We are well because…
The Taubert Family
The team of physicians at UMass Memorial has surpassed our expectations in every way! When my husband was diagnosed with a glioblastoma, a deadly brain tumor that has no known cures, we planned to do everything in our power to fight this awful disease. With our kids just one and four years old, we couldn't imagine how we would get through this. We began researching Boston hospitals and looking for the best surgeon we could find, since this was brain surgery! But after talking with Dr. Richard Moser, we knew we could stay right here “at home” and be treated for this horrible disease. Dr. Moser was amazing and his surgical skills clearly helped to save my husband’s life. (He also helped to get him into a clinical trial at Duke University that was studying how a vaccine could …
help prevent the tumor from recurring.) But the care didn't stop there: Anyone with cancer knows it's a team of providers who work together to care for the patient. The physicians who care for my husband—his PCP Dr. Steve Erban, Radiation Oncologist, Dr. T.J. Fitzgerald, Medical Oncologist Dr. William Walsh, Pulmonologist Dr. Richard Irwin, Dr. Wiley Hall in Critical Care—and the many, many nurses and caregivers who have coordinated to deliver the best care possible, have helped to keep him here to see his kids grow! It has been eight years and our kids are now ages nine and 12. Not only has he lived seven years longer than the 14 months they had initially given him, we have been able to go on vacations to Disney, Cape Cod, and many ski trips. The doctors are amazed when they hear my husband is skiing black diamond trails with his family. We are truly “well” because of all that UMass Memorial has provided to us over these past eight years. Thank you to all who care for us every day! —Sandy Taubert
I am well because‌ Dr. Weaver did major surgery on my back in April 2013. I had cadaver parts, artificial discs, screws, and rods put in my back. GREAT care and staff. I was supposed to be in the hospital five days and rehab a week or two. I was able to walk out the next day. I took it easy for four weeks and went back to work. I was horseback riding 11 months later. Thanks! —Lawrence Underwood
I am well because… I'm well because UMass Memorial saved my fiancé's life not once, but twice in a six-week period. On July 19, 2008, Paul suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm at home. He originally was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent Hospital and when doctors there realized what they were dealing with, they told me we had two options. One was to Life Flight Paul to Boston, or, if they could get the team they wanted at UMass Memorial, they'd prefer he went there. The only problem was that it was 4:00 am on a Sunday. Luckily, the doctor and the team they wanted agreed to come in, so Paul was transported to UMass Memorial and was put into the lifesaving hands of Dr. Ajay Wakhloo and his team. The surgery was a complete success and after 13 days in the hospital, Paul was sent home with no lasting damage. Then, August 31st came along. Paul went in for “routine” brain surgery, because when doctors coiled the first aneurysm they found a second one at the base of his brain. But, due to the damage already done, they wanted to give Paul’s brain time to heal before coiling the second. The second procedure was supposed to last just a few hours. After over five hours, Dr. Wakhloo came out to the waiting room with his team and explained to me that during the procedure, the aneurysm ruptured and Paul coded on the table. They were able to bring him back and he was on life support. As horrible a time as that was, Dr. Wakhloo stayed the entire night to keep an eye on Paul, and he wanted to be there in case any complications arose. Once again, Paul came through with no real side effects whatsoever and I honestly give Dr. Wakhloo and his amazing team all the credit. I can honestly say if it wasn't for him, I'd more than likely not have Paul with me today. —Margaret Gunter
I am well because…. …a wonderful team of doctors, Dr. John Weaver and Dr. Cathy Phillips, guided me through brain surgery to correct a seizure disorder that I had struggled with since I was born. I was having 100 to 120 seizures a day. I had broken almost every bone and had multiple concussions, and the medications that we tried were not working. The surgery was fairly new and the doctors were unsure of the repercussions that would be left, but after a lot of prayer and thought it was decided that my right temporal lobe would be removed. My family was warned that there may be many side effects and I could be out of work for up to a year and in Reagan depending on results after removing entire right temporal lobe. The doctors operated on November 13, 2000, and I went home on November 17, with no more seizures, no medications and no side effects. I went back to work full time within weeks. My memory got better, my energy level tripled and I don't require much sleep. It was the best thing that I ever did in my life. Thank you, John Weaver and Cathy Phillips, for giving me my life back. —Joyce Adalio- Hebert
I am well because… I am well now due to Dr . John Weaver, his staff, and all of the UMass Memorial employees who had anything to do with my spinal surgery, recovery, and care at UMass Memorial Medical Center. My back problems started around 1990 – 1991. As a courier/delivery driver, my job required me to carry large quantities of paper products and supplies up flights of stairs, or to push a loaded hand truck for several city blocks and then carry supplies up several flights of stairs. Needless to say, my back took quite a beating over the years. The end result was two completely disintegrated discs, along with spinal stenosis. By 2008 I could no longer stand or walk for more than a couple of minutes at a time, due to the pain being so excruciating. This left very little quality of life: I was no longer able to take weekend day trips with my wife and daughter, or go on outings to country fairs or shoreline fishing on the Thompson Dam Lake, or even work in my gardens. There were days that living didn't seem worth it, not like that. But then, I got lucky. Neurologist Dr. Grazyna Pomorska recognized my problem and sent me to see Dr. John Weaver. After many tests, X-rays and scans, on July 31, 2014, I entered UMass Memorial Medical Center and after a lengthy surgery and an overnight stay, I walked—let me repeat that, I walked—out of UMass Memorial a new man. I was whole again. I felt like a real person. I am well because of UMass Memorial Medical Center, and UMass Memorial Medical Group, and Dr . John Weaver. I am also well because of the pre-op nurses, Karen and Lisa; the post-op night shift nurse, Sarah; the day shift nurse, Morra; the physical therapist, Lindsey; the fourth floor (room 410A ) nurse, Courtney; the fourth floor housekeeper, Marie; the financial officer, Janelle; and I am sure a few more employees I do not remember or was not aware of at the time. Even though I am dealing with an overweight problem and cannot wait for spring so I can start walking in the yard, and hopefully start working in my gardens again, I am well, and I am whole because of all these people, and I'd like to express my sincere thankfulness for all their hard work and dedication. Thank You! —Raymond Leidemer