Medical Stories 500s

Health Series
Producer: Inventi Media Group
Rights: Unlimited, 9/1/23 to 9/30/25 (LLS)
7×30
High Definition

Episode 501 – Rare Courage 

The road to a diagnosis can be a long and frustrating one, especially in rare diseases. In this episode of Medical Stories, we meet two women who stand as warriors in their determination to conquer their illnesses.

In Florida, we meet Kim, a vibrant wife, and mother with stage four Ovarian Cancer. Battling with this life-changing experience, she demonstrates the strength it takes to overcome such a debilitating illness with her story. Fortunately, medical science has provided hope as developing novel treatments has proven to be successful in the fight against ovarian cancer.

Melissa became ill with Fabry Disease while serving in the Air Force. Disappointingly, the impact of this rare disease honorably discharged her from serving in the military for not meeting her physical standards. And even though Melissa can no longer serve her country, her heroic determination to receive an accurate diagnosis positioned her on a road to better health and changed her path to being a patron for other veterans and civilians who need similar support. 

Featuring renowned experts: Dr. Robert M. Wenham Chair, Department of Gynecologic Oncology, Moffitt Cancer Center, and Dr. Eric Wallace, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Episode 502 – Heart of the Matter

Many people are surprised to learn that the number one cause of death for women in the U.S. is heart disease. As many as 1 in 3 women die each year from cardiovascular disease or stroke—more than all cancers combined.

Fortunately, medical science has provided new therapies in recent years that have changed the outcomes for many women who suffer from heart ailments. In this episode of Medical Stories, we meet two women with very different heart health issues and learn how each received treatment has significantly improved their quality of life. 

Featuring renowned experts: Dr. Jason H. Rogers from the University of California, Davis Medical Center, and Dr. Thomas Maldonado from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine.

Episode 503 – Out of Nowhere

In this episode of Medical Stories, we’ll meet two women in their sixties who share a fiery spirit of optimism as they each face life-changing medical challenges. 

Janelle, an energetic grandmother in Iowa, developed difficulty walking and climbing stairs “out of nowhere.” It came as a shock when she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome, also known as LEMS, a condition in which the immune system attacks the areas where your nerves and muscles connect.

Through participating in groundbreaking research, Janelle has been able to return to many of the activities she loves and has helped others do the same through the information gained and the development of new treatments.

From Iowa, we travel to North Carolina, where we join Nancy, a retired engineer, whose love for athletic travel adventures was curtailed by doctors’ orders to cut back on exercise after she suffered severe pain in her chest.  At first, Nancy thought she was having a heart attack, but to her surprise, she was diagnosed with Recurrent Pericarditis, a rare disease that affects the lining of the heart.  Today, thanks to life-saving advances, Nancy can continue to enjoy bike rides with her husband. 

Featuring renowned experts: Dr. Ericka P. Greene, Director of the Neuromuscular Clinic at Houston Methodist Stanley H. Appel, and Dr. Allan Klein, Director of Cardiovascular Imaging Research at the Cleveland Clinic.

Episode 504 – Rebels of Perseverance

In this episode of Medical Stories, we visit two extraordinary families who share their stories about their challenges with rare diseases, and how they persevered to find answers for their sick children. Chris, a young cattle rancher in Utah has a rare genetic disease called Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency or PKD, an enzyme deficiency that impacts red blood cells.

We will also meet Kira, a California teenager who has been diagnosed with Alagille syndrome, an inherited condition that results in liver damage. Their journeys are anything but ordinary. 

Featuring renowned experts: Dr. Rachael Grace, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, and Dr. Noelle Hanako Ebel, Clinical Associate Professor, Pediatrics at Stanford Medicine Children’s Health.

Episode 505 – Being Me

When your child says, “I just want to be a normal kid,” it can break your heart, open a new road of support, or both.

Fifteen-year-old Elena looks to educate the world and challenges them to face her to ask questions because she is ready with answers. Her mother says, “It’s a lot harder to bully someone when you know them.”  Children who grow up with disfigured faces are in a place of special challenges. This episode of Medical Stories follows two families who are dealing with children with Pik3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum Disorder also known as PROS. You will never forget these children and will want to know what becomes of them.

Featuring renowned experts: Dr. Adrienne M. Hammill, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, and Dr. Matthew R. Greives, Thomas D. Cronin Chair of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston

Episode 506 – Kicking Cancer

In this episode of Medical Stories, we meet Emily, a physician who cares for newborn babies. Emily was diagnosed with Melanoma, the most invasive skin cancer with the highest risk of death. Emily shares her story with the message that prevention and early treatment are critical in fighting the growing number of people who contract Melanoma.

We also travel to California where we meet Tim, a gregarious, fun-loving man who has spent his career creating special effects in the movies and in theme parks. Thirteen years ago, Tim was diagnosed with Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Tim says the diagnosis was very tough on both him and his wife but that it acted as a reminder of the need to live their lives as fully as they can, every single day. 

Featuring renowned experts: Dr. John Kirkwood, Distinguished Service Professor at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, and Dr. Tanya Siddiqi, Medical Director, Division of Lymphoma at City Of Hope.

Episode 507 – Clarity Road

Stephanie is a powerful figure recognized for her skills and contributions to the international human rights field. Her work has changed lives. Now she is counting on the work of medical scientists to change hers. Stephanie noticed discomfort and other symptoms while on vacation. This led to a devastating diagnosis of a very rare form of gastrointestinal cancer called Cholangiocarcinoma or bile duct cancer.

Today’s treatment opportunities are providing hope and encouragement. Stephanie is attacking her illness with everything that science has made available to her, along with positive determination and her deep commitment to how the mind affects the body.

Featuring renowned expert: Lipika Goyal, MD, Director of the Gastrointestinal Oncology Program at Stanford Cancer Institute