’t.
“I was just coming out of sedation—I was still a bit drowsy—and the doctor told me I had colon cancer, even though the tissue hadn’t been sent to the lab yet for verification,” she said. “Receiving the news this way was very traumatic for me.”
Janitzia switched doctors and 10 days later learned the truth. The polyp was not cancerous, but it was large—making it more complicated to remove. Her new doctor referred her to Alexander Kim DO, PIH Health gastroenterologist, who specializes in complex polypectomies.
“Polyps can be considered ‘complex’ based on their size, location, form, or underlying scar tissue,” said Dr. Kim. “They are technically more challenging to remove by conventional endoscopic techniques and carry an increased risk of complications.”
When Janitzia met Dr. Kim, she immediately felt at ease. “Dr. Kim was extremely nice, calm, and optimistic—he told me not to worry,” she said. “Even though the polyp was large, he was confident he could remove it during a short outpatient procedure.” Three weeks later, Janitzia’s polyp was removed at PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles. There were no complications and Janitzia went home the same day. “I felt great afterward—no pain at all,” she said. “Dr. Kim was happy to report that the polyp was only pre-cancerous, and he was very glad I came in when I did. Had I waited a few more months, the polyp likely would have turned into cancer. Today, everything is fine and I’m so glad I found Dr. Kim and PIH Health Good Samaritan Hospital.”
To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit PIHHealth.org/Colon or call 213.977.4156.
