An Oklahoma woman says years of severe abdominal pain and conflicting medical records have left her searching for answers about a surgery she believed removed her gallbladder.
Natashua Cory said she has spent the past several years dealing with chronic pain, confusing CT scan results, and inconsistent hospital documentation that now leaves her questioning whether her gallbladder was ever removed at all.
The situation involves multiple Oklahoma medical facilities, including Bailey Medical Center, Hillcrest Medical Center, and Ascension St. John Owasso.
Years of Pain Led to Surgery Recommendation
Cory said her symptoms began roughly three years ago with intense abdominal pain that gradually worsened over time.
“It just felt like it was a band right here,” Cory explained. “It’s just real tight and pulling and large shock pains, but then later on it just became like a burning sensation, just awful pain.”
She said she initially sought treatment several times at Bailey Medical Center in Owasso before doctors referred her to a surgeon at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa.
According to medical records reviewed by FOX23, the surgeon recommended a cholecystectomy, the surgical removal of the gallbladder.
Operative records from 2023 reportedly stated the procedure was successful.
The operative note documented that Cory’s “gallbladder [was] removed without incident” and further stated that “the cystic duct and artery were clipped and divided” before surgical clips were reinspected and confirmed intact.
Pain Continued After Surgery
Despite records indicating the surgery was completed successfully, Cory said her symptoms never improved.
“I came out of that surgery in the worst pain,” she said. “[I’ve] been in pain since. Nothing’s gotten better.”
About a year after the operation, Cory returned to Bailey Medical Center, where doctors performed a CT scan to investigate the ongoing pain.
According to the imaging report, her gallbladder appeared to be “within normal limits,” language that suggested the organ was still present.
“When I got that report and it said gallbladder present, I’m like okay well, that makes no sense,” Cory said.
Medical Records Were Later Amended
After Cory questioned the CT scan findings, Bailey Medical Center later amended the report.
The updated addendum acknowledged her previous cholecystectomy and stated that a second review of the images showed “no gallbladder present.”
However, the amended report also contained another unusual detail. It stated “there are no clips visualized on the images,” despite surgical notes from Hillcrest indicating clips had been placed during the procedure.
Cory later received a letter from Bailey Medical Center explaining that earlier imaging findings regarding her gallbladder had been inaccurate and notifying her of the amended records.
Still searching for answers, Cory later sought additional medical care through Ascension St. John Owasso.
Additional CT Scans Added More Confusion
Medical records from Ascension St. John reviewed by FOX23 reportedly included phrases such as:
- “The gallbladder appears within normal limits”
- “Questionable previous cholecystectomy”
Cory said one emergency room physician appeared uncertain after reviewing the scans.
“She has a gallbladder,” Cory recalled the doctor saying.
The conflicting imaging interpretations deepened Cory’s uncertainty about whether the surgery had actually removed her gallbladder.
Hospitals Decline Detailed Public Comment
FOX23 contacted Ascension St. John regarding the discrepancies in Cory’s records. According to the report, Cory offered to sign authorization forms allowing the hospital to discuss her medical case publicly with the station.
The hospital declined to directly discuss the records but later requested FOX23 delay publication of the story while updated information was prepared for a planned in-person meeting with Cory.
FOX23 also reached out to Hillcrest Medical Center.
A hospital representative said Hillcrest would not comment beyond information already included in court filings connected to a lawsuit Cory previously filed.
The lawsuit was later dismissed without prejudice, meaning it could potentially be refiled in the future.
Court records connected to the case reportedly state that Hillcrest did remove Cory’s gallbladder during surgery.
The filings also referenced the CT scan that was initially interpreted as showing a normal gallbladder before another physician later amended the findings.
Independent Surgeon Could Not Confirm CT Scan Findings
As part of its investigation, FOX23 obtained copies of CT scan images from Ascension St. John while Cory was present.
The station later sent the images to an independent surgeon for review.
According to FOX23, the surgeon said the limited number of images provided was not enough to conclusively determine whether Cory still has a gallbladder.
However, the surgeon reportedly noted that the accompanying radiology report stated a gallbladder was present.
Patient Continues Searching for Answers
Cory said the uncertainty surrounding her medical records has added emotional stress to years of physical pain.
“I just want to know if I have a gallbladder,” she said. “If I don’t, what can I do to stop the pain that I have?”
She also described ongoing difficulties accessing medical records through online patient portals, which she believes further complicated efforts to understand her diagnosis and treatment history.
As of now, conflicting medical records and imaging reports continue to leave unanswered questions surrounding her surgery and ongoing health problems.
Medical Record Accuracy and Patient Concerns
Cases involving conflicting medical records can create serious complications for patients seeking treatment, second opinions, or legal remedies.
In gallbladder removal procedures, surgical clips are commonly used to close the cystic duct and artery. Imaging studies may sometimes fail to clearly visualize clips depending on scan quality, imaging angles, or surgical techniques, though discrepancies between operative notes and imaging reports can raise concerns that require additional medical review.
Healthcare experts often recommend that patients facing conflicting diagnoses seek independent evaluations, complete imaging reviews, and copies of operative reports when possible.
Ascension St. John later provided FOX23 with the following statement:
“Providing safe, compassionate, patient-centered care is our highest priority. We take concerns regarding patient care seriously and are completing a thorough review of this matter along with our diagnostic radiology providers. Once complete, we will evaluate any appropriate actions identified.”
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Patient | Natashua Cory |
| Primary Issue | Conflicting records about gallbladder removal surgery |
| Initial Symptoms | Severe abdominal pain and burning sensations |
| Original Treatment Facility | Bailey Medical Center |
| Surgery Hospital | Hillcrest Medical Center |
| Procedure | Cholecystectomy (gallbladder removal) |
| Surgical Record | Gallbladder reportedly removed successfully |
| Later CT Scan Finding | Gallbladder “within normal limits” |
| Amended Report | No gallbladder present but no clips visible |
| Additional Hospital | Ascension St. John Owasso |
| Additional Scan Findings | “Questionable previous cholecystectomy” |
| Lawsuit Status | Previously filed and dismissed without prejudice |
| Current Situation | Cory still seeking answers and treatment |
The case involving Natashua Cory highlights the confusion and emotional strain that can occur when medical records and imaging reports appear to conflict. Although operative notes from Hillcrest Medical Center state her gallbladder was successfully removed, later CT scans from multiple hospitals produced contradictory findings suggesting the organ may still be present.
Years after the surgery, Cory says she continues to suffer severe pain while searching for clear answers about her condition. The case also raises broader concerns about medical record accuracy, communication between healthcare providers, and the challenges patients face when trying to navigate complex healthcare systems.
