Dominik Bauer's Story

For Dominik Bauer, healing wasn’t just about surgery—it was about trust, faith, and the comforting care he received during a moment of uncertainty. A musician, pastor, and performer, Dominik was born and raised in Austria and has spent the last several years making a life in the United States. He and his wife, Jen Bricker-Bauer have lived in Robinson, Illinois, for three years.

After returning from a trip to California, Dominik began feeling unwell. What started as mild stomach discomfort quickly progressed into something more serious.

“I just didn’t feel good. I thought maybe I’d eaten something bad—maybe too much dairy or just too much food in general,” he explained. “By Monday, it wasn’t getting better. Everything I drank came right back out. That’s when my wife said, ‘We have to go to the hospital.’ I wasn’t sure—maybe I was just being a wimp—but I couldn’t ignore how bad it was.”

“There are other hospitals that are closer, but we’ve had a very good experience with Good Samaritan,” Dominik said. “Even though I was in pain, it was worth the drive.”

When they arrived at the Emergency Department, Dominik was seen quickly. Before ordering a CT scan, the medical team conducted several tests and asked detailed questions to rule out other possible diagnoses.

“The doctor asked me a bunch of questions and said, ‘Okay, that’s not it, that’s not it—we can rule that out,’” Dominik recalled. “Everyone seemed curious about what was going on. Then, after the CT scan came back, the doctor opened the curtain and looked really excited. He said, ‘Your appendix is inflamed—you need surgery.’ I think he was happy they found the cause.” That night, Dominik met Dr. Mohammed Ismael, the surgeon who would perform his procedure.

“Dr. Ismael made me feel very good going into surgery,” Dominik said. “He explained everything in detail, really listened to my concerns, and paid attention to me. That stood out. It made all the difference when facing something so unexpected.”

Dominik underwent da Vinci robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that uses small incisions and typically leads to faster recovery.

“I think I had four small cuts, less than half an inch each. Dr. Ismael used glue to seal them, and they healed perfectly,” Dominik said. “The bloating from the air they used during the procedure went away after about a week, and after two and a half weeks, I felt completely fine.”

In fact, Dominik was discharged within an hour of waking up from surgery and had a follow-up visit with Dr. Ismael about two weeks later. “He looked at the scars, asked how I was doing, and we even talked about some personal things for a few minutes,” Dominik shared. “It was more than just a medical check-up—it felt personal, and that meant a lot.”

Now fully recovered, Dominik reflects on the experience with gratitude and a sense of peace. “This couldn’t have gone any better. Of course, there are always risks with surgery, but going to Good Samaritan eliminated a lot of fear,” he said. “We trust the doctors there. I truly believe that makes all the difference.”

Dominik’s story is a reminder that compassionate care, clear communication, and genuine connection can turn even the most unexpected challenges into experiences of healing—and hope.

Click here to watch Dominik's video.