Kidney cancer
I want to tell you my story of acquaintance with the hospital Ichilov (Sourasky).
In Russia, I was given a disappointing diagnosis: kidney cancer and the only method of treatment in my city is abdominal surgery with kidney removal (nephrectomy). I had no symptoms of the disease, blood and urine tests were normal, and a tumor with a diameter of 4 cm was discovered by chance on an ultrasound.
I am 44 years old and I refused to believe that I, having a leading healthy lifestyle, can have such a terrible disease. I decided to undergo a diagnosis and, if necessary, treatment in Israel. I sent inquiries to different clinics on the Internet and a few employees from various departments of international medical tourism called me. I chose the Ichilov Hospital (Sourasky) and I will explain why.
My grown-up son accompanied me on a trip. We were assigned with an employee who accompanied us everywhere, sat with us in the queue, got us into the doctor’s office for a consultation. The organization completely fell on her shoulders, I could only obey and do what they say (for that many thanks to her). Without her and without the knowledge of Hebrew, we would definitely have been lost in these labyrinths of the hospital.
Doctor Avi Beri was a very pleasant man, a man of few words, like all surgeons in my view. Unfortunately, he confirmed my diagnosis and suggested two treatment options: tumor resection with a da Vinci robot, or radical nephrectomy with a laparoscopic method. I agreed to the last, because the tumor was located in the center of the kidney, and for my peace of mind it was preferable to have a nephrectomy by laparoscopic method. The next day I went to the hospital, and at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, I was operated on successfully by the doctor Avi Beri for an hour. I recovered from the anesthesia quickly, there was a slight pain in the right side, I have something like boots on my legs there that squeezed the air, pressing lightly on my lower leg to avoid blood clots on my legs. Only 2 small scars are visible (like mosquito bites) on my body. According to the nurse’s words, the kidney was removed from a small incision on the scar left after an appendectomy performed in childhood. The next day my hemoglobin dropped sharply, dizziness stopped after blood transfusions. I was staying in the ward for 3 days, after which I was discharged in good condition. The sensations of severe pain were absent during all these days, it was painful only when they took blood from a vein for analysis, but that’s no big deal.
Impressions from the department of international tourism Ichilov (Sourasky) and from the medical staff are very positive, although no one will take bows before you for paying a lot of money for medical services. I didn’t pay extra money into anyone’s pocket. Everything is organized clearly, competently, and professionally. The very appearance of the medical complex is very impressive: multi-storey buildings made of glass with a helipad on the roof of the main building. It is impressive and surprising – how such architectural beauty was created in such a small town!
My story is not an advertisement, I am an ordinary patient who wanted to share my impressions with you, because I remember very well the moment when I eagerly read into all the reviews of patients from different clinics. I hope my story to someone very useful. Now I am at home in Russia. The operation took place a month ago, I feel good. In six months, I plan to come to Sourasky again for a control examination. Thank you all for your attention!