In the fall of 2024, a young mother–who for this story will be referred to as "S"–started to experience extreme pelvic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and a frequent need to urinate. She made an appointment with her OB/GYN to get some answers. Her doctor ordered scans and the results were a huge surprise: S had a large mass on her uterus.
S, 38, has worked in the healthcare industry, and particularly within hospitals, for over 15 years, so she knows what makes a good physician. Her research into finding the best possible surgeon for her situation led her to Dr. Sharyn Lewin, the Director of the Division of Gynecologic Oncology at Holy Name.
"There was nobody who compared to Dr. Lewin," she said. "She [is] really the top in terms of skill, ability, confidence, and compassion. She [has] no ego, and she was very open and very explanatory."
Dr. Lewin and S discussed her options for surgery at length. Originally, their plan was for Dr. Lewin to partially remove the mass without also removing S's uterus, but she ultimately elected to have it removed in a robotic total hysterectomy.
"I really felt comfortable with her," S said. "[And] my family felt comfortable with her."
S's surgery was in December 2024. She noted that "there was a lot of camaraderie among the staff and willingness to help out with other patients." This contributed to what she called a "very positive feeling overall" at Holy Name.
As S was about to go into surgery, she met multiple healthcare professionals at Holy Name who told her about their own positive experiences with Dr. Lewin. "They all thought they could trust themselves in her very capable hands," S said.
She appreciated that Dr. Lewin made sure she had her discharge instructions prior to surgery, so she was able to prepare for her recovery period ahead of time. S stayed overnight in the hospital after the operation and returned home the next day.
"From start to finish, everything was really just top of the line," she said.
After surgery, S's pelvic, gastrointestinal, and bladder issues resolved. While she doesn't yet feel back to her full strength, she experienced an immediate relief from symptoms. Even while still dealing with the pain from the procedure, S's mother and husband noticed that she was able to walk straighter than she had in months now that her pain was gone.
The uterine mass was found to be benign, and S has no regrets about choosing a total hysterectomy. She is grateful for the personal attention she was given by Dr. Lewin and everyone at Holy Name.
"There was always a lot of care about me as a person," she said. "It wasn't just about the procedure or the physical results."
