Goodable

Meet the Pizza King of New York City! Hakki arrived in the US in 2001 from Turkey with just $250 in his pocket. He didn't speak English and he didn't know anyone. He slept on park benches until he got help from a homeless shelter and eventually found a job as a dishwasher at a pizzeria.
He saved enough money to buy his own pizza store, but times were still tough. so he gave up his apartment and slept under his oven to stay warm. Then, his luck began to change...

Meet the Pizza King of New YorkHakki arrived in the US in 2001 from Turkey with only $250 in his pocket. He didn't speak the language and he didn't know anyone. He slept on park benches until he got help from a homeless shelter and found a job as a dishwasher at a pizzeria.He saved enough money to buy his own pizza store, but times were still tough. so he gave up his apartment and slept under his oven to stay warm.Then, his luck began to change. He won an international pizza championship for his remarkable spinning of pizza dough. He owns restaurants all over New York.&nbsp; And now, he's giving back.&nbsp;

From Homeless to Hero: How This 3-Time World Pizza Champion is Giving Back

GoodGoodGood

If you’re one of the 40% of people who feel uneasy about flying, Portland International Airport has a fluffy solution: Beni the llama and Captain Jack the alpaca.

These two unlikely airport regulars are part of PDX’s animal therapy program, designed to help calm anxious travelers before takeoff. Every few weeks, the pair trots in from their home base at Mountain Peaks Therapy in Washington, stepping out of farm life and into the bustling airport terminal — turning heads and melting stress along the way.

The camelid cousins aren’t your average therapy animals, but they’ve become celebrities at the airport, posing for selfies and handing out collectible trading cards that detail their personalities. And yes, they come dressed for the occasion, often sporting festive gear or scarves that match the season.

Their presence is part of a broader effort to make PDX more inviting. The airport’s recent redesign includes subtle connections to nature — natural wood elements, open light-filled spaces, and visits from therapy animals like Beni and Captain Jack.

“Being in nature is a stress reliever,” said Allison Ferre, a spokesperson for the Port of Portland. “The therapy animals that come in is just one way we kind of deliver on that for the traveler experience.”

Shannon Joy, co-owner of Mountain Peaks Therapy, says not every llama or alpaca is cut out for this kind of work. Confidence and calm are essential. “It’s rare for llamas and alpacas to have the level of confidence and autonomy that Beni and Captain Jack do,” she told NPR.

Joy and her business partner, Lori Gregory, began bringing their animals into schools and senior centers back in 2007. Over time, word got out — and demand grew. What started as community visits has evolved into a regular role at one of the country’s most beloved airports.

Especially during the holidays, their timing couldn’t be better. Between long lines, delayed flights, and general travel chaos, the pair provides a much-needed moment of joy.

“My favorite response is when we are walking down to a concourse, and you have people with their blank stares just trying to make their way to luggage claim, and they turn around the corner and see a llama and their body just melts in excitement,” Joy told OPB.

Some travelers are so moved, they cry.

“I think dogs elicit the same emotion,” said Lori Sackett, a recent flyer. “But isn’t this a million times more magnificent?”

Each visit from Beni and Captain Jack draws smiles, selfies, and stories shared with family back home. And with airport stress levels running high, their impact speaks for itself — one gentle nuzzle at a time.

Llamas at the Gate: Meet the Furry Therapists Calming Nerves at Portland Airport

Science Alert

For years, creatine has been the go-to supplement for gymgoers and athletes looking to build muscle, improve strength, and boost performance. But a growing body of research is showing it might offer a lot more than just gym gains—and that it’s not just for men.

Studies now suggest creatine may also support brain function, mood, sleep quality, memory, and bone health. And as advertising shifts to target women more directly, questions are emerging: Can creatine really help women too? And should more be taking it?

The short answer is yes, and possibly more than you think.

While most early research focused on male athletes, newer studies are turning attention to how creatine affects women. Some findings are especially promising when it comes to energy, focus, and staying strong as women age.

“Creatine could benefit women by reducing fatigue during exercise,” recent research notes. It may also be helpful for preserving muscle and strength, especially in midlife and beyond—something that becomes increasingly important as metabolism slows, hormones fluctuate, and muscle mass declines after menopause.

Creatine is a natural compound the body makes from amino acids. It’s found in protein-rich foods like beef and seafood, though you'd need to eat nearly a kilogram of raw meat or fish to get about 3 to 5 grams of it. Cooking meat reduces that amount even further. That’s why supplements have become so common—because our bodies don’t store much creatine, we need to top it up regularly.

Daily use of creatine is simple. The most studied and recommended form is creatine monohydrate, taken as a powder, capsule, or gummy. A daily dose of 3g to 5g builds up muscle stores gradually over a few weeks. For those in a hurry, a “loading” approach of 20g daily for one week can do it faster, before scaling back to the regular 3g–5g dose.

There’s a catch, though. Some groups—like vegetarians, vegans, and women—tend to consume less creatine through diet. And while women appear to store a little more of it in their muscles than men, they may respond more slowly or differently to supplementation.

The potential benefits go well beyond exercise. Resistance training already helps combat age-related declines in strength, bone density, and energy. But combining that training with creatine may make workouts more effective and easier to stick with—supporting both long-term physical and mental health.

Studies have shown that women who consistently take creatine while exercising experience improved muscle function. That can translate to better balance, strength, and independence later in life. There’s also some evidence it could support bone health in postmenopausal women, though the findings aren’t yet consistent across all studies.

A common concern about creatine is whether it causes weight gain or makes users look too muscular. But research doesn’t support that, especially at the recommended daily doses. Creatine doesn’t appear to bulk women up or drastically change their physique—what it may do is help them feel stronger and train more effectively.

Then there’s the brain connection. Emerging research shows creatine might help with cognitive function and mood, particularly in women.

One study found that women who took 5g of creatine daily had improved sleep after workouts. Another suggested the same dose could improve sleep quality during perimenopause, possibly by helping the brain meet its energy demands. And in women dealing with depression, creatine supplements seemed to boost the effectiveness of antidepressants.

Creatine might even help with the common but frustrating symptoms many women report during menstruation or menopause—like brain fog, low energy, and poor focus. While it’s not a magic fix, some researchers say it could be a low-cost, low-risk option worth considering.

To see potential brain benefits, though, higher doses of around 5g to 10g daily may be needed, according to current studies.

Still, experts are cautious. Justin Roberts, a professor of nutritional physiology at Anglia Ruskin University, says more studies focused specifically on women are essential. But he adds that even small amounts of creatine, paired with resistance training and a healthy lifestyle, “hold promise in supporting many aspects of women's health.”

Creatine won’t solve everything. But for women looking to support energy, strength, sleep, and mental clarity—especially as they get older—it might be worth a closer look.

Creatine Isn’t Just for Bodybuilders. Here’s Why More Women Are Taking It

Sunny Skyz

A high school senior in Stillwater, Minnesota, is being praised for a quiet act of generosity that left a lasting impression on a stranger — and is now changing his life in return.

Brent Cabahug, who works part-time at Walmart, was at his register during what seemed like an ordinary shift when an elderly woman ahead in line began having trouble with her credit card. After several failed attempts, frustration began to build, and the people around her could feel it.

Dani Dircks, who was next in line, watched the moment unfold. In a Facebook post, she wrote that she could sense the tension. “I could feel that tense buildup of ‘this is taking too long and becoming awkward,’” she said. The woman, she overheard, insisted her card had money on it: “I know it has $300 on it.”

Dircks thought about stepping in. “I was just about to offer to pay,” she wrote, thinking of how she’d want someone to help her own mother in that moment.

But before she could act, Cabahug did. Without saying much, he walked around the register, pulled out his own wallet, and paid for the woman’s groceries himself.

“I watched the cashier walk around, pull out his wallet, and say, ‘I got it,’” Dircks wrote. “I hesitated. This young man didn’t.”

She asked if he had really paid out of his own pocket. He quietly confirmed he had.

“I drove home from that experience thinking, that’s exactly the children I want to raise,” she wrote. “No talk. All action.”

Dircks later learned that Cabahug is saving up for his first car — and had just spent about $80 to help a stranger. Wanting to give back, she started a GoFundMe to help him reach that goal.

She also connected with his mother, and wrote a note to Cabahug himself:
“Dear Brent, I’m not sure who raised you, but I want you to know your actions inspired me more than you will ever know. You are one of a kind, and you are changing the world.”

“I feel like you were an angel,” she added. “Man, you taught me a lesson tonight that will stay with me forever.”

Minnesota Teen Pays for Stranger’s Groceries, Inspires Act of Kindness in Return

People

Elaine West Grimes didn’t set out to spend half a century at Disney World. But 50 years after taking a cashier job at the Contemporary Resort in 1975, she’s still there — and more beloved than ever.

Now 72, Grimes has become a fixture at the 50’s Prime Time Café in Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where she plays a fan-favorite role: Aunt Elaine.

“I am everybody’s favorite Aunt Elaine,” she told PEOPLE. “Everybody needs a favorite aunt.”

Known for her quick wit and strict (but loving) reminders to “set the table” and “eat your vegetables,” Grimes has turned themed dining into a heartfelt experience for generations of Disney guests. The restaurant’s setup mimics a 1950s family kitchen, with cast members playing roles like mom, dad, siblings — and of course, that one aunt who never lets you get away with bad manners.

Grimes didn’t always plan to stay at the park long. But over the decades, she rotated through a number of food and beverage roles, worked behind the scenes training new staff, and eventually found herself right back where she thrives most — face to face with guests.

Her return to customer service was sparked by a shift she didn’t see coming. “They brought in computers, and I’m not a computer person,” she said. So she left the training department and embraced roles at spots like Whispering Canyon Cafe and Chef Mickey’s. But nothing felt quite like home until she found Prime Time Café — and kept coming back.

“I went back there five times,” she said. “I said, ‘If I got to work every day, I’m going to Prime Time.’”

She’s been there ever since. In that time, Grimes has built more than just a resume — she’s built a following. A Facebook group called “Aunt Elaine’s 50’s Prime Time Family Album” features guests posting selfies with her, recounting their favorite memories. Some even return decades later, bringing old photos and snapping new ones with the same woman who once served their family dinner.

“I had a couple come in that I waited on 20 years ago, and they didn’t think I’d still be working,” she said. “They sat at my table and they pulled out a picture from 2006 with me and them and then we took a new picture. It’s like you’ve been friends for a long time.”

For Grimes, that connection is what it’s all about.

“Just to hear a guest tell me ‘thank you’ — that they’ve had a good time — is enough,” she said.

In 2025, Grimes marked her 50th year at the resort with a special tribute: a commemorative Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs statue, part of the company’s recognition of longtime cast members. Disney says the parks enjoy an 80% retention rate, with an average tenure of 12 years — but Grimes has far surpassed that.

Each year, she’s reminded of what keeps her coming back during Disney’s Service Celebration, an exclusive after-hours event for veteran employees. This year, honorees had Magic Kingdom all to themselves on January 27.

“Service Celebration reminds me why I started and why I’ve stayed,” Grimes wrote. “These cast members and our guests are like family, and together we keep the magic going.”

She may have started out behind a cashier’s counter, but today, Aunt Elaine is a piece of the magic herself.

Disney World’s “Aunt Elaine” Celebrates 50 Years of Magic — and Manners

Good News Network

Against all odds, Canadian farmers have pulled off a record-breaking grain harvest in the middle of a relentless five-year drought.

It’s a feat that defies expectations. In Wawanesa, Manitoba, farmer Simon Ellis watched as pounding rains gave way to searing drought—conditions that typically ruin crops. But when harvest time came, Ellis rolled out his combine to collect fields of plump, healthy wheat.

That wheat is now part of a historic national yield, with spring wheat averaging 58.8 bushels per acre—up 77 percent compared to the three-year average from 30 years ago, according to newly released government data cited by Reuters.

“We are constantly making little tweaks,” Ellis told Reuters. “That’s how we’re going to be able to keep fighting the changing climate.”

Those tweaks include a mix of high-tech and low-till methods. On Ellis’s farm, underground drainage systems prevent flooding. He uses slow-release fertilizer and precise weed control to reduce runoff and chemical usage. But perhaps most important is his commitment to zero-till farming.

Zero-till, or no-till farming, means leaving the soil undisturbed before planting. That allows existing plant cover—like clover or grasses—to stay in place, protecting the soil from erosion and extreme heat. It also keeps the soil’s microbiome intact, a hidden web of bacteria and fungi that supports plant health and strengthens immunity.

Today, roughly 75 percent of farmers across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta use zero-till methods. The practice cuts down on fuel and pesticide use while helping fields hold moisture better during dry spells.

These regenerative agriculture methods go a step further than sustainability. They aim to leave soil healthier and more fertile after each harvest, sometimes by running animal herds over the fields between seasons, or planting cover crops that protect and enrich the soil.

Other strategies are making a difference too: intercropping (growing multiple crops in the same field), cover cropping, and the use of GPS-guided tractors and seeders are all helping boost yields in regions that once struggled to grow anything reliably.

In places like the Western Canadian Prairie—where farming has never been easy—these innovations have become essential as climate shifts accelerate. According to Reuters, farmers in grain-growing regions of Australia are seeing similar gains thanks to a similar mix of tools and techniques.

That progress doesn’t come cheap. High-speed tractors and precision combines can cost more than a million dollars. Tile drainage systems, which channel excess water into underground pipes instead of letting it sit on the surface, are expensive to install.

But the long-term payoffs are real: lower annual spending on fuel, fertilizer, and pesticide use, along with healthier soil and more resilient crops.

For Ellis, who’s sending most of his surplus grain abroad to developing countries, the message is simple. With the right mix of tradition and technology, even the harshest growing conditions can yield results.

Canadian Farmers are Smashing Harvest Records Amid a Five-Year Drought

Mongabay

What lives in the towering treetops of the Amazon? For decades, the answer has remained elusive. But scientists in Peru are now using drones and cutting-edge genetic tools to help fill in the blanks.

A team from ETH Zürich’s Environmental Robotics Lab, in partnership with the nonprofit Wilderness International, has piloted a novel method combining drone flights with environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling to detect vertebrate species living high in the rainforest canopy. The results: 257 species detected, including many that traditional ground-based methods miss entirely.

“It also matches with our traditional ground data of the species present in the area,” said Marie Schreiber, head of science communication at Wilderness International. “For us, that was important in order to understand the reliability of the data.”

Environmental DNA refers to genetic material animals leave behind—through skin, hair, saliva, or droppings—which can linger in the environment. It’s been used widely in water sampling to detect species presence, but scientists say that approach tends to overlook animals that live in trees.

“What is going on in the treetops is very difficult to understand and assess,” Schreiber told Mongabay. “We have researchers who cover the ground level when it comes to traditional biodiversity research.”

To address that gap, the team flew drones over two protected rainforest areas near the Tambopata River in the Peruvian Amazon. At each location, the drone lowered a probe with a moist cloth pad into the canopy, brushing against leaves and branches to collect genetic material.

The approach worked. One single canopy sample yielded DNA from up to 50 species. But when researchers compared these findings to water-based samples collected in the same regions, they found little overlap.

Water samples identified more species overall, but the canopy samples revealed entirely different taxonomic groups, including species unlikely to be detected in rivers or streams. “This highlighted the importance of both techniques and the need to use them in a complementary manner,” said postdoctoral researcher Steffen Kirchgeorg, who helped design the drone system.

He explained that because eDNA is “rather stochastic”—randomly scattered and uneven—it was important to maximize contact between the probe and the vegetation. Later flights were fully automated, allowing the drone to follow a pre-programmed path and boost collection efficiency.

Beyond advancing science, the data could carry weight in conservation planning.

“This is data with a lot of impact because it helps in justifying the establishing of new conservation areas and getting funding for them,” Schreiber said.

The study comes at a time when the Peruvian Amazon is under mounting threat from deforestation, agriculture, mining, and road development. Many species remain poorly studied, and researchers say the number of individuals per species is often very low—making detection even more important.

While the technology is promising, Kirchgeorg acknowledged that cost and logistical hurdles remain. “The political or general safety situation may not allow us to bring in drones for these kinds of purposes,” he said.

Still, both Kirchgeorg and Schreiber are optimistic. As eDNA analysis becomes cheaper and more accessible, and as drones become more autonomous, this method could be scaled up to study hard-to-reach ecosystems around the world.

For now, it’s giving scientists an unprecedented look at what’s living in one of the planet’s most biodiverse—and least explored—realms: the treetops.

Drones and DNA Reveal Secrets of the Amazon Rainforest Canopy

CTV News

Kyle Wills knows pain. Every stroke he takes in training comes with it, but he wears it as a badge of purpose.

In 2024, Wills’ best friend of 30 years was diagnosed with an astrocytoma, a cancerous brain tumour. The diagnosis changed everything.

“I just thought what better time to raise awareness and raise money for a cause like that,” said Wills.

Now, the London, Ontario native is preparing for the World’s Toughest Row Atlantic Ocean Challenge, a grueling solo journey across 4,800 kilometers of open sea. He’ll launch from the Canary Islands and finish in Antigua, alone in a small rowing boat, navigating unpredictable swells and solitude for weeks on end.

But Wills sees that uncertainty as symbolic.

“A lot of our community members face overwhelming odds, and they have to demonstrate resilience and determination day to day,” said Nicole Farrell, CEO of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, which will receive some of the funds Wills raises.

His efforts will also benefit Toronto’s SickKids hospital.

“Every child should have the opportunity to have a healthy, carefree childhood, have fun with their friends, explore the world in ways that I got to,” Wills said.

Farrell added that the donations will help support research grants and educational initiatives aimed at finding a cure. “It allows us to find research grants and educational words that are really our goal... so that nobody needs to face this disease.”

The race begins December 12, 2026, but the mission for Wills started long before that. “I just had that gut feeling of this is the next thing,” he said. “This is what you need to do.”

It won’t be easy. Physically and mentally, it’s one of the toughest endurance feats in the world. But Wills says he’s not turning back.

“I just took the leap and leapt into it.”

This Canadian Rower is Set to Cross the Atlantic in a Solo Challenge for Brain Tumour Research

After a fierce winter storm swept across Washington, DC, dumping 25 centimeters of dry snow that quickly turned to ice, dozens of volunteers grabbed their shovels and hit the streets. They weren’t doing it for pay or praise—they were doing it for their neighbors.

With city crews focused on clearing main roads, sidewalks in many residential areas remained blocked and dangerous, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and young children. That’s when the “DC Snow Heroes” stepped in.

Organized through Serve DC, a volunteer program run by Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office, the initiative brings together locals willing to shovel snow and chip away ice for anyone unable to do so themselves.

“As a community, we have to stick together, we have to do what we can do for one another,” said David Ford, one of the volunteers, in an interview with DC News Now. “It’s a lot of people that [are] unable to do things, so that’s where we come in.”

Another Snow Hero put it simply: “Service is the gateway to all success.”

The winter storm that hit the region on Sunday blanketed sidewalks in thick snow. But it was the refreeze overnight that created a real hazard—solid sheets of ice that made even short walks risky.

Residents like Shirley Thomas were grateful to see the volunteers show up. Thomas uses a crutch to get around and said it would have been impossible to clear the snow in front of her home alone. Watching the volunteers work, she said, “It’s not too many people in the world like that.”

According to Serve DC, anyone in the area can sign up to join the effort, even for just one day. The program is part of a broader push by Mayor Bowser’s office to strengthen community bonds through service.

“It is outstanding,” said Lamont Carey, Director of Community Affairs for the Mayor’s Office. “This is really neighbors helping your neighbors, showing the kind of community and love that the mayor thrives off—that we are building—and making sure that we sustain a district.”

For those inspired to help, sign-ups are open through Serve DC’s website. All it takes is a little time, a warm jacket, and a shovel.

And maybe a bit of heart.

‘DC Snow Heroes’ Brave Ice and Cold to Help Neighbors Dig Out

The Library of Congress has named 25 new additions to the National Film Registry, and two actors are getting double the recognition.

Bing Crosby, the velvet-voiced star of Hollywood’s golden age, saw White Christmas (1954) and High Society (1956) inducted. Meanwhile, Denzel Washington’s performances in Glory (1989) and Philadelphia (1993) also earned a place on the prestigious list. All four titles are now part of what the Library calls “the country's most culturally significant films.”

Created in 1988, the registry aims to spotlight films that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” and serves as a cornerstone of American film preservation. The registry accepts 25 films each year, typically announcing the picks in December. This time, the list for 2025 was released in early 2026, with no explanation for the delay.

Among this year's selections are a record number of silent films—six in total—many of them newly discovered or restored. The earliest is The Tramp and the Dog (1896), an early example of comedic “pants humor” and likely the first commercial film made in Chicago. Another standout is The Oath of the Sword (1914), the earliest known Asian American film, which tells the story of a Japanese student in California longing for his love back home.

The registry also included The Maid of McMillan (1916), believed to be the first student-made film in the United States, and Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926), a prohibition-era melodrama with an all-Black cast. It's one of only two surviving films from the Colored Players Film Corporation, a pioneering Black-led production company based in Philadelphia.

On the documentary side, four titles were added, including Brooklyn Bridge (1981), Ken Burns’ first major film. It shares the spotlight with Say Amen, Somebody (1982), a powerful portrait of gospel music, and two more recent entries, The Hours (2002) and Frida (2002).

For movie lovers of the Gen X era, the additions read like a greatest hits list. Clueless (1995), Before Sunrise (1995), The Karate Kid (1984), and The Big Chill (1983) all made the cut. Ralph Macchio, who played the underdog Daniel LaRusso in The Karate Kid, called the news a major honor.

"I'm amazingly proud," Macchio told the Library of Congress. "The National Film Registry and film preservation are so important because it keeps the integrity of cinema alive for multiple generations."

Also included is The Thing (1982), John Carpenter’s cult horror classic that was critically panned at release but later hailed as a genre-defining film.

More contemporary titles include The Truman Show (1998), the prescient satire on reality TV and surveillance culture starring Jim Carrey, and The Incredibles (2004), Pixar’s beloved animated take on a dysfunctional superhero family.

Wes Anderson’s The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) rounds out the list. The film, set in a fictional Alpine resort during the 1930s, was inspired in part by Anderson’s time spent researching at the Library of Congress.

“When we were first starting to try to figure out, how do we tell this story… the architecture and the landscapes… they don't exist anymore,” Anderson said in a statement. He explained that his team scoured the library’s massive “photocrom” collection—early colorized photographs—for visual references. “Much of what is in our film comes directly—with our little twist on it—from that collection, from the library, the Library of Congress.”

Here’s the full list of films added to the National Film Registry for 2025, in chronological order:

• The Tramp and the Dog (1896)
• The Oath of the Sword (1914)
• The Maid of McMillan (1916)
• The Lady (1925)
• Sparrows (1926)
• Ten Nights in a Barroom (1926)
• White Christmas (1954)
• High Society (1956)
• Brooklyn Bridge (1981)
• Say Amen, Somebody (1982)
• The Thing (1982)
• The Big Chill (1983)
• The Karate Kid (1984)
• Glory (1989)
• Philadelphia (1993)
• Before Sunrise (1995)
• Clueless (1995)
• The Truman Show (1998)
• Frida (2002)
• The Hours (2002)
• The Incredibles (2004)
• The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014)

The registry now contains 875 films, and each new addition helps preserve the evolving story of American cinema.

Philadelphia, The Karate Kid, and More Added To The National Film Registry

BBC News

A UK man is back on his feet just days after undergoing pioneering robotic surgery to remove a cancerous tumour and rebuild his oesophagus — a procedure he describes as “incredible” and “life or death.”

Nick Samiotis, 54, says the 12-hour operation at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) spared him weeks in hospital and a long recovery. Instead of the large scars and extended downtime that come with traditional open surgery, he walked his dog just nine days later.

“I feel quite amazing… as soon as I’ve finished here, I’m off to take the dog for a walk,” he said.

Samiotis, who designs props for computer games, was diagnosed with advanced oesophageal cancer in August after struggling to swallow and walk long distances with his border collie. He also experienced anaemia and persistent heartburn.

After chemotherapy to shrink the tumour, he underwent a robotic-assisted oesophagectomy — the removal of part or all of the food pipe. His surgeon, Nicholas Penney, operated using one of the hospital’s four Da Vinci surgical robots.

Penney explained that the robotic system allows for greater precision and less trauma to the body. “The movements we make are miniaturised and we can move the instruments like our hands… it’s all very stable,” he said. “We are seeing them leaving hospital quicker and getting back home and to normal life much sooner.”

According to Penney, the robotic approach is more precise and results in fewer complications. “Patients are in a lot less pain,” he said. “We’re seeing fewer pneumonia cases because the damage to the chest and ribs is far less, so people can breathe better after surgery.”

Samiotis was left with 15 small keyhole scars instead of a large incision. “It’s a lot less trauma to the body so your recovery period is much reduced,” he said. “Otherwise, you’d end up with this huge scar down the side… it takes a lot longer to recover.”

While the small scars “don’t look pretty,” he added, “they’re far easier to recover from than lots of big incisions, and they just seal them up with medical-grade superglue.”

NNUH has become the largest provider of multi-specialty robotic surgery at a single site in the East of England, doubling its number of Da Vinci robots from two to four. Two of the new machines were funded by £2.8 million in donations to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospitals Charity, which is now raising money for a fifth robot that could also be used in paediatric procedures.

Penney said that prior to the expansion, around 25% of all oesophagectomies at the hospital were performed robotically. “We hope that will rise to all appropriate cases by the end of the year,” he said.

Nick Hernon, associate clinical director at NNUH, said robotic-assisted surgery is “fast becoming the future of surgical practice” and that the hospital hopes to strengthen its training partnerships with the University of East Anglia.

NHS England has projected that 9 in 10 keyhole surgeries will be robot-assisted within the next decade. That’s a significant jump from current levels, which stand at roughly 1 in 5.

Samiotis is now facing additional chemotherapy and a strict post-surgery diet. His stomach is smaller, so he’ll transition from liquids to soft foods.

Still, he’s grateful. “Without it, I wouldn’t be able to eat — and the cancer would have spread,” he said. “My family are massively relieved I’ve come through the operation and I’m standing 10 days later. You wouldn’t know I’d had an operation unless you were there.”

His daughter Tabitha, 19, said she was nervous at first about robotic surgery but ultimately found comfort in how far the technology had come. “Three years ago this surgery wouldn’t even have happened,” she recalled a nurse saying. “But in the end, you just have to trust the professionals. The surgical team were remarkable people… you’ve got to be positive, he’s a fighter.”

Looking back, Samiotis said he’d tell his past self not to worry. “The important thing is I’m hopefully cancer-free,” he said.

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