Your giving saves lives Pete Sanchez

“Thank you is not enough, especially for Dr. Dikranian. He is compassionate and experienced, and I knew he was looking out for me. What can you say to the man who saved your life more than once? ”

Your giving saves lives.

A leader in surgical care, Huntington Hospital has the expert staff and state-of-the-art technolog y needed to perform a wide variety of procedures. Investments from thoughtful philanthropists make our work possible. Donor support has allowed us to bring advanced minimally invasive techniques — which can reduce recovery time, lessen post-surgical pain and minimize scarring — to our patients.

Pete Sanchez was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2010. After discussing his treatment options with his physician, he decided to have surgery. Pete was referred to Armen Dikranian, MD, our medical director of robotic surgery, for a partial nephrectomy. This delicate procedure removes the tumor while saving the kidney.

Donor support made it possible for us to acquire the advanced robotic surgery equipment that Dr. Dikranian used to operate on Pete. The minimally invasive procedure was a success, thanks to the surgeon’s expertise and the high level of precision that is possible using robotic techniques. Pete was cancer free. “I appreciated the minimally invasive option,” he says, “and Dr. Dikranian had a very compassionate approach.”

Pete remained healthy for six years but was then diagnosed with prostate cancer. “I heard somewhere along the way that if cancer happens once, it can happen again,” he says, “so it didn’t come as a total surprise.”

Although the cancer diagnosis was stressful, Pete was reassured by his confidence in Dr. Dikranian and his local hospital: “In my book, if you have to go somewhere for care, Huntington Hospital is the hospital of choice,” he says. “They are very professional and they know exactly what they’re doing.”

Again using robotic surgery techniques, Dr. Dikranian operated on Pete, leaving him cancer free once more. Recovery, notes Pete, “was a matter of breathing exercises, follow-up appointments and waiting for my small wounds to heal,” he says. “There was no negative when it came to the care I received,” he adds.

Pete remains vigilant regarding his health — and grateful to those who provided his care. “Thank you is not enough,” he says, “especially for Dr. Dikranian. He is compassionate and experienced, and I knew he was looking out for me. What can you say to the man who saved your life more than once?”

Pete Sanchez credits advanced robotic surgery — performed at Huntington Hospital by Armen Dikranian, MD — with saving his life. Twice.