Rare Diseases and Miraculous Cures: My Medical Career Journey

The road to becoming a medical professional is often riddled with interesting stories and challenges, especially when dealing with rare and complex diseases. My career has been filled with fascinating encounters, some of which involve rare conditions that have truly captivated my interest. Below are two such cases, both of which demonstrate the resilience of the human body and the incredible impact a dedicated health care team can have.

Curing Severe Hypertension with Adrenal Tumor Identification

One of my favorite cases involves a young woman who suffered from severe hypertension that was resistant to conventional treatment. After exhausting all other options, I referred her to a colleague in the hospital who was able to get her blood pressure under control. Initially, I suspected an adrenal tumor as the cause of her condition but my colleague, a wonderful physician with whom I later worked, thought that the imbalance in her potassium levels was due to the diuretics I had prescribed.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, this young woman was an illegal alien, which made her diagnosis even more challenging, as she sought treatment at a community health center that serves many underserved individuals. To further investigate, I arranged for a donated CT scan and consulted with the radiologist. Concerned about the adrenal tumor, I asked for detailed scans through the adrenal glands to ensure an accurate diagnosis. The radiologist identified a tumor, leading me to call the chief surgery resident at my hospital for assistance.

With great excitement, the resident agreed to manage the case, and a laparoscopic procedure was scheduled. The surgery was a success, and the patient's hypertension was cured. She left the hospital without any medication, marking one of the few curable causes of hypertension that I have encountered in my career.

Diagnosing and Treating Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus in a Vietnamese Patient

Another intriguing case involves a patient from Vietnam who began experiencing memory problems, urinary incontinence, and walking difficulties. Initially, her daughter thought she was losing her mind, but upon closer observation, it was clear that something was amiss. After conducting a radionuclide scan of her spinal fluid circulation, I advised the spinal fluid to be withdrawn in an unusually large amount to improve her symptoms immediately. The test results confirmed the diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH).

Upon receiving this diagnosis, I called a neurosurgeon friend to perform a ventriculoperitoneal shunt procedure, which corrected her condition almost immediately. Her daughter, feeling embarrassed by her mother's condition, showered my patient and I with gratitude and prayers. The husband of this patient, a diligent worker at the local grocery store, followed me around the store, using broken English to express his gratitude for curing his wife.

Lessons Learned from These Rare Cases

These stories highlight the importance of perseverance, close collaboration with colleagues, and a willingness to break from conventional treatment methods. Each case underscores how rare diseases often require innovative diagnostic tools and procedures to uncover the correct diagnosis and, ultimately, bring about a remarkable turnaround in the patient's condition.

Conclusion

My medical journey is filled with stories of incredible resilience and the power of dedication to the field of medicine. Rare diseases like the adrenal tumor and NPH can be challenging to diagnose and treat, but these cases remind us of the significance of dedicated health care workers and the potential for life-changing outcomes. As a medical professional, I am constantly inspired by these stories and honored to contribute to the health and well-being of the communities I serve.