A second birthday

365 days. To some people, this is just a reminder of a year gone by. For Sharon Smith, it’s a celebration of a second chance.

What started as a regular day quickly changed when Sharon experienced extreme abdominal pain. 

“It was like someone was wringing my insides,” she explained. When the pain became unbearable, her husband rushed her to TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital’s emergency room. 

“There was no waiting at all. They took me right back and started treating me,” she shared. 

The emergency physician ordered testing to determine the cause of her pain. A CT scan showed that Sharon had been living with diverticulitis. Due to the severity of this flare up, inflammation and infection had caused a rupture, leaking into her abdominal cavity. 

The surgical team at TriStar Greenview didn’t hesitate. They wheeled Sharon back to surgery, with her husband close by, where general surgeon Dr. Michael West performed emergency surgery. He explained the severity of her condition. The procedure would leave her with a colostomy bag, but delaying treatment could mean that she wouldn’t survive. This was life-changing news for Sharon, but she wanted to be well again. 

Following a successful surgery, she woke up on the fifth floor surrounded by a phenomenal care team. “They were constantly checking on me, and they were so sweet.” Sharon said. 

After several days of recovery, she was discharged home. 

Four months later, she returned for a follow-up appointment with Dr. West and was scheduled for a successful colostomy reversal. 

Now, on the one-year anniversary of her diagnosis and surgery, Sharon is all smiles, sharing treats with the care team who saved her life. “I’m celebrating my second birthday and it’s all thanks to you all at TriStar Greenview.”