Most people feel nervous when they are told they need surgery. I felt the opposite—I was excited. I had been reading about the arrival of a new surgical robot at Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH) and thought it was incredible that this advanced technology was available right here in my hometown of Victoria. What I couldn’t have imagined then was that I would soon become part of that story. I credit my colorectal surgeon, Dr. Sepehr Khorasani, whose leadership allowed me to be the first person in British Columbia to undergo a unique procedure using the state-of-the-art surgical robot I had only recently read about in the news.
The road to that surgery began in a way I could have never expected: with a bout of norovirus. My wife Jenna and two-year-old son Emmett had already come down with the illness, and I had just arrived to pick up my daughter Lauren from daycare when I suddenly fainted. I was rushed by ambulance to Victoria General Hospital (VGH) where emergency department physician, Dr. Jake Blanco, discovered my liver enzymes were dangerously elevated. That single blood test marked the beginning of an unexpected journey—one that would ultimately lead to a Crohn’s disease diagnosis and life-changing surgery.
Looking back, the signs had been there for years. I had learned to dismiss the digestive issues—blaming poor meal choices, lack of sleep, or the stress of everyday life. My symptoms always felt manageable. But a colonoscopy told a very different story. Several large, inflamed polyps were found in my colon, revealing the hidden damage Crohn’s disease had quietly caused. Reality hit hard when my doctor warned that, without surgical treatment, the polyps would likely develop into colon cancer. For the first time, at the age of 35, I truly understood what was happening inside my body, and I knew surgery was no longer optional.
I was referred to Dr. Sepehr Khorasani as he specializes in colorectal conditions. He explained that Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation or ulcers in the digestive tract, most often affecting the intestines. From the moment I met him, I knew I was in exceptional hands. His calm, reassuring demeanor and obvious expertise immediately put me at ease. He took the time to explain the procedure he recommended: a colectomy, where he planned to remove the diseased portion of my colon and reattach the remainder. He patiently answered all my questions. I could tell he genuinely cares about his patients.
Dr. Khorasani told me that the general surgery team was next in line to use the da Vinci surgical robot, and that I might be one of the first in BC to undergo the procedure with it. He explained how the robot would allow him to operate with incredible precision and how it would mean a much faster, less painful recovery compared to traditional laparoscopic surgery. He said patients treated with this robotic approach tend to experience a reduction in hospital stays. It gave me tremendous confidence going into surgery.
I left his office feeling more optimistic, and more excited, than ever. Knowing that our local hospital had the advanced technology to offer this kind of surgery was incredible. With two young children at home, the prospect of a faster recovery and the reduced need for pain medication was a huge relief. I knew this was going to be major surgery, but with Dr. Khorasani’s expertise and the proven benefits of the robot, I knew I was in the best possible hands. There was no question in my mind: this was the way I wanted my surgery done.
By the time my surgery date arrived on October 1, 2025, I was more than ready, and what followed was far better than I could have imagined. Dr. Khorasani removed nearly my entire colon, leaving me with just 10 centimetres. I ended up with one larger incision and five smaller ones—and no need for a ostomy bag. Thanks to the robotic-assisted approach, I was up and walking the same day, and two days later, I was on my way home. My recovery was so smooth that I didn’t even need to fill my prescription for Tylenol 3. The greatest gift came about two weeks after returning home, when I was able to walk my daughter to school.
I realize how fortunate I am to live in a community that supports vital medical advancements in our local hospitals. Having personally benefited from the surgical robot, I also know my outcome could have been very different—a relative of my wife underwent a similar surgery without robotics and spent a whole month in hospital due to complications. One month. That’s how long it took me to get back to running and exercising as I was before surgery.
Thanks to this technology, and the generous donors who give to the Victoria Hospitals Foundation, I was able to avoid a long, complicated recovery. It still amazes me that after a serious diagnosis and major surgery, I was able to return to my normal life so quickly. I will never take that for granted.
In addition to donors, and the Foundation, I wish to share a sincere thank you to Dr. Khorasani, and all staff on 7N at Royal Jubilee, especially the nurses and care aides. Because of your care and support, patients like me can recover more quickly, stay close to home, and return sooner to what matters most—our families, our routines, and our lives. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
