- Men's Health, Women's Health, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCathy Sanders is the kind of person who rarely goes to the doctor and never expected to have to go to the hospital. But all that changed in March when her daughter came home from school and found her barely conscious. The 51-year-old Arnold resident was in critical condition and suffering from a very rare disease in which the body’s blood vessels leak fluid, causing swelling, fluid in the lungs and extremely low, unstable blood pressure. What I have is called systemic capillary leak syndrome or SCLS. It’s very rare: I’m the 151st person in the world to get this diagnosis. I was so lucky, that not only did Dr. Patel figure out what it was, but Dr. Morganti was able to do the surgery I needed. The whole team was just excellent. After about 24 hours in the hospital I’d received 34 liters of IV fluid, which was keeping me alive, but my blood pressure wouldn’t stabilize. I was getting compartment syndrome which is when fluid builds up so severely that it cuts off circulation to the muscles. I needed surgery, which involved cutting through the skin and connective tissue to allow all those fluids out and release the pressure before there was severe tissue damage. I was in very bad shape. My heart rate was dangerously low, I had metabolic acidosis, and was going into respiratory failure. In spite of all this, Dr. Morganti and the two anesthesiologists were able to intubate me and keep me alive and do the surgery. Meanwhile, no one knew what was wrong with me. There were four different critical care doctors all consulting to figure out what was going on. Dr. Patel was actually driving home after work when it hit him. He called Dr. Kirk Druey at NIH, who is one of the few people in the world studying this disease, and he confirmed the diagnosis. It’s incredible that I was able to wake up after that surgery and be told “here’s what’s been happening to you.” Of the four stories I’ve read about SCLS cases, one woman in Louisiana had attacks for ten years and had seen 70 specialists before being diagnosed. The three others were not able to get the surgery I had, and spent months in ICU, burn units, and rehab to relearn how to walk with the permanent tissue damage. That didn’t happen to me because of the incredible staff at the hospital. I spent 15 days at AAMC, and had a few weeks of physical therapy at home. About two months after it all happened I was able to work again, and now, it’s just a matter of building up my strength. I have a small massage therapy practice, and it meant a lot to me to get back to work and see my clients again.0
- Men's Health, Senior Care, Women's HealthGeneral Page Tier 3BlogCarpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition that causes tingling, numbness and pain in the wrists and hands. With more than three million new cases every year in the U.S., typing and overuse of the hands are often associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. However, many studies now suggest these are not causes, and genetics are actually believed to play a major role in determining who gets carpal tunnel syndrome. Orthopedic Surgeon Alex Shushan, MD explains the truth about carpal tunnel syndrome. What causes carpal tunnel syndrome? The carpal tunnel is a small space in your wrist. Nerves and tendons run through this space from your forearm to your hand. Anything that decreases the space available for the nerve may cause carpal tunnel syndrome. This may include: Pregnancy. Thyroid issues. Arthritis. Diabetes. Many cases are “idiopathic,” which means we can’t determine the underlying cause. In these cases, genetics may play a significant role. What are the symptoms? Symptoms include pain, numbness or tingling in your hands or wrists. Most patients experience this first at night, waking up with tingling in the hand that can be “shaken off.” This can progress to daytime numbness and tingling. As the symptoms worsen, patients may have trouble manipulating small objects, such as buttons on a shirt. Symptoms may occur in one or both hands. Who is most at risk? People between age 40 and 60 are especially at risk for carpal tunnel. Women are three times more likely to develop the condition. What about treatment? Splints at night are often prescribed. If this does not help, a nerve study is frequently performed to determine the severity of nerve compression. Those who don’t improve after conservative treatments may be candidates for surgery. Surgery is very effective, with more than 500,000 operations performed each year in the U.S. Ninety-eight percent of patients report they have a “good to excellent” result with surgical carpal tunnel release. Learn how carpal tunnel release surgery provided relief for this local cashier. Contributor Alex Shushan, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in hand and upper extremity surgery at AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists.0
- Heart Care, Patient StoriesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogMike Tennor of Columbia, Maryland stayed physically active for years. He played racquetball and handball for decades and as he reached his 70s, traded in those sports for walking and exercising on an indoor bike to go easy on his joints. While on a walk with his daughter, he began to feel short of breath after walking just a quarter of a mile. He took a break and continued to walk but felt short of breath several times. When they returned home, he told his wife of 50-plus years that he didn’t feel well during the walk, and she recommended they seek medical care. Tennor visited an urgent care facility and a high-sensitivity troponin T test showed that he had experienced a heart attack. He was taken by ambulance to Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center (LHAAMC). At the medical center, it was determined that he had blockage in three arteries. He was scheduled for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. “For Mr. Tennor, the CABG was needed to restore blood flow to the areas of his heart that were not getting enough blood due to the blockages. This surgery improves heart function, especially for those who have recently had a heart attack,” says Murtaza Dawood, MD, the cardiothoracic surgeon who treated Tennor. The surgery took place in February 2024. Tennor states, “Dr. Dawood and his staff were fantastic. He answered any questions we had and we could not have asked for better care.” Following the surgery, Tennor recovered in the Zazulia Heart and Vascular Center, which is an inpatient unit for those with heart conditions. After 36 one-hour sessions of cardiac rehab, Tennor was back to staying physically active. He still walks and uses an indoor bike, and he goes to the gym three times a week. On September 7, 2024, he had his 80th birthday. His wife and two daughters planned a celebration for him in their home of 30-plus years. In addition to staying active, he and his wife dedicate their time to several non-profits. He has two degrees in mathematics and taught high school mathematics for 16 years before learning computer programming in the 1970s. He left his teaching career for a role with Apple in the 1980s, and following that he worked for Lockheed Martin as a programmer analyst. During his time there he received a top secret clearance twice and worked on projects for a variety of government agencies. Today, he uses his background in computers to help non-profits manage their websites. He and his wife love to travel and they have plans to visit Spain and Portugal this fall.0
- Why Luminis Health?At Luminis Health, we have an all-women urogynecology team — including nurses, specialists, surgeons and assistants. We listen to you and offer on-site exams and tests. Then, we outline a path forward that addresses your concerns and treatment wishes.We know many women suffer in silence, unsure of whether their symptoms are a "normal" part of the aging or post-baby experience. You may feel embarrassed about your pelvic health issues. That's why we offer initial consults that provide you privacy, support and education. Our goal is for you to leave feeling informed and empowered.It's time to embrace life without painful and limiting pelvic health symptoms.ConditionConditions/Services/Treatments PageWhat is Urogynecology?Although you can't see them, women's pelvic muscles are powerhouses. The pelvis supports the bladder and bowel, as well as sexual and reproductive organs.That's why many women with pelvic problems need providers who specialize in both female sexual and reproductive health and the urinary and digestive systems. Enter the urogynecologist: an expert in women's pelvic health.0
- Cancer Care, News & Press ReleasesGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAnne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC) Oncology and Hematology has received reaccreditation by the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) certification program. This designation certifies that AAMC Oncology and Hematology continuously meets nationally recognized standards set by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) for safe, quality cancer care. “ASCO’s QOPI certification recognizes those oncology practices that are committed to delivering the highest quality of cancer care,” said ASCO President Daniel F. Hayes, MD, FASCO. “By achieving recertification, this practice has demonstrated its commitment to quality and safety excellence in the care they deliver to patients, as well as to the continuous process of quality improvement.” QOPI certification for outpatient oncology practices is the first program of its kind for oncology in the United States. Only 250 practices are currently certified. AAMC Oncology and Hematology, located in Annapolis and Odenton, provides quality and compassionate care for patients with complex oncology/hematology related problems. The team of highly trained doctors, nurse practitioners and staff encourages open communication with patients. For more information about AAMC Oncology and Hematology, visit www.myaamg.org/oncology-and-hematology.0
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