A life-changing surgery ends a battle with chronic pancreatitis

When Shauna Warner first experienced abdominal pain as a junior in college, she never imagined it would mark the beginning of a years-long medical journey. Diagnosed with pancreatitis and later facing a series of complex complications — including a splenic artery aneurysm, gastric varices and, ultimately, a splenectomy — Shauna’s path was anything but straightforward. Although these challenges were significant, high-quality healthcare provided by dedicated specialists made a big difference. The Centennial, Colorado native found  expert care, compassion, a special connection and hope at HCA HealthONE Swedish.

Shauna’s first encounter with pancreatitis was confusing and frightening. “I was having abdominal pain that kind of started slow,” she said. “I thought I was just sore from staying out late.” But the pain escalated quickly. “It got to the point that I couldn’t sleep because of it. I finally went to the hospital thinking they’d just send me away and tell me I was being dramatic.”

Instead, she was diagnosed with acute pancreatitis with a pancreatic cyst. Physicians near her Kansas campus told her to eat a low-fat diet and avoid alcohol, a shock to the system for Shauna who was enjoying everything college life has to offer. She improved for a few weeks on the diet, until the pain came rushing back.

Shauna tried another hospital in Kansas. “They told me my cyst had grown to the size of a grapefruit,” she said. “I was doing everything right, but something else was wrong.” The cyst had to be drained multiple times, eventually with a stent, and she was told she would have to abstain from alcohol for years. “I couldn’t believe it when they told me. I thought, there’s just no way this is my life.”

The uncertainty deepened when doctors mentioned the possibility of cancer. “For a week, I was waiting for test results thinking, ‘I’m going to die.’ It was horrible. It was so scary,” Shauna said. Fortunately, tests for cancerous cells came back negative, but the cause of her inflammation remained a mystery.

Months passed and Shauna entered her senior year, pain free, in the fall of 2023. But by February, she was back in her local emergency room with crippling pain. Doctors performed an endoscopic examination and discovered her chronic pancreatitis had created an upper abdominal ulcer and a splenic artery aneurysm, swelling in the blood vessels supplying the spleen. Shauna’s pancreatitis was no longer acute, but chronic.

Unlike acute pancreatitis, which is often a sudden, temporary inflammation, chronic pancreatitis is a progressive disease that causes irreversible damage to the pancreas over time. This makes it far more serious due to the potential for persistent pain, digestive issues, and even diabetes. To address these grave complications, Shauna underwent surgery to repair the aneurysm and received treatment for her ulcer.

After recovering and then graduating in May, Shauna returned home to the Denver area. She was reconnecting with friends at an amusement park when the pain suddenly came on again. She was rushed to a hospital near her home where tests showed blood vessels were twisted, inflamed and bleeding. The working theory was that the aneurysm had damaged blood flow to Shauna’s spleen – a potentially life-threatening condition without surgical intervention soon. The hospital consulted with its trauma team and recommended open surgery to remove her spleen, but that came with the risk of significant blood loss.

Everything changed when a family friend recommended a second opinion with Dr. Kian Modanlou, a surgeon with HCA HealthONE Swedish who has extensive experience with minimally invasive abdominal surgery. “He was like an angel from above,” Shauna said. “He truly got to know me and my family, which meant a lot. It didn’t feel like he was just doing his job. We felt very cared for and seen.”

Shauna said Dr. Modanlou’s approach was deeply personal. He spent time each day explaining the pre-operative testing process and answered every question with patience and clarity. “He made it simple. I felt comfortable asking questions, and that helped me really understand what was going on and what he thought was the best course of action to take.”

The five-hour robot-assisted  splenectomy was challenging, but Dr. Modanlou’s dedication never wavered. “We always want to provide the very best outcome for every patient, and S hauna’s case really touched me and my surgical team,” Dr. Modanlou said. “She had been suffering for so long, and we finally had an opportunity to not only help her get healthy again but also restore her quality of life so she can go off and enjoy this time of starting out as a young adult.” Shauna had no complications during or after the procedure.

Even the smallest gestures left a lasting impact. “All of this happened in the middle of the summer, and I had a tan. He made sure my scar could be hidden. It’s such a small thing, but it just shows, again, how much he really cared about me. He was always thinking about how his decisions could improve my future,” she said.

Looking back, Shauna’s gratitude extends beyond the surgical team. “The nurses were amazing. One of them took me outside in a wheelchair just because she knew I missed the sun. We were so connected, they felt like family. I was genuinely sad to leave the hospital.”

Post-op testing still hasn’t pinpointed the cause of her pancreatitis, but doctors have ruled out genetic abnormalities and autoimmune disorders. Despite chronic pancreatitis usually being an irreversible condition, Shauna’s pancreas somehow healed completely and is now functioning as it should. “They told me my pancreas is functioning normally again. I haven’t had any issues in months. It really feels like a medical miracle. I put my life in their hands, and I’m so glad I did. Thank you, Dr. Modanlou and the team at HCA HealthONE Swedish!”

Minimally invasive surgical care in Denver

If you need surgery, we get you back to your life as safely and quickly as possible. Whenever possible, the advanced surgeons at HCA HealthONE hospitals use minimally invasive techniques, like robot-assisted surgery, across numerous specialties. These surgeries use smaller incisions and are offered as a benefit to you, as they allow you to recover faster and experience less pain and scarring. Learn more here.