30 years ago today (the Sunday before MLK holiday, 1992), around noon, I entered the surgical suite at Loyola Univ. Medical Center, Maywood IL. My sigmoid colon had ruptured shortly after midnight while I was visiting friends in Gurnee IL. The initial pain was excruciating, but this RN knew her vital signs were stable & not wanting to go to a local hospital, I waited until morning to request my friend drive me to Loyola. I walked into the ER where tests confirmed elevated WBC & free air in the abdomen. I was immediately prepped for surgery & the last thing I heard before anesthesia, was "Dr. Marshall will be here in 10 minutes." I first met "Wonderful Wendy," as she was known at the adjoining Hines VA Hospital (where I was employed), the next morning. She drew me a diagram showing the location of a malignant tumor that had grown in the opposite direction of lymph nodes. She said my colon was 95% obstructed & explained in detail the extent of her exploration. My recovery was uneventful and included a year of prophylactic chemo and two follow-up surgeries, to reverse a temporary colostomy and to repair a ventral hernia--as I have a chronic cough due to respiratory allergies. Dr. Marshall installed a nylon net during the hernia repair--which has prevented further complications. She was present for several post-op colonoscopies and performed two breast cyst biopsies for me. This English Lady (and her nurse, Judy) have been blessed Angels in my life--for whom I will ALWAYS be grateful! Thank you, Dr. Marshall. (In 2017, I moved from Illinois back to my Buckeye roots, Dublin, Ohio) I hope you receive this message, and if you do, I'd love to hear from you at the email address below. All the VERY BEST Wishes to you, Joan
The best surgeon there is when it comes to women health. Dr. Marshall is caring, considerate, and gives all available information that you feel well informed.