George Gidden
‘My heart just stopped.’
George began experiencing intermittent abdominal pain over the course of a couple of weeks. When the pain became unbearable, he called his doctor who ordered a number of tests, including an Ultrasound.
A wood craftsman and cabinet maker, George was working at his company’s shop when he received a call from his doctor. He went into the lunchroom for some privacy, and could hardly believe the news when the doctor told him that they found a mass on his kidney.
His doctor was honest yet reassuring. He said, “George, I’m not going to tell you not to be concerned; but do I want you to rest assured that I’m going to get you the best care, and that’s right here in Windsor.”
As a man of faith, George prayed about it, and trusted whatever came next.
George’s Story
George was diagnosed with stage 1 kidney cancer. The location and size of his mass made him a candidate for robotic assisted surgery with the Davinci robot.
In his final pre-operative appointment with the surgeon, he advised him that, if all went well, George could be back home recovering within five days. He gladly accepted the challenge.
George had robotic assisted surgery on a Friday morning. By Saturday he had already reached his first key milestone, and by Sunday, he had completed all the tests and tasks that the doctors set out for him.
By Monday morning, George was discharged from the hospital, and was able to continue his recovery in the comfort of his own home.
“Wow, technology is really moving!”
When the anesthesia wore off in recovery, George was eager to check his chest and abdomen. He wanted to understand how the DaVinci robotic arms had entered his body to perform this life-saving surgery. Given that the kidney is located toward the back of the body, George assumed large incisions would be necessary.
“I couldn’t believe what I discovered when I checked myself for incisions. You mean to tell me they went almost all the way to the back of my body though four small holes? To do what they did – to achieve a successful result from surgery with no major cut or scar – that was the most amazing part of it.”
George continues to be astonished by the specialized operative treatment and care he received from highly trained professionals at the Windsor Regional Cancer Centre.
Worship Eased His Fears
George trusted in his medical team, and was able to keep calm through treatment and preparation for his surgery by leaning on his congregation for support, love, and prayers.
When he lay awake at night in the hospital during those few nights of recovery, he would quietly play worship music to to keep relaxed. Unbeknownst to George, his soothing music was also having a positive impact on the night nurse who cared for him.
Raising Funds For The DaVinci Xi
Now fully recovered, George is encouraging the entire region to support this year’s Grow On Windsor campaign.
“I will do anything in my power to make sure people in our community can have the same experience.” Said George.
He believes that incorporating technology like the DaVinci Xi Surgical Robot will continue to offer hope to patients facing a cancer diagnosis.
George’s Message To Supporters
George Is One Of Five Grow On Windsor Ambassadors
Rod, Jim, Jill, Gemma, and George are local cancer survivors who are sharing their stories in the hopes that you’ll Team Up for Grow On Windsor. Donate in honour of an Ambassador, or register today and raise funds to support world class care close to home.