As an allergist-immunologist who trained at Mayo Clinic, one might assume that I’m up to date on my COVID-19 booster vaccinations. However, I realized months ago that I was overdue for a booster; it’s been over a year since my third vaccina…
Category: Conditions
The unsung heroes of disease detectives: Controlling outbreaks and pandemics to save lives
An excerpt from Outbreaks and Pandemics: The Life of a Disease Detective. The importance of disease detectives in solving and controlling outbreaks and pandemics must be recognized. We are the backbone of our public health system. We are scientifically…
The impact of medical traumatic stress on families
Jacob, a father from a low-income, rural background, has vivid flashbacks of seeing his newborn intubated. Confused at why his mind keeps replaying the scene, he struggles to concentrate at work and earn the paycheck he needs to make ends meet for his …
The power of liquid biopsies and the challenge of health care disparities
Laura Nuttall was diagnosed with deadly brain cancer at the age of 18 after going for a routine eye exam. She completed an incredible bucket list, which included meeting Michelle Obama, driving a monster truck, and commanding a Royal Navy warship befor…
From failure to success: How a nurse overcame challenges and thrived in the medical field
I remember the day clearly – sitting in a convenience store parking lot after buying a pack of pencils on my way to my first day of nursing school. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Or, perhaps more realistically, I had no idea how il…
How one liver disease patient found hope and overcame adversity
The first day I came to the liver service, I met Mr. S, who was struggling with complications of liver disease. In the long term, he required a TIPS procedure that would better distribute his abdominal pressure and eventually a liver transplant. He was…
The inspirational journey of an 82-year-old WWII veteran battling cancer
He was 82 years old when he came into our ER, writhing in excruciating abdominal pain. After an ultrasound and a subsequent CT scan, the devastating diagnosis was revealed—end stage pancreatic and liver cancer. Despite enduring a pain level of 10, he m…
Patients with chest numbness following mastectomy may experience lower quality of life
Imagine not being able to fully feel a hug from your loved ones. Not being able to feel your baby’s head nuzzled against your chest. Feeling like a part of your body doesn’t belong to you. These side effects are common following a mastectom…
Surviving multiple cancers: a tale of blessings and exceptional doctors
Although it could be said that I’ve been very “unlucky” over the past couple of years due to surgeries and treatments for three separate cancers, I feel blessed by how “lucky” I have been to have had a combination of outst…
From business trip to battling a rare breast disease: my journey of survival, advocacy, and remission
I never envisioned a business trip could result in a diagnosis of a rare, under-practiced, poorly understood, and emerging chronic inflammatory breast disease affecting 2.4 women per 100,000 and growing. Two months after my return from that business tr…
