I’m well because…you have been awesome to me. I am a diabetic. Dr. Malkani has been my endocrinologist for at least 12 years and has brought my diabetes under control. I also have Stiff Persons Syndrome, which only 350 people in the country have. It took five doctors, but finally Dr. Pertusi, who is no longer with UMass Memorial, found the problem, medicated it with diazepam and took away the incredible pain. I also see Dr. Moonis to keep an eye on my SPS, and Dr. Chopra maintains my physical condition for my SPS. My primary care, Dr. Bennet has been the most caring and supportive person for all my conditions, and your lab staff have been outstanding! I will never go to another facility other than UMass Memorial, unless recommended to do so. You have been awesome to me. Thank you! — Eric Miller
I’m well because… About a year ago I had finally gotten my GED after being bullied in high school. I got my permit and felt like everything was coming together for me. I know people say high school is tough, but I had been through so much that many times I tried to kill myself. It wasn't fair. But I finally was getting somewhere. I applied for a job and was very excited. My first job as a cashier at my local Wal-mart. Shortly after working there, I had started to have these bizarre episodes. For the longest time I thought it was just anxiety. I would get blurry vision, dizziness and feel like I was going to faint...and got very close many times. It got worse and worse and I started feeling like my life was going downhill again. I had to leave work twice because I was going to fall over. Water, sitting and lunch breaks, nothing seemed to help. I was getting discouraged. One day I had to be taken by ambulance from work, I was so embarrassed. Everything seemed fine and I was sent home. I left work for a short period and then returned. Nothing was resolved, but I needed to work! I kept having these “episodes” and finally my family said I just couldn't work anymore. I went to cardiologists, got blood work done, got everything you could imagine. Nothing. I spent the next five months doing nothing but trying to figure it out. I finally set up an appointment with a neurologist at UMass Memorial. Dr. Peter Novak ran many tests on me, including a tilt table test and others. He diagnosed me with something rare for my age: Cerebral Syncope. After eight months of having no job, I was finally given medication to help me and my condition and I can live again! I have been through so much for my age, and I can't imagine how I'd be where I am without Dr. Novak. He helped me become well again. Now I can stand for hours and not fall over, and that is always a good feeling! :) — D.W.
I will forever be thankful‌ I have a seizure disorder (grand mal) that I've lived with for over 20 years. The doctor I was seeing wasn't very proactive, and I got worse over time. My primary doctor finally said that if I had another seizure, I might not make it, because serious damage was being done to my brain and my body. He sent me to UMass Memorial to their neurology team, who stopped the medications I was on and put me on medications that worked. I haven't had a seizure in over 12 years. I could have died if I had another bad seizure, but instead I am graduating from college and getting back into the workforce after being on disability for a long time. I'm able to live fully, drive, watch my grandchildren grow up and spend time with my daughter. I will forever be thankful for my primary doctor, who belonged to UMass Memorial Medical group, and to the doctors at UMass Memorial hospital. — Sherry Monfils
#Imwellbecause‌UMass Memorial saves lives.
UMass Memorial saved my life when I had a stroke in July, 2014, and didn't stop their efforts there. They proceeded to do everything in their power to find out what was wrong with me. #Imwellbecause UMass Memorial saves lives. — Cassandra Holmes
I’m well because… I felt fatigued for years had a sleep study. I received my BiPAP machine and it’s like I have a new life. —Dawn Stebbins