03/14/2026
March is Colore**al Cancer Awareness Month, and Kelly Michaud’s story is a powerful reminder of why routine colonoscopies matter.
Kelly went in for a routine colonoscopy with no symptoms and no family history—yet that screening detected re**al cancer early and set her on the path to lifesaving treatment.
After completing chemotherapy and radiation, Kelly learned she was a candidate for robotic assisted colore**al surgery at Starr Regional Medical Center. On June 3, 2025, she underwent a minimally invasive sigmoid colectomy using the Da Vinci Surgical System.
Thanks to smaller incisions, less pain, and a quicker recovery, Kelly bounced back fast.
“I felt great afterward. If robotic-assisted surgery is an option, I highly recommend it. It truly turned my life around,” she said.
Her message is simple:
- Get your routine colonoscopy.
- Early detection saves lives.
- Minimally invasive technology can help patients heal faster and return to what they love.
“Robotic surgery can be a game changer,” said surgeon Nicholas Ballay, MD. “It offers patients less risk, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recovery—all close to home.”
Kelly is grateful for her care team, her family, and the strong support that carried her through. “It was a long journey, but robotic-assisted surgery gave me my life back.”