43-Year-Old Beats Colon Cancer with Robotic Surgery

Myrle Salomon thought his stomach pain was just an infection. At 43, colon cancer never crossed his mind.

But when the discomfort persisted through August 2025, his nurse practitioner April Barr ordered a CT scan. The results showed a mass in his colon, and April called immediately with concern and a plan already in motion.

Within weeks, Myrle met with Dr. Matthew Golden, a surgeon at Norton King's Daughters' Health in Madison, Indiana. Dr. Golden explained how robotic-assisted surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System would mean smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery.

"Dr. Golden said he would pray for me and asked me to pray for him," Myrle recalled. "He told me, 'Between us and God, we'll get through this thing.'"

The surgery happened on September 24, 2025. That same evening, Myrle stood upright in his hospital room with minimal discomfort. The next day, he walked laps around the hospital floor.

Dr. Golden released him to go home on Friday, just two days after surgery. The robotic approach meant no large incisions to slow him down.

The pathology results brought even better news. Myrle's Stage 2B colon cancer was completely removed with no evidence of spread. He wouldn't need chemotherapy or radiation.

"I was very, very lucky," Myrle said. "It was all localized."

Why This Inspires

Myrle's story shows how medical technology and compassionate care can turn a scary diagnosis into a swift recovery. Robotic surgery allowed him to bounce back in days instead of weeks, returning quickly to his life in Jefferson County.

But the real hero might be April, who took his symptoms seriously and moved fast. Her quick action and coordinated care made all the difference.

Now Myrle has a simple message for everyone: "You should never be too busy to take care of yourself."

He continues checkups every three months with Dr. Golden and will have another full scan this September. For now, he's focused on staying healthy and encouraging others to listen to their bodies, especially since colon cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45.