GW Hospital Health Connections

Breast Cancer: After Diagnosis, a Doctor is Guided by a Surgeon and Patient

Dr. Mariam Said is used to being on the other side of the examining table. When she learns that she has breast cancer, an unexpected bond with her surgeon helps her take charge of the situation. Surgeon Dr. Christine Teal [https://www.gwhospital.com/christine-teal-md], who had preventative mastectomies herself, helps Mariam chart a path forward.  Dr. Teal believes that each patient should make decisions that make sense for them and their lives. Options [https://www.gwhospital.com/breast-cancer-therapies] for many breast cancer patients include radiation, chemotherapy, and in some cases, a mastectomy. Dr. Teal shares her own inspiring story and decision-making process as she helps Mariam navigate critical treatment decisions. Mariam shares how the experience changed and even enhanced her life.

Rotator Cuff: After a Tear, How a Bowler Got Back in the Lanes

Joseph Brooks lived to bowl and to clown around with his grandkids. That came to a halt for the active retiree when his rotator cuff went out of commission. After living with growing pain, Joseph is ready to partner with orthopaedic surgeon Zachary Zimmer, MD, [https://gwdocs.com/profile/zachary-r-zimmer] for a solution. The reluctant patient decides to try minimally invasive orthopaedic surgery [https://gwdocs.com/specialties/orthopaedic-surgery]. The result is a story Joseph and his wife Nancy are excited to share.

Long Covid: Young Lawyer Continues to Struggle with Symptoms After Being Hospitalized in Early 2020

In early 2020, Francis Wilson is hospitalized by a mysterious virus. Francis’ haunting journey takes him to the ER, the ICU, and then to the grip of long COVID-19. With the help of infectious disease specialist Hana Akselrod, MD, some of Francis’ mysteries are unraveled.

Kidney Donation: The Gift That Fulfilled Dreams for Two Young Women

Kayla, a young mother, endures dialysis as she prays for a kidney transplant. Finally, she learns that a kidney is going to be available to her – all because someone she had never met decided to donate to someone in need. Hayley, a graduate student, had always dreamed of giving a kidney–a gift of life.  Hayley and Kayla, once strangers to each other, connect through this incredible process orchestrated by Dr. Joseph Keith Melancon and the GW Hospital Transplant Team [https://www.gwhospital.com/conditions-services/transplant-institute/transplant-team] in an encounter they will never forget. Learn about the careful  kidney transplant process [https://www.gwhospital.com/conditions-services/transplant-institute/transplant-process] and how there is little risk and no cost to the donor.

Facial Feminization: An Important Step in Becoming Who She Was Meant To Be

For artist Ameirah Neal, seeing a feminine face in the mirror was an important step in her gender transition. But talking to doctors and completing medical interviews felt intrusive and often unkind. Until she met Dr. Jerry Chao [https://gwdocs.com/profile/jerry-chao] of the GW Hospital Plastic Surgery Department [https://www.gwhospital.com/conditions-services/inpatient-surgery/plastic-surgery]. Dr. Chao helps Ameirah see the potential in her features. His compassionate approach allows Ameirah to trust her treatment and move forward in life.