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Gastroenterology
‘I was in good hands’: Emergency surgery saves woman with rare pancreatic aneurysm
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Donna Monroe, an accomplished interior designer and business owner, has always been passionate about music, travel and leading an active lifestyle. Her adventures with her husband have taken her to locations near and far, including on a recent trip that may not have been possible without a lifesaving diagnosis and surgery.
In August 2023, Donna underwent knee replacement surgery near her Delray Beach, Florida, home. An otherwise uneventful procedure came with complications weeks later. She began experiencing severe abdominal pain, which she initially attributed to medication side effects. When Donna’s condition worsened, she went to a local emergency department.
After five days in a local hospital, a CT scan showed a mass at the head of the pancreas, which physicians suspected to be pancreatic cancer. Concerned with this diagnosis, Donna sought a second opinion, which led her to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dr. Yan Bi, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, took charge of Donna's case. Dr. Bi ordered scans and labs to help understand what was causing Donna's symptoms.
"It was a Friday afternoon, almost time to call it a day, when I received an urgent call from Dr. Frank Chen," says Dr. Bi. "Dr. Chen alerted me to an emergency that couldn't wait."
"I remember trying to find lunch right after the appointment and receiving a call from Dr. Bi," says Donna. "Dr. Bi told me to return to the hospital immediately, so my husband turned the car around, and we went right back."
Test results revealed that Donna did not have cancer but an aneurysm at the tip of her pancreas that was dangerously close to rupturing. Her care team, including Dr. Jennifer Cowart, Dr. Gregory Frey, nurses, coordinators and others, sprang into action.
"Everyone handled the case expertly and prevented what could have been a catastrophic bleed," says Dr. Bi. "It is a testament to the incredible teamwork and rapid, patient-centered care at Mayo Clinic that ensures the best possible outcome for our patients when it matters most."
Donna remembers thinking after her surgery, "I was in good hands. Everyone was so kind, attentive and caring. Dr. Bi pushed me to get back to the hospital that day, and I'm not sure I'd be here without her."
Reflecting on the past year, Donna admits it was tough.
"It's taken a while to regain strength," she says. "When I look back, I feel much better."
Now, with her health improving, Donna is excited to travel again. She recently completed a journey to Switzerland — a symbol of her determination, made possible by the quick and compassionate care team.
