Patient celebrates being cancer-free after undergoing colorectal surgery

Sheilah Peranteau-Slack knew something wasn’t right when experiencing discomfort and irregular bowel movements but had no clue how serious the issue was.

Peranteau-Slack, a 47-year-old Bucks County resident, visited an urgent care to find the cause of two issues—blood in her urine and abnormal bowel movements. She was advised to follow up with a urologist. Her primary care physician referred her to St. Mary Medical Center urologist Patricia Zahner, MD, who performed a CT cystogram and found a bowel obstruction. It was suspected to be a pelvic mass rising from the sigmoid colon onto her uterus.

Following that visit, St. Mary gastroenterologist Kristin Braun, MD, performed a colonoscopy and biopsied the mass, which confirmed the growth was a cancerous tumor. As a result, Braun referred Peranteau-Slack to St. Mary colorectal surgeon Esther Cha, MD.

Dr. Cha examined Peranteau-Slack’s results and informed her that she had locally advanced colon cancer involving her uterus. To remove the mass, Cha and St. Mary gynecologic oncologist Charlotte Marcus, MD, performed oncologic resection by minimally invasive approach—robotic low anterior resection with a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy.

Across the nation, most colon resections are performed with a large abdominal incision. These patients experience more postoperative pain and delay in the return of bowel function, termed postoperative ileus. In addition, they experience a longer hospital stay, on average, 10 to 14 days from the surgery date.

Peranteau-Slack’s surgery was successful with a minimally invasive technique. She had a good oncologic outcome and was discharged on day two of recovery. “My post-op experience was somewhat painful, but fortunately, I was recovering well enough that I went home after two days,” she explains.

“Dr. Cha was there for me throughout the entire process. She assured me that everything was going well, and was professional, courteous, and caring. I was glad to have her as my doctor.” – Sheilah Peranteau-Slack

After surgery, she had to undergo chemotherapy—an additional treatment given after the primary treatment to lower the risk of cancer returning. “During the process, I was extremely nervous and scared. The chemotherapy treatments took a toll on my body. However, I was fortunate to have support from my family and friends, who helped me through the recovery journey,” Peranteau-Slack recalls.

“Additionally, Dr. Cha was there for me throughout the entire process. She assured me that everything was going well, and was professional, courteous, and caring. I was glad to have her as my doctor.”

In January 2023, Cha and St. Mary oncologist Krista Isaac, DO, informed Peranteau-Slack that she was cancer-free. Although she is still experiencing some side effects, Cha assures her that she is on the path to a full recovery.

Esther H. Cha, MD, is a board-certified robotic colorectal surgeon with St. Mary Surgical Associates. To schedule an appointment, please contact the office at 215.710.6613.