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Robert Michela and Mercy surgical oncologist and Director, Institute for Cancer Care at Mercy, Dr. Armando Sardi

Patient Of Mercy Surgical Oncologist Dr. Armando Sardi Stays Positive Following HIPEC Procedure

‘As if I’m entirely normal’
Cancer survivor says positive attitude, faith make a difference in recovery

By George P. Matysek Jr., THE CATHOLIC REVIEW

Robert Michela hasn’t slowed down a bit.

More than a year after undergoing surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore to treat colon cancer that had spread to his liver, the 70-year-old Virginian still keeps his sights set on the next adventure.

“I took five ski trips last winter,” he said proudly. “I played in the Mid-Atlantic Tennis Championships and I’m playing four or five times a week. I’m traveling. I’m playing a bit of golf. I’m acting as if I’m entirely normal.”

Michela is convinced that his positive outlook on life, a strong faith in God, an active lifestyle and support from family, friends and doctors are the keys to his survival. He was one of hundreds of cancer survivors and their relatives who attended Mercy Medical Center’s June 7 “Celebration of Life” on National Cancer Survivors Day. “The biggest challenge in dealing with this disease is attitudinal,” said Michela, a parishioner of Our Lady of Hope in Potomac Falls, Va., and a government consultant. “You can’t treat it as a death sentence. You have to drive on with what you do on a daily basis.”

Michela said it’s important for cancer patients to rely on a family member or friend who can be with them as they look at treatment possibilities. Michela’s wife, Catherine, played that role for him.

“Someone who’s dealing with this disease gets overwhelmed with the burden and the enormity of the situation and inundated with information,” he explained. “They need to have someone at their side that goes to the appointments with them, listens to all the advice, takes notes and helps do research on the alternatives that they have to choose from.”

After Michela was first diagnosed, he underwent surgery in 2005 at a hospital near Washington, D.C. He also went through two rounds of chemotherapy. When the cancer spread throughout his peritoneal cavity and completely encased his liver, he turned to Mercy Medical Center, which offers high-tech surgery. The procedure took more than 13 hours.

“They re-sectioned me twice, took the cancer out, cleaned off the liver and took out my appendix, my gallbladder and my spleen,” said Michela. “I wouldn’t be talking to you today if it weren’t for Mercy.”

Dr. Armando Sardi, Michela’s surgical oncologist at Mercy, specializes in hyperthermic intraoperative peritoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC), which combines the removal of cancerous tumors with a highly concentrated dose of heated chemotherapy applied directly to the peritoneal cavity.

Michela, who went on a third combination of chemotherapy drugs in February, strongly advises cancer patients to look for second opinions to make sure they understand every option available to them.

“I think they have to seek out the best doctors,” he said.

In battling cancer, Michela said he finds himself giving more attention to prayer than he had in the past.

“I think everybody going through this needs not only faith that things are going to work out, but they have to have faith (in God),” he said. “You have to fight the fight and not give up.”