Category Archives: illness

Patients receive medical care – and education

Posted on June 9, 2017 by

When we come to a medical appointment at the Upstate Cancer Center, we’re ready to have blood drawn, to have our lungs listened to, to report on our symptoms. We are focused on our health. What we may not realize … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, health care, illness

Young brothers battle cystic fibrosis together

Posted on March 31, 2017 by

  BY AMBER SMITH The day after Trevor Delaney turned 6, his mother took him for an appointment with his pulmonologist, Zafer Soultan, MD. The division chief of pediatric pulmonary medicine at Upstate was eager for Trevor to start taking … Continue reading →

Posted in digestive/gastrointestinal, drugs/medications/pharmacy, illness, lung/pulmonary, patient story, Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital/pediatrics | Tagged , , ,

Ailing med student Alex Paley: ‘A brilliant mind, a true friend’

Posted on February 8, 2017 by

Mckinzie Neggers, a third-year medical student, left Binghamton at 5 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 to join Upstate classmates in Syracuse for the “I’m with Alex” fundraising run at Fleet Feet Sports. Neggers and classmates organized the run in honor of … Continue reading →

Posted in brain/neurology, cancer, community, education, entertainment, family medicine, fundraising, health care, illness, medical education, medical student, patient story, physical therapy/rehabilitation, surgery

Got a couple hours to help save lives? Donate platelets

Posted on January 6, 2017 by

BY SUSAN KEETER “What if you could do one thing on Monday that might save a cancer patient’s life on Wednesday?” That’s the message from a Red Cross video encouraging platelet donation. I’ve donated blood since high school but learned about … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, community, health care, illness, organ donation/transplant, patient story, surgery, technology, volunteers | Tagged , , , ,

Navigating through a cancer diagnosis

Posted on December 13, 2016 by

BY AMBER SMITH While each person’s cancer journey is unique, patients are likely to encounter similar  services and treatment options along the way. Holly Briere, a nurse navigator specializing in cancers of the liver, gallbladder and pancreas, guides us through what the experience … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, digestive/gastrointestinal, drugs/medications/pharmacy, health care, illness, liver/ gallbladder/ pancreas, medical imaging/radiology, pancreas/liver/gallbladder/bile ducts, surgery, technology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Personal plan: Her team crafted the best way to fight her pancreatic cancer

Posted on December 12, 2016 by

BY AMBER SMITH A tumor quietly growing in Gail Brehm’s pancreas invaded her stomach and surrounding soft tissues. Eventually the mass began pressing on a nerve. Brehm, 63, a retired postal worker in Auburn, felt that pain in her lower … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, genetics, health care, HealthLink on Air, illness, liver/ gallbladder/ pancreas, medical imaging/radiology, pancreas/liver/gallbladder/bile ducts, patient story, surgery | Tagged , , , , , , , , ,

How much do existing medical problems impact lung cancer?

Posted on December 9, 2016 by

  BY AMBER SMITH When people are diagnosed with lung cancer, they usually ask about survival odds. Doctors have used calculation methods that take into account the patient’s other diseases, known as comorbidities. A cancer expert at Upstate suggests those calculations … Continue reading →

Posted in aging/geriatrics, cancer, death/dying, health care, illness, research, Smoking Cessation | Tagged , , , , ,

Where cancer patients can find advice for eating right

Posted on December 8, 2016 by

Upstate registered dietitian nutritionist Maria Erdman recommends these resources for help eating well during and after cancer treatment. She also sees patients who are referred by physicians. Reach her at 315-464-3607. — The National Cancer Institute makes the booklet “Eating Hints: … Continue reading →

Posted in cancer, diet/nutrition, digestive/gastrointestinal, health care, illness, recipe, research | Tagged , , ,

What might $50,000 help discover?

Posted on December 7, 2016 by

  BY AMBER SMITH Scientists think big, and long term. They measure progress incrementally, knowing that solutions are often years, decades, centuries in the making. Such dedication can bring society closer to finding cures for cancer, ways to prevent the … Continue reading →

Posted in bones/joints/orthopedics, cancer, drugs/medications/pharmacy, genetics, health care, illness, medical imaging/radiology, research, surgery, technology, urology, women's health/gynecology | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Art from adversity: Students transform radiation masks into artistic décor

Posted on December 6, 2016 by

BY LILY GRENIS “Everything will be OK. I’ll be in a better place. I love you.” Amina Gingold’s mother spoke these words to her while dying of colon cancer. Gingold paid tribute to her mother by embellishing these phrases with … Continue reading →

Posted in adolescents, cancer, death/dying, fundraising, grief/loss, illness, medical imaging/radiology | Tagged , , , , ,