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As a single working mother, Kathleen Taylor is used to focusing her time on others. “I’m not always the first priority,” she admits. So, when lingering fatigue and swelling in her neck persisted, she went about the business of her life and trusted the medications her primary care doctor prescribed would eventually restore her health. Unfortunately, her symptoms only worsened, and she found herself in GBMC’s Emergency Department in early January 2022. It quickly became apparent just how sick she was. An abscess in her neck had pressed on her airway, dangerously compromising her breathing, and flesh-eating bacteria was wreaking havoc on her body. Kathleen spent twelve days in the hospital and endured several surgeries. “She’s a tough, tough cookie,” remarks Dr. Julie Winston, the otolaryngologist on call when Kathleen came to the Emergency Department. “Necrotizing fasciitis (the clinical term for flesh-eating bacteria) is incredibly critical and can prove fatal.” Dr. Winston is grateful for the collaboration and rapid response of her GBMC colleagues to get Kathleen into emergency surgery so quickly. Once an initial surgery stabilized her breathing, Kathleen spent the next five days in GBMC’s intensive care unit (ICU). In addition to Dr. Winston, three other doctors oversaw Kathleen’s complex medical condition: Dr. Ray Blanco, Medical Director of the Milton J. Dance, Jr. Head and Neck Center; infectious disease specialist, Dr. Ibukunolupo Oni; and plastic surgeon, Dr. Damon Cooney. Dr. Winston also credits residents Dr. Jonas Miller and Dr. John Ryan for doing “an amazing job coordinating all of (Kathleen’s) labs to help with making the diagnosis.” A first-time GBMC patient, Kathleen was amazed with the care she received. She praises her care team for its comprehensive approach and personal attention. “Dr. Winston was in the Emergency Department that first night. She said, ‘You’re super sick; here’s our plan.’ She explained everything.” Kathleen says she appreciates how well the doctors and nurses kept her informed, especially as she was having difficulty remembering everything that was taking place with her condition and treatment. “The level of care started immediately. It was about ‘Let’s get you healthy.’ The doctors were really present.” Dr. Blanco understands the value of GBMC’s collaborative approach to multidisciplinary care. “We have one mission - the patient.” Infectious disease specialist, Dr. Ibukunolupo Oni, echoes Dr. Blanco’s view of coordinated communication between the care team and with the patient. She understood the challenges of Kathleen’s aggressive infection and recognized the multidisciplinary team for determining a treatment plan in a timely manner. “GBMC is a community of well-trained specialists invested in delivering the highest-quality patient care,” Dr. Oni says. In addition to the doctors overseeing her care, Kathleen knows there were many others helping her to get well. “People knew my name” she says, crediting “Mark, who did my CT scan; Lauren, Lacey, Gyanne, Andrew, and Carly in the ICU; Aimee, Rikki, Carol, LaLa, Kim, Nicole, and Anita on the 4th floor; the transport team who took me to every scan, and the wonderful nurse who helped me wash and comb my hair…the care was just above and beyond.” Now two months after her frightening illness, Kathleen reflects on life before and after her experience. Her advice to others who are feeling unwell: “You don’t need to be Wonder Woman. Give yourself permission to be sick and don’t wait!” As she continues to heal and return to a full and busy schedule, she is grateful for her health and “the little things” that define daily life with her 14-year-old daughter. “GBMC saved my life.”
As cancer took its toll, rugged, tough, outdoorsy Mike Dilworth would stop along the walk from their car to the Allan Parsons Infusion Center, turn to his wife Sandy and say, “We need someplace to rest.” Today, one of the benches where he used to stop and catch his breath bears his name. Together, Mike and Sandy Dilworth raised two sons and lived full lives. Sandy has retired from her job as a Vice President for CareFirst and Mike was a master carpenter who owned a construction business. Their lives were upended by Mike’s cancer diagnosis in 2018. After a good experience with GBMC Family Medicine specialist Dr. James Baronas, Mike decided to pursue his cancer treatment at GBMC. They were impressed by the helpfulness they encountered at the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC. Everyone they met kindly took time to make sure Sandy and Mike understood what was going on in Mike’s case. The oldest son among six children, Mike was used to looking out for others. He was uncomplaining about the hardships of his own cancer experience. Nonetheless, it made him sad to see patients who were younger than himself or who were alone when they came to their appointments. He understood how important it was to have support on the cancer journey. GBMC Medical Oncologist Dr. Mei Tang remembers Sandy was by Mike’s side “every visit and every step in his care.” When Mike would instruct doctors and support staff to give the important information to his wife Sandy, he’d explain, “she’s my everything.” Though Mike remained in good spirits throughout his treatment, as his illness progressed, the walk from Daffodil Parking Lot to Physicians Pavilion West became more difficult. Always a strong man, he would have to stop and rest on the journey. There was a bench, halfway between the two destinations, where Mike and Sandy would stop until he’d regained his strength. After his passing, Sandy contributed to GBMC, a gift that is memorialized by naming one of those benches in Mike’s memory. Sandy and Mike were married for 46 years, until Mike’s death from cancer in June 2021. Sandy told Dr. Tang that giving back to GBMC helped her feel that she was doing something for other oncology patients, especially those who were going through treatment alone. If you’d like to remember a loved one with a gift to GBMC and the Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute, please visit www.gbmc.org/give or contact Maureen McNeill or (443) 849-4328.
Arvea's Story: "Find Someone Who Will Listen" Arvea Woolridge understands how important listening is when she thinks about her care at GBMC. A 2019 diabetes diagnosis landed Arvea in the hospital. “When I left to go home, my A1C was really high,” she says. She quickly found herself faced with a host of new challenges and many questions surrounding her health: What was she allowed to eat and how much? What medications did she need to take? In the midst of an overwhelming situation, Arvea credits her GBMC care team with listening to her needs and coordinating her care to get her health back on track, ultimately lowering her A1C nearly five points from 11.7 to 6.9! Everyone from her doctors, nurses, dietitians, care manager, and office staff provided her with the attention needed to manage her overall health and return to a full and active life. Through her diabetes experience, Arvea realized the benefits of getting her primary care at GBMC. “I love GBMC. I’ve had all three of my kids here, and now my primary care is here. I have a tag team...people working together as a team for the common goal of seeing to it that my health becomes better.”
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<p class="article-body"> When Christine Brown turned on the television one afternoon in April, she never thought overhearing an interview with Jennifer Heller, MD, RPVI, FACS, Director of the Vein Center at GBMC HealthCare, would potentially save her life. <br> <br> "I was walking by the TV and heard them talking about a free vein screening from GBMC. I'd been having pain in my leg for some time, and it was starting to swell. I don't have insurance and hadn't been able to see a doctor, so I got the information for the screening and decided to get my leg checked out," Christine said. <br> <br> She drove to the screening site and stuck her legs out of the car for Dr. Heller to examine. What happened next, Christine said, took her by surprise. Dr. Heller said she believed Christine had a clot in her leg and she needed to seek treatment right away. <br> <br> Dr. Heller explained, "I told Christine to come back in two hours for an ultrasound. She did have an extensive blood clot, so we sent her down to the Emergency Department because of concern for a pulmonary embolism (a blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs)." <br> <br> Christine was evaluated in the ED. And after an imaging test showed a pulmonary embolism was, in fact, present, Christine was admitted to GBMC on the spot. <br> <br> Christine said she was nervous about the hospital stay, but the staff at GBMC made her feel comfortable and eased her worries. "They could see I was super anxious, and they did everything they could to reassure me and alleviate that anxiety." <br> <br> Christine said the more information she gathered about pulmonary embolisms, the more thankful she became. "I realized my life was just saved. I could have had a stroke. Anything could have happened." <br> <br> She said the level of care she received at GBMC during her stay was incredible. <br> <br> "Dr. Heller came to check on me, even though I'm not her patient. Everyone was checking to make sure I was okay. I'm just so grateful GBMC held the free screening and made the public aware that it was happening." <br> <br> Free vein screenings have been a part of GBMC's community outreach for several years, said Dr. Heller. But during a global pandemic, they realized they needed to get creative to reach the public safely. <br> <br> "We set it up like a car emissions test. People open up their car door, swing their legs out, and we examine and have a chat with them. We help people to the best of our ability and get them an action plan to move forward," Dr. Heller said. <br> <br> Dr. Heller explained that many patients may still hesitate to visit the doctor's office or the hospital for routine care because of COVID-19 fears. She emphasized anyone with health concerns shouldn't wait to see their healthcare provider. <br> <br> "We [at GBMC] have the highest standards of safety, are equipped with PPE, and have protocols in place to keep everyone safe. Patients should feel reassured knowing that we're doing all we can to keep everyone as safe as possible," Dr. Heller said. <br> <br> The next free vein screening will be held Friday, May 7 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Farmhouse Hill on GBMC's campus in Towson. For more information, please visit <a href="/events-search">www.gbmc.orghttps://www.gbmc.org/events.</a> </p> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> “Since my diagnosis in 2019 and with the guidance of my medical team at GBMC, I have worked full-time since my surgery. I took vacations with my family. I traveled to Illinois for my soon-to-be daughter-in-law's bridal shower. I walked down the aisle with my son at his wedding. I traveled with my daughter to lacrosse tournaments and college visits. I coached my students to win state and national contests.” <br> <br> The words above are from an extremely grateful patient who, to this day, is still battling her diagnosis of late-stage ovarian cancer. Kathy Wojik, patient of Dr. Kimberly Levinson, never thought that her pelvic pain was of any concern. After a visit to her GYN, multiple rounds of imaging, and a visit with Dr. Levinson, Kathy received her diagnosis. Like many, her biggest fear was not for herself but for her family. She didn’t want to leave her children without a mother. She knew she wanted to get started on an aggressive treatment as quickly as possible. <br> <br> Dr. Levinson was quick to schedule Kathy for surgery and start on chemotherapy treatments right away. Shortly after surgery, Dr. Levinson informed Kathy that she qualified for a Clinical Trial. After many hesitations from her family and friends, Kathy decided to move forward knowing that this was her best chance to beat this cancer. <br> <br> The information was scary and confusing but the nurses and care team in The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC walked her through every detail and eased her concerns. Kathy spent many hours at GBMC for her treatments. She came every three weeks and spent 6-8 hours in the infusion chair during each visit. She quickly lost her hair and didn’t hesitate to shave it off. She continued teaching, although there were days that she was completely exhausted. <br> <br> After her treatments, she moved forward with genetic testing. She received good news that her cancer was not genetic, calming her fear of passing it onto her children. Through this testing, she learned that her tumor had the BRCA2 mutation, which was good news. This meant that she was in the open arm of the trial and able to receive all of the drugs at no cost. <br> <br> Kathy felt optimistic as she finished her treatment and began to gain her energy again. Her imaging showed that the treatment was working, and her blood results showed the levels of cancer had dropped into the “normal” range but could have been lower. After 3 weeks of medication, there was another drop in her markers - another small victory! <br> <br> After her treatments ended, she was asked if she wanted to continue the medication. With little hesitation, Kathy said yes. She still has another year of oral medication and six months of infusions left but she is feeling blessed and grateful for her care team at GBMC. </p> <blockquote> “I have a great medical team, including Dr. Levinson, the research nurses, and the infusion nurses, leading my way. They have all been a great support system and have helped me stay positive throughout this journey.” </blockquote> Kathy is happy to report that she is back to teaching full time and has been a part of many milestones with her children and family. Kathy is an example of just one of the many patients that make multiple trips to GBMC for their treatment, often lasting more than six hours at a time. You can help ease the burden of these patients by contributing to our <a href="https://www.classy.org/give/308233/#!/donation/checkout" target="_blank">Giving Tuesday Campaign to benefit The Clinical Trial Program in The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute</a> and give more patients, like Kathy, the hope they need to continue their fight. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> More than 18 years ago, Sally Watsic was diagnosed with breast cancer. She received her diagnosis over the holiday season and was told the surgeon was out of town. Another physician overheard Sally’s conversation with her doctor and recommended GBMC - more specifically, Dr. Lauren Schnaper in The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Comprehensive Breast Care Center. “If you don’t mind the drive from Frederick, they would be the best,” noted the physician. <br> <br> After making the decision to visit GBMC, Sally called Dr. Schnaper “her kind of doctor” - direct and to the point. After one surgery, Sally opted to have a double mastectomy and said to her surgeon, Dr. Sheri Slezak, that she needed to be on the field for her field hockey team. Sally’s surgery occurred on July 29th and by August 14th she was back on the field for try-outs. Both Dr. Schnaper and Dr. Slezak believe that patients who stick to their normal routines tend to experience a better recovery period. </p> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/a5a49af65076d324359de1def3ebef00.jpg"> <figcaption> Sally and her friend - photo taken pre-COVID-19 </figcaption> </figure> Sally had an amazing care team that consisted of her physicians, surgeons, and her oncologist, Dr. Robert Donegan, who encouraged her to keep up with her normal activities and routine. In addition to her medical team, she had a large support system from family, friends, and colleagues during a time when she thought her only battle was against breast cancer. <br> <br> Ten years later, Sally began to experience pain in her hip and lower back. After two months, she visited an orthopedist who immediately ordered several x-rays and asked who her oncologist was, which she knew was not a good sign. Her original diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer had spread to her bones. <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/773c21f4cb985790e5809bb45ee0f0d7.jpg"> <figcaption> Sally and her family - photo taken pre-COVID-19 </figcaption> </figure> <br> <br> Sally went back to Dr. Donegan and began treatment right away. As part of her treatment, a rod was put in her left leg to sustain kyphoplasty and radiation. She quickly began to search her prognosis and to research everything she could. Her advice now? “Never look online,” she says. During her research, Sally read that she only had a 22% survival rate. She was not ready to give up her fight and quickly asked Dr. Donegan what clinical trials were available. After a few attempts, they finally found the one that worked for Sally. <br> <br> Sally’s body has responded very well on this trial drug, but she says that the experience is more about the people. Her nurses, Karen and Judy, are so motivating and know that Sally isn’t willing to give up her fight. <br> <br> <blockquote> “I will beat the statistics because I have a great team working with me. I have goals, that I plan to meet. I will see my children graduate college, see them get married, and most importantly, be a grandma! The clinical trial research team will help find the cure; I truly believe that.” </blockquote> <br> <br> Because of many patients like Sally, the research performed at GBMC benefits the future of so many cancer patients and gives so many families more time with their loved ones. YOU can help give this gift of time by donating to our <a href="https://www.classy.org/give/308233/#!/donation/checkout" target="_blank">#GivingTuesday campaign benefiting the Clinical Trials program in The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC</a>. <br> <br> *all photos used in this article were submitted and taken pre-COVID-19. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
Time is something that many of us take for granted. For Ethel Zelenske, a patient in the Sandra & Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC, time is something she will always be grateful for and never take for granted again. Ethel’s journey began several years ago with a diagnosis of breast cancer, the same disease that her mother died from when Ethel was just six years old. Ethel received treatment from The Sandra and Malcolm Comprehensive Breast Care Center at GBMC. After Dr. Lauren Schnaper performed surgery, Ethel was referred to medical oncologist, Dr. Madhu Chaudhry. Today, seventeen years later, Dr. Chaudhry remains Ethel’s doctor. Dr. Chaudhry enrolled Ethel in two clinical trials, one for chemotherapy and another for hormonal therapy years later. After seventeen years, her breast cancer has not returned. However, it was not the end of Ethel’s battle against this horrible disease, nor was it the end of her relationship with GBMC HealthCare. Four years after her original diagnosis, Ethel went through genetic testing only to discover that she was positive for the BRCA1+ gene mutation that leads to a higher occurrence of breast and ovarian cancer. Despite a prophylactic gynecological surgery, Ethel developed a rare cancer similar to ovarian cancer. It was then that Ethel added another GBMC physician, gynecological oncologist, Dr. Kimberly Levinson to her treatment team. With a survival rate of less than 50%, Ethel has experienced two recurrences with this specific type of cancer. After her initial diagnosis, she received chemotherapy, surgery, and three years of drug therapy. Dr. Chaudhry continued to study and treat Ethel and suggested she enroll in a new clinical trial, one with targeted oral therapy and a good response rate for women carrying the BRCA gene. This was Ethel’s third clinical trial with GBMC and after the second recurrence of gynecologic cancer, she is in remission and stable, almost ten years after her initial diagnosis. Ethel still visits her team every three months, while also getting a CT scan, bloodwork, and more. The preliminary results of this trial have been published and Ethel is happy to report that she is in the small group of women who have not only had a reduction in the disease but have gone into remission. The best part is that Ethel receives the oral medication at no cost since she is still being studied by the trial. Ethel continues to be grateful for the gift of time she has received thanks to the care of the many GBMC oncologists involved in the Clinical Trials Program. “When I was first diagnosed with the gynecologic cancer, I remember my oncologist telling me she could give me a few good years. But here I am nearly ten years later. Every day is a bonus and I have a great quality of life - even during the pandemic! This trial has given me the best gift of all – TIME! That, I thought, I would never have.” #GivingTuesday is a national day of giving back to support those in need that occurs each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. By donating to GBMC HealthCare's #GivingTuesday campaign benefiting the Clinical Trials program in The Sandra and Malcolm Berman Cancer Institute at GBMC, you can give future patients like Ethel the gift of time. Time with their loved ones, time pursuing their dreams, and time to keep fighting!
<p class="article-body"> After playing baseball in high school, college and a short time in the pros — and with a current career as a football referee and baseball umpire — Chuck Harmon, 55, knows how to handle a little bit of knee pain. <br> <br> So, when he started feeling aches in his knee around his 50th birthday, the Parkville resident just took a pain reliever and waited for it to feel better. That worked for a few years, but eventually he couldn’t tolerate the pain any longer. <br> <br> One of his doctors suggested he meet with Dr. D. Allan Lanzo, an orthopaedic surgeon and the head of sports medicine at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC). <br> <br> </p> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/69c31e9dc568c6ffb3cc1695052633de.jpg" alt="Chuck Harmon hard at work"> <figcaption> Chuck Harmon hard at work </figcaption> </figure> Dr. Lanzo and Harmon decided a subchondroplasty was the best option for his painful, arthritic knee. In fall 2019, Dr. Lanzo performed the minimally invasive, fluoroscopically (X-ray) assisted procedure that targets and fills subchondral bone defects. Subchondral bone is found below the cartilage in a joint and acts as a shock absorber. <br> <br> The surgery went well, and physical therapy was a success. Harmon got cleared to return to work in March 2020. But, by the third inning of his first game back, Harmon was in pain. He went home and iced his knee. <br> <br> The next day, COVID-19 shut down the state. <br> <br> Harmon wasn’t sure what to do. The pain was getting worse; he had limited to no mobility and he couldn’t sleep at all. <br> <br> “When I became unable to sleep because of the pain, my wife, Cara, told me she had had enough,” he said with a laugh. “I had to stop complaining and figure out what was happening.” <br> <br> He called GBMC and was told there would be no surgeries for months because of the pandemic. <br> <br> “When I got through to Dr. Lanzo’s physician’s assistant, I said, ‘I am begging you, I need to see him as soon as possible,’” said Harmon. “Dr. Lanzo knows that I am not a person who likes doctors, nor am I someone who harasses a doctor for an appointment. He knew it must be bad.” <br> <br> And bad it was. <br> <br> Once Harmon got an appointment, Dr. Lanzo discovered Harmon had almost no cartilage left around his right knee. He’d never seen anything like it in 20 years. <br> <br> Harmon said, “He felt terrible and said he would do anything he could to fix the problem.” Unfortunately, Dr. Lanzo's hands were tied, and he could only help to manage Harmon's pain with medication until operating rooms were open again. <br> <br> It was a long wait, but Harmon was scheduled for the first surgery as soon as Dr. Lanzo was back at work and elective surgeries at the hospital had resumed: June 10. <br> <br> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/10517b65c9a184973f942accdce334e2.jpg" alt="Chuck Harmon with his family"> <figcaption> Chuck Harmon with his family </figcaption> </figure> In accordance with GBMC's new pre-operative process, Harmon was tested for COVID-19 and self-quarantined before surgery. He couldn’t have his wife with him in recovery due to visitor restrictions made necessary by the pandemic and was told he would have to spend the night at the hospital, which he did not want. <br> <br> “Because of COVID-19 precautions, my wife couldn’t be there, (nor) my kids. You are basically going through this surgery, and you are totally alone.” <br> <br> Dr. Lanzo was the person who called Harmon’s wife to tell her surgery was a success. And, though Harmon did end up having to spend the night, his care team treated him like family, and Dr. Lanzo was back in his room at 7 a.m. to see how Harmon was doing. It turns out, Harmon was doing great: The surgery was a success and Harmon was walking just four hours after the procedure. <br> <br> Though he had to have two surgeries, Harmon said Dr. Lanzo was the only person he would have wanted by his side. <br> <br> “It’s his bedside manner. I just feel comfortable with this guy,” Harmon said. “He went out of his way for me. I could actually see the pain on his face once he knew the first surgery hadn’t worked. He went out of his way to do what he could to help. Many people don’t treat others like this.” <br> <br> Harmon felt so comfortable, in fact, that he recommended Dr. Lanzo and GBMC to his father-in-law for his knee issues. <br> <br> “Every aspect of my experience at GBMC, from the secretaries to the people taking the COVID tests, they were excellent,” Harmon said. “Everybody was professional and had a smile on their face. I felt it was as good a situation that it could have possibly been.” <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> As a nurse with a husband who was a podiatry resident, Jennifer thought she was prepared for anything that could happen while she was pregnant with her son, Christian. But, at just 26 weeks and 5 days, Jennifer was rushed to GBMC HealthCare where Christian would enter this world weighing only 2 pounds and 6.8 ounces. Before she delivered, the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team came to talk to Jennifer and her husband, Brian. “They told us to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best,” Jennifer said. “That’s what really gets you through, hoping for the best.” <br> <br> </p> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/51010e83668585e938665880594cc9f0.jpg"> <figcaption> Christian in the NICU </figcaption> </figure> Jennifer was able to hold Christian briefly before he was taken to the NICU, where he would spend the next 62 days. “He laid on my stomach, looked right at me, and screamed. It was the best sound I had ever heard,” she remembered. <br> <br> Several hours after her delivery, Jennifer was able to visit the NICU to perform Kangaroo Care – a practice where premature babies are held directly on their parents’ skin, which is vital for their growth and development. “Christian knew exactly where to go as he laid directly on my heart,” Jennifer said. Little did she know, two and a half weeks would pass before she would able to hold her baby again. Christian was declining rapidly and had to be put on a ventilator. “We did everything we could to be sure we gave him the best chance. We even had him baptized,” she explained. <br> <br> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/1f3e0452d2a2298d782564e645649ebc.jpg"> <figcaption> Christian in the NICU </figcaption> </figure> Aside from taking her daughter to and from school, Jennifer spent the majority of her time in the NICU with Christian. “I could only hold him during ‘care time,’ which was about every three hours to avoid over-stimulation,” she said. Christian was five weeks old before his dad, Brian, held him for the first time. “I think he was scared, and he didn’t want to take any opportunities away from me to hold him,” Jennifer explained. For Valentine’s Day that year, Brian gave Jennifer a polaroid of him holding their son that read: “Happy Valentine’s Day from your men.” <br> <br> After their many days to and from GBMC to visit Christian, including three calls in the middle of the night, Jennifer and Brian were finally able to take their son home – he still only weighed four pounds and 12 ounces. “When you leave the NICU, that’s when the hard work starts,” Jennifer said. But GBMC’s team was there to help them every step of the way, from setting up physical and occupational therapy to providing in-home nursing care. <br> <br> Christian and his parents saw their pediatrician every day for a full month after his discharge and continued these visits once per week for another three months. Christian fought hard after his discharge from the NICU and remained on supplemental oxygen until he was four and a half years old. “Everything was harder for him, but he had such drive. He wanted to be alive and well just as much as we wanted that for him,” Jennifer recalled. <br> <br> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/2ab1af4751ca8ddac71b5c5ea55495dd.jpg"> <figcaption> Christian now at 16 years old </figcaption> </figure> Christian’s hard work continues to amaze his parents. At 16 years old and 6 feet tall, Christian is in all Gifted and Talented Classes and is a straight “A” student. During his time in quarantine, he taught himself how to play the piano. Christian loves babies and appreciates his story so much that he hopes to pursue a career as an obstetrics nurse or an OB-GYN. “He has a brilliant mind. He is our miracle, and we don’t take it for granted,” Jennifer described. <br> <br> While it has been some time since their experience in the NICU, Christian and his family come back for a visit every year. When asked about the newly renovated unit, Jennifer said, “It’s amazing! I’m a little jealous, honestly. The team in the NICU are life savers for not only the babies they treat but for their parents as well.” <br> <br> Jennifer offered some advice for parents going through a similar struggle: “Don’t let anyone tell you that it’s impossible. Fight for everything and never give up. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and that light is in your child’s smile.” <br> <br> While it is always hard to have a child in the NICU, the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made it even more emotional and stressful for parents and the NICU team. With visitors limited to one at a time and PPE required at all times, there is an increased need for emotional support for parents. You can help babies like Christian and their parents by <a href="https://www.classy.org/event/gbmc-fathers-day-virtual-5k-and-1-mile-fun-walk/e265001" target="_blank">registering for or donating to the virtual GBMC Father’s Day 5K and 1 Mile Walk</a> happening from Thursday, June 18 through Sunday, June 21 at 11:59 p.m. <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<figure class="image-left"> <img src="/assets/images/greater-living/firsttimeholding.jpg"> <figcaption> Cyndi holding Jade for the first time </figcaption> </figure> Jade, who would be welcomed as their third child in September 2019, was a complete surprise for Brandon and Cyndi. About halfway through the second trimester, Jade’s growth rate began to slow, posing a great concern for the health of their child. Due to her airway being so narrow and underdeveloped, Jade was given a less than 10% chance of resuscitation if they chose to deliver. Tears were shed in abundance for what seemed like weeks on end. Cyndi had to be seen by her OB-GYN three times a week for ultrasound monitoring, knowing that at any given visit they may not hear a heartbeat. <br> <br> Combined with other risk factors, Brandon and Cyndi ultimately had "the talk" with their OB-GYN after an ominous visit for an ultrasound. They were faced with a decision that no parent should ever have to make – deliver Jade early or wait and risk the health of both mom and baby. <br> <br> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/assets/images/greater-living/jade1.jpg"> <figcaption> Jade in the NICU </figcaption> </figure> During one visit, Cyndi’s care team decided that the risks of continuing with gestation were higher the risk of delivering via cesarean. The scene inside the operating room was surreal. “Every member of the delivery team will forever have our gratitude for safely bringing our daughter into the world,” Brandon and Cyndi expressed. <br> <br> When Jade was born, she weighed barely over 15 ounces – including all of the life support and monitoring equipment connected to her tiny, frail body. Brandon and Cyndi only had a brief moment to glance at her before she was taken to the NICU where the next step of her journey would begin. Jade was in the NICU for four months and, during that time, Brandon and Cyndi were humbled by the care provided by the nurses who acted as if their daughter was one of their own. <br> <br> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/assets/images/greater-living/jadehalloween.jpg"> <figcaption> Jade on Halloween </figcaption> </figure> Each evening when Brandon and Cyndi would visit, they were greeted with smiles. The team would explain how Jade's day went and make sure her parents understood her care plan for the next few days. After many ups and downs and spending her first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s in the NICU, Jade was finally given the green light to be discharged in late January. She tipped the scales at a whopping 8 pounds and 1 ounce, and was paraded around the NICU as every nurse, doctor, and staff member took the time to say goodbye. <br> <br> <br> It was hard for Brandon and Cyndi to sum up their experience in the NICU with just a few words. “It was a bittersweet moment for our family. Although our NICU journey was long and often overwhelming, we were the recipients of some of the most genuine and pure acts of kindness I've ever known. The GBMC NICU is home to some of the most professional and compassionate nurses, doctors, and administrative personnel I have ever encountered. Though I'm not a man of faith, our NICU experience has led me to believe that if there are angels in this world, they wear scrubs and work in the GBMC NICU,” Brandon said. <div class="split"> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/assets/images/greater-living/jadegraduate.jpg"> <figcaption> Jade graduating from the NICU, ready to go home! </figcaption> </figure> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/assets/images/greater-living/jade.jpg"> <figcaption> Jade, happy and healthy, at home with Brandon and Cyndi </figcaption> </figure> </div> <br> <br> <br> <br> You can help GBMC’s NICU and their tiniest patients by <a href="https://www.gbmc.org/5k" target="_blank">donating to or participating in the 33rd Annual Father’s Day 5K and 1-Mile Fun Walk</a>. We encourage our community to sign up for either distance and participate. Feel free to invite friends and family to join you in registering! All proceeds from this event benefit the NICU. <br> <br> Watch below as Brandon, Cyndi, and Jade explain why they are involved in the 5K. <div style="padding:56.25% 0 0 0;position:relative;"> <iframe src="https://player.vimeo.com/video/556340678?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479" frameBorder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;" title="Baby Jade" class="hidden"> </iframe> </div> <script src="https://player.vimeo.com/api/player.js"> </script> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> What does it feel like to learn that your first child will be born during a pandemic? Tara Brown and Ari Mittleman know better than most. After five years and eight in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempts, they finally got pregnant – only to learn that their child would be born during the height of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Knowing that family and friends couldn’t be present for the birth was a difficult pill to swallow. “We had been so looking forward to having a big celebration,” said Tara. “So many people were rooting for this baby and now none of them would get to meet her.” <br> <br> Despite their plans having to change, Tara and Ari maintained a remarkably positive attitude. They were worried, of course, but they felt that their only choice was to make the best of the situation. Tara attributes much of her calmness to the relationship she had with her OB-GYN, Dr. Laura Erdman. During the last month of the pregnancy, Ari wasn’t allowed to come to her appointments, so Tara had to lean on Dr. Erdman for support. “She reassured me that everything was going to be okay,” Tara explained. “I knew I wasn’t alone, and I trusted her so much that I wasn’t as panicked as you would expect.” <br> <br> Their primary concern became preparing to have a child when all of their plans were falling apart. Breastfeeding classes had to be cancelled and the Newborn Care Specialist who was supposed to come down from New York no longer could. Tara and Ari had decided not to find out the gender of their child, so they were also concerned that they may have to hold a bris without guests if the baby was a boy. A bris is a Jewish tradition that happens eight days after a boy is born and it’s not something that can be postponed. “We were worried that no one could come,” said Ari. <br> <br> When it came time to go to the hospital, they were surprised by how safe they felt. “The screenings at the front door showed us that GBMC really cared about our safety,” Ari explained. Every person interacting with them was in full personal protective equipment (PPE) and Ari washed his hands hourly in the bathroom of their private room. The extra precautions felt odd, but they put the couple at ease. “I didn’t even recognize Dr. Erdman when she walked in the room,” Tara remembered, “we could basically only see people’s noses.” Still, they could feel the warmth and compassion of those caring for them. “We bonded with these people from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. – we felt like we knew them even though we never saw their faces.” <br> <br> The nursing staff was able to push all of the negatives aside and let Tara and Ari focus on the birth of the child they had worked so hard to conceive. Even when shifts changed during Tara’s labor, they felt so much support from their nurses. One actually made the incoming nurse promise to text her and let her know the gender of the baby. <br> <br> On the evening of April 19, 2020, Eliora Galit Mittleman was born. Her name translates to “wave of divine light” in Hebrew, and it couldn’t be more accurate. Both mother and daughter made it through without any complications and they were finally able to take their miracle baby home. <br> </p> <div class="split"> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/d5978af0f24f4b18e76a3033313514e7.jpg" alt="eliora_first_baby_4.jpg"> </figure> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/aa092925bb94bfdbfa73ab34260b32d9.jpg" alt="eliora_first_baby_3.jpg"> </figure> </div> Becoming new parents during a pandemic isn’t exactly easy, but Tara and Ari are doing the best they can. They’re sad that Eliora’s grandparents haven’t been able to hold her and it’s difficult not having help with caring for the baby in their home. That being said, it isn’t all bad. “It’s been kind of a blessing because the three of us are getting to know each other in a much more intimate way. We don’t have a choice but to take care of her and grow together,” said Tara. <br> <br> Their lives don’t look anything like they thought they would, but they’re so happy that they get to raise their beautiful child. The family is looking forward to throwing a huge party to celebrate Eliora’s first birthday. Tara and Ari expressed gratitude for the care they received at GBMC. “They made us feel at home. We could feel their smiles under their masks and that meant everything to us.” <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<p class="article-body"> As a financial professional, sewing isn’t typically a part of Insung Kim’s daily schedule – until now. Like all of us, Insung’s life has been drastically impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and she now dedicates an hour or more per day to sewing masks for cancer patients, their families, and the dedicated healthcare workers caring for them. <br> <br> GBMC has a special place in Insung’s heart – it’s where she received her breast cancer treatment last year. Her diagnosis came during a time of upheaval in her personal life and she described herself as “being in a very dark space spiritually.” She simply wanted to hide and weather the storm without having to depend on anyone else. “I was stubborn,” she said, “I didn’t want to feel weak because I couldn’t get through it by myself.” <br> <br> Despite her resolve, Insung learned to accept help from her friends and neighbors during her treatment. She was surprised by how much she bonded with the infusion nurses who were caring for her during her chemotherapy. “They were just so wonderful,” she said, “I tell my friends that all the nice people in Maryland must be working at GBMC.” <br> <br> After her first treatment, Insung decided that she wanted to bring more color into the infusion center, so she came with her own quilt and wore clothes she had sewn herself. “I was hoping that the bright colors and patterns would bring some happiness,” she explained. She was right. As soon as her nurse saw the beautiful pieces Insung had brought, she called over Cathy, another infusion nurse who loved crafting and sewing. Cathy and Insung connected over their shared interests and stayed in contact even after Insung had finished her treatments. <br> <br> When the COVID-19 pandemic spread to Maryland, Insung joined a collective in Baltimore that brought local sewers together to make and donate masks to local hospitals. She also reached out to Cathy to see if the infusion center needed masks for themselves or their patients. When Cathy answered yes, she dropped everything – even taking personal leave from work – to sew as many masks for GBMC as quickly as she could. <br> </p> <div class="split"> <figure class="image-left"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/6ea77ea40d03e96379d332ace5ed9462.jpg" alt="infusion_patient_story_mask2.jpg"> </figure> <figure class="image-right"> <img src="/sites/default/files/hg_features/hg_post/32ec15d6f6c4776d1daf2c38435f8341.jpg" alt="infusion_patient_story_mask3.jpg"> </figure> </div> <br> Cathy described them as “simply amazing.” The infusion center ran out of masks fairly quickly, so Insung came back with another 50. “She brought a playful eye to the fabric selection and they are just so joyful. We offered to pay for the supplies, but she refuses. She just wants to give back and help,” said Cathy. <br> <br> Insung has donated hundreds of homemade masks to local hospitals and she has no plans of slowing down. “I never thought my sewing skill would be needed for this kind of task, but this is something I can do, and I want to do anything to help.” She insists that she is just a small part of the movement to support healthcare workers and patients, but her efforts have made all the difference in the world at GBMC’s infusion center. <br> <br> To learn more about how you can give back during this time, please visit www.gbmc.org/donations or donate to the <a href="https://www.classy.org/give/277949/#!/donation/checkout" target="_blank">GBMC HealthCare Workers Fund</a> to support our healthcare heroes. <br> <br> <em>*Click here for more information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)*</em> <div class="end-of-story"> </div>
<iframe class="embed-responsive-item" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/i_dck_c3osM" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> <p class="article-body"> Thirty years ago, when they first started being used, cochlear implants were reserved for patients with no hearing. But a lot has changed in the past three decades. Regina Presley, AuD, Senior Audiologist at the Presbyterian Board of Governors Cochlear Implant Center of Excellence at GBMC, shared the innovations that have made it possible for cochlear implants to change the lives of even more patients. <br> <br> “When we started, cochlear implants were only used for patients who could not hear at all,” Dr. Presley explained. “Now, patients of all ages are getting implants for assistance with hearing when hearing aids are not working for them.” <br> <br> Dr. Presley explained that hearing loss occurs when there is damage to the hair cells in the inner ear. These hair cells send information to the brain, which then gives meaning to the sounds you hear. When they’re damaged, the brain can’t interpret the sounds. <br> <br> For some types of hearing loss, hearing aids can help amplify sound, but when the hair cells are severely damaged, hearing aids just increase the volume of the sounds coming in, but the brain can’t interpret them. That’s when many people consider cochlear implants. <br> <br> The devices are surgically implanted during a 90-minute outpatient procedure that requires very little recovery time. Three weeks later, patients return to the audiologist and the devices are activated. The implants bypass the hair cells and send sound in the form of electrical current, which the brain learns to interpret over time. One of Dr. Presley’s patients, Robert Pullo, shared how cochlear implants changed his life. “I began losing my hearing and it became harder and harder for me to follow and be part of conversations at work and at home. I changed my lifestyle so I wouldn’t be embarrassed by saying the wrong thing, which led to me be more and more isolated. After I retired, I lost my hearing entirely. I tried hearing aids, but I still couldn’t distinguish words from background noise. After I received my cochlear implants, it’s been a complete renewal of my ability to communicate and interact with the world around me. These implants don’t just change your hearing, they change your life,” he said. </p>
