The Reverend Karen Crawford moved to Ohio three years ago from Melbourne, Florida, to serve as the pastor at The Presbyterian Church in Coshocton. She was born in a Maryland suburb of Washington, D.C., and earned degrees in education before working as a reading specialist and journalist for a newspaper in York, Pennsylvania. After earning a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary in New Jersey, she served congregations in Minnesota, Florida and Ohio.

Throughout her life and travels, she has remained active and conscientious about her health, exercising, watching her diet and receiving annual wellness exams. It was a shock when she found out that her appendix was enlarged after undergoing a routine colonoscopy at Licking Memorial Hospital in June. There was concern about what might be causing the protuberance.

“That screening saved my life,” she said. “Before making the appointment, I really felt the procedure was unnecessary because I have always been a healthy person and am busy with ministry.”

She was referred to Brent M. Savage, M.D., of Licking Memorial Surgical Services, who sent her for a computed tomography (CT) scan in July for a better look at her appendix and other organs. The CT scan uses a combination of X-rays and a computer to create images of organs, bones and other tissues. The scan confirmed that Karen had appendicitis – an inflammation of the appendix – with the possibility of a mass in the same area, and that she needed surgery.

“Dr. Savage spent time discussing the situation with me and encouraged me to ask questions,” Karen said. “He made pop culture references, joking about the movies Alien and The Matrix that made me laugh. I felt comfortable with him.”

Dr. Savage explained to Karen that the surgery would be attempted by minimally invasive means. The surgeons at LMH typically use laparoscopic surgery for such procedures. Laparoscopic surgery uses an instrument called a laparoscope, a long, thin tube with a high-intensity light and a high-resolution camera at the front, that is inserted through an incision in the abdominal wall. As it moves along, the camera sends images to a video monitor that the surgeon uses to guide precision surgical instruments to the site. However, LMH recently acquired a da Vinci Surgical System and Karen was among the first patients to undergo surgery using the da Vinci robot.

Using the robotic-assisted system enhances the visibility and precision capabilities of the surgeon. The console delivers a 3D high-definition view of the patient’s anatomy, which is magnified 10 times to what the human eye can see. The tiny instruments move like a human hand with a much greater range of motion. Due to the enhanced accuracy of the da Vinci robot, patients experience less blood loss, decreased damage to skin, muscles and tissue, reduced risk of infection, and smaller, less visible scars.

During the procedure, Dr. Savage removed Karen’s appendix. “I was told the infection was severe,” Karen remembered. “I was fortunate that it was discovered when it was. I did not really feel ill, but I realized I had been feeling very tired and rundown. I feel so much better now.” Dr. Savage also was able to remove the mass growing near the appendix. After a follow-up with an oncologist, Karen was assured the mass had been removed before having an opportunity to spread or become cancerous.

“I was pleased with the speed of my recovery,” Karen said. “I did experience pain and some nausea in the first days after my procedure, but I went home the same day as my surgery and was back to work in a week. The scars are hardly visible at all.”

In addition to her own surgery, Karen had to be the support person for her husband, Jim, as he underwent knee replacement surgery. “It was a very trying summer,” Karen said. “But I am so pleased with care we both received. The expert staff at LMH quickly realized that there was something wrong during a routine colonoscopy, and took the steps necessary to make sure the problem was resolved quickly. They saved my life, and I will always be grateful.”

Jim is also a pastor and has been serving as the interim pastor at a church in North Canton. Their son, Jacob, is studying business and accounting at the University of Toledo.