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Patient with a Rare Spine Tumor has Successful Resection Surgery at UNC Health

April 17, 2024
Devinder describes her mother, Bhupinder, as fairly healthy and very active. But in September of 2022, Bhupinder started to notice numbness and tingling in her legs. She then developed frequent and intense cramps to her lower body. Her symptoms made it difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep, or sit...

Patient’s Symptoms Dismissed as Signs of “Aging” Turned out to be a Pituitary Tumor

March 13, 2024
“I want individuals of color to realize that an endocrinologist can help with some of these issues.” Joyce runs a nonprofit, Bridging the Gap CDC, in North Carolina that aims to connect resources with individuals who are in need. She’s also a wife, mother, and grandmother that loves to garden...

Teenager Diagnosed with Progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Finds Care at UNC Health

October 20, 2023
“I’m in love with my back. When I saw the x-rays I was so emotional.” Niasia first noticed her daughter Dwane was standing “funny” at a waterpark when she was 12-years-old. Niasia noted that her daughter was standing with one shoulder raised. “We looked at her back and it looked...

“I don’t Feel Normal” – The Diagnosis of a Pituitary Tumor & Cushing’s Disease

October 10, 2023
“I have a 28-year-old daughter with a pituitary tumor and Cushing’s disease and I need you to operate on her.” Lydia, a 28-year-old Florida resident, wife, and mother of two, first noticed a drastic increase in her weight around Easter of 2022 in a family photo. She was shocked by...

Finding the Right Brain Tumor Surgeon – UNC Health

September 6, 2023
After multiple opinions, Asa chose to come to UNC Health to see cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgeon Dr. Carlos David for his brain tumor surgery. Asa struggled with cervical spine issues from playing high school football. He started seeing an orthopedic surgeon, and discovered after imaging that he had a...

Ukrainian Refugee Seeks Brain Tumor Treatment at UNC Health

July 27, 2023
“I am happy that I am in the USA where I can meet good people and doctors, have good treatment, and good results.” Hanna is a Ukrainian refugee who came to the United States in September of 2022 as part of the United for Ukrainians program. Hanna was living in...

Patient Diagnosed with Cushing’s Disease Travels to UNC Health for Surgery

April 20, 2023
Janet felt sick for three years before finally receiving a proper diagnosis.  As a yoga instructor, Janet (name has been changed for privacy) had always maintained a healthy lifestyle. So when she  started to gain weight and noticed a drastic decrease in her energy levels, she knew something wasn’t right....

Pituitary Tumor Surgery Saves High School Football Coach

April 10, 2023
Georgia high school football coach, Coach Anthony Lotti, struggled with fatigue and other symptoms that made it difficult to coach his team. After being diagnosed with a pituitary tumor, he traveled to UNC Health to have it removed by world-renowned pituitary tumor neurosurgeon, Dr. Nelson Oyesiku.

Pediatric Epilepsy Patient Enjoys Seizure-Free Life After Epilepsy Surgery at UNC Health

March 26, 2023
Coryzma experienced seizures for years before receiving a diagnosis. She described her seizures as feeling like déjà vu and at one point, Coryzma was having about five seizures a day, many times blacking out completely. Finally in seventh grade, Coryzma was diagnosed with epilepsy. Coryzma’s mother, Christina, chose to go...

Brain Tumor Patient Story – Kristina Lollar

July 6, 2021
Since she was 11 years old, Kristina Lollar had experienced migraines, yet it was not until the past year that it became more severe. This prompted Kristina to visit a neurologist who recommended they perform an updated MRI. When looking at the scans, they discovered a brain tumor wrapped around...