Robbi

For nearly six months, Robbi Sanders, 40, of St. Louis, suffered from extreme stomach pain, resulting in dramatic weight loss and the inability to even leave her bed. The hospitals she visited couldn’t determine the cause of Robbi’s pain, prescribing her with antibiotics which provided her with only temporary relief.

In July of 2017, Robbi’s condition worsened, and she was taken by ambulance to Christian Hospital. She was placed under the care of Rehan Rafiq, MD, FACG, a BJC Medical Group gastroenterologist. After careful evaluation by Christian Hospital’s nationally recognized gastrointestinal (GI) team, Robbi was finally diagnosed with Crohn’s disease.

Crohn’s disease is a complicated autoimmune disease that affects the digestive system. Timely intervention not only improves quality of life but prevents serious complications, including colon cancer. In Robbi’s case, treatment involved immediate surgery to remove a small bowel obstruction, as well as a targeted therapy delivered through oral medications to manage her Crohn’s disease. Christian Hospital helped her acquire these vital medications when limited resources prevented her from doing so.

Now, Robbi is doing great and has returned to her life and her work caring for people with developmental disabilities. She shares, “I am so thankful I went to Christian Hospital. From start to finish, I was in the best care. My whole experience was awesome, and I really love Dr. Rafiq.  I know he cares.” Robbi even told Dr. Rafiq, “If I had a million dollars, I would give you half, because you saved my life.” 

To which he responded, “Just stay happy and healthy — that is my reward.”

Every member of Christian Hospital’s GI team shares a dedication to providing patients in North County with exceptional GI care like they did for Robbi. “We are truly committed to the population in this area,” says Dr. Rafiq. “We have the expertise, being rated among the top 3% of GI practices in the country, and we will do our best to help patients in our community.”

You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Rafiq by calling 314.652.3710.