MEDICAL STORIES - CONTENT LIBRARY
MEDICAL STORIES is an acclaimed docuseries that takes viewers on an emotional and inspirational journey through powerful cinematic storytelling, as the lens focuses on ordinary people going through extraordinary measures of courage and triumph, diagnosed with challenging conditions, featuring renowned medical experts and researchers.
Interested in Medical Stories? Contact us at: producers@medicalstories.tv
Breast Cancer: Aubrey’s Story
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At the age of 37, Aubrey, was a new bride living her dreams as the busy mother of a toddler with a bright future ahead for her family. She was barely home from her honeymoon when she learned the crushing news that she had an aggressive type of breast cancer at a young age.
Glioblastoma: Josiah’s Story
(204S) TRT: 11:53
When Josiah began suffering headaches out of nowhere, the timing could not have been worse. His wedding to his college sweetheart, Lauren, was just a month away. The visit to the neurosurgeon changed their lives but not their plans to marry. With a diagnosis of a brain tumor, the couple went ahead with their wedding three days before his surgery. Then they learned the diagnosis was Glioblastoma multiforme or GBM, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Hereditary Amyloidosis: Dylan’s Story
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A compelling story of a young graphic artist named Dylan Duncan who is dealing with a rare and fatal genetic disease called Hereditary Amyloidosis, a disease that he watched kill his mother and aunt when he was a teenager. We will see how his life has dramatically changed from a certain death sentence with devastating symptoms and diminishing quality, to one of renewed hope and greater longevity.
Hidradenitis Suppurative: Sandra’s Story
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Explores the little known disease called Hidradenitis Suppurativa, or HS, which causes an estimated 1% of Americans to suffer from large and extremely painful boils that break out on their bodies and are so excruciating – both physically and mentally – that people with HS are twice as likely to commit suicide. Sandra, a mother of two who inherited the disease explains what it’s like to live with this incurable condition and how support groups like “Hope for HS” provide a much-needed sense of vindication, optimism, and hope.
Epilepsy: Joshua & Maya’s Story
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70% of kids with Epilepsy respond favorably to their first medication. Joshua and Maya are among those kids who didn’t and instead have lived their whole lives with multiple seizures almost every single day since infancy, as well as the powerful side effects of their many medications.
Multiple Sclerosis: Out of Mind
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Multiple Sclerosis has often been called the disease of young white women, but new studies have produced some startling information about the previously unrecognized impact of MS on African Americans. In this episode of Medical Stories, we follow two extraordinary people through their challenges in coping with MS.
NMOSD: Blindsided Within
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A rare autoimmune disease called Neuromyelitis Optica or NMO can cause permanent sight loss and paralysis and is often misdiagnosed because the symptoms can resemble Multiple Sclerosis. Misdiagnosis can be devastating because treatment with the wrong drugs can rapidly worsen the symptoms. Fortunately, a blood test to identify a particular antibody that will confirm NMO has revolutionized the diagnosis process. Three extraordinary people share their stories of hope and success.
PH1: Bonded Hope
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A family in Utah spends every possible minute they can outdoors, enjoying nature together and testing themselves physically. They are a family bonded in hope, overcoming the tremendous challenges of a rare genetic disease called Primary Hyperoxaluria Type 1 where liver malfunction causes severe damage to the kidneys and can lead to the need for liver and kidney transplants. Three of the four children in the family have PH1.
Cushing’s Disease: Alyssa’s Story
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Alyssa is a busy wife and mother who finally found the time and space in her life to train as a triathlete. Everything went well until her body started to rebel. She and her doctors were mystified when her exercise was derailed by fatigue, unusual aches, and worst of all, a significant weight gain despite careful eating and loads of exercise. When she saw she was burning more calories than she was consuming she became her own medical sleuth. Through the process of elimination and revealing testing, she was finally diagnosed. Today Alyssa is back to her demanding athletic training and managing very well despite having Cushing’s Disease.
Hemophilia: Ben’s Story
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Ben Shuldiner learned very early in life that Hemophilia, a hereditary bleeding disorder, he inherited, where blood cannot properly clot to control bleeding, could either define him or that he could rise to another level and define himself. He chose the latter and forty-plus years later, the Magna Cum Laude graduate of Harvard and youngest school principal in New York history is living an amazing life while experiencing firsthand the enormous progress in the treatment of this extremely serious disease – from his early childhood when HIV/AIDS tainted blood products meant he would only receive treatment for his Hemophilia.
NF1: Aubrie’s Story
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Aubrey is a little girl with a remarkably poised outlook on the world despite the disfiguring medical condition she inherited. She has Neurofibromatosis Type 1, also known as NF1. It is a very rare autoimmune disorder but is unfortunately common in Aubrey’s family, affecting many of the women she is related to. All Aubrie wants is for people to ask her questions instead of staring at her.
Melanoma: Emily’s Story
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Emily, a physician who cares for newborn babies. Emily was diagnosed with BRAF positive stage III Melanoma. Emily shares her story with the message that prevention and early treatment are critical in the fight against Melanoma, and how novel therapies are helping to keep her disease at bay.
Narcolepsy: Carol’s Story
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Carol’s battle with sleepiness and hallucinations started when she was a teenager and remained a medical mystery for decades despite numerous trips to many different doctors. Her condition impacted every aspect of her life, socially, as a wife and mother, and in the work, she chose to do. When she was finally diagnosed with narcolepsy, she and her family felt the relief that comes with learning the specifics of narcolepsy and how to best manage it.
CKD: B.T.’s Story
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B.T. Washington retired from United States Air-force after thirty years of serving his country. A true hero with a big heart, he spent more time in his retirement volunteering to help others, than himself. He knew he had a kidney problem, but he avoided dealing with how serious it was until he had a crisis. Together with his wife, Gemma, B.T. took up the challenge to wage war against chronic kidney disease while continuing to enjoy his life with his antique cars, prized hens, and his love for Motown music.
Spinal Cord Injury: Brooke’s Story
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Designer Brooke Thabit has an easy smile and an uncommon determination to live life to the fullest. An avid surfer as a teenager, her first love was the ocean. Today her dream is to design homes to suit the needs of people in wheelchairs. It’s a life she knows a great deal about. Everything changed for Brooke one night when she dove into shallow water and suffered injuries that caused her to lose the use of her arms and her legs.
Multiple Myeloma: Kenny’s Story
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Kenny’s friends considered him the healthiest guy in the room and were shocked when the long-distance runner learned he had Multiple Myeloma. See how Kenny finds the strength to go the distance.
Gastric Cancer: Pam’s Story
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Pam had healthy eating and daily yoga practice at the center of her life when she began her battle with gastric cancer. See how Pam found the strength to go the distance.
Ovarian Cancer: Kim’s Story
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According to the American Cancer Society, a woman’s risk of getting ovarian cancer during her lifetime is about 1 in 78. In this special episode of Medical Stories, we meet Kim, a mother with stage four Ovarian Cancer. Battling with this life-changing experience, she demonstrates the strength it takes to overcome such a debilitating illness.
PKD: Chris’ Story
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Chris, a young cattle rancher in Utah was diagnosed with a rare genetic blood disorder with less than 50,000 diagnosed cases in the United States. Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency or PKD, is characterized by low levels of a crucial enzyme for healthy red blood cells. One of the most common complications of PK deficiency is iron overload, a devastating buildup of iron in vital organs, leading to multiple organ failure and death. Risking multiple organ failure was not an option for this family when their baby boy fell ill.
Alagille Syndrome: Kira’s Story
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Alagille syndrome is a very rare genetic condition occurring in 1 in 30,000 children that are born. When doctors discovered Kira’s serious liver issues, genetic testing led to her appropriate diagnosis with Alagille syndrome, and her family to seek clinical trials for aid with some of her most debilitating symptoms. With no cure, these disease-modifying therapies have the potential to change the lives of all who, like Kira, are affected with Alagille syndrome.
Fabry Disease: Melissa’s Story
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Fabry disease is a rare genetic condition affecting around 1 in 100,000 people. Prior to her diagnosis with this rare disease, Melissa was living her dream of serving in the United States Air Force when she fell deeply ill. After being threatened with a dishonorable discharge due to her failure to meet physical performance standards, she fought to learn what was happening in her body, ultimately receiving a hard-won diagnosis and an honorable discharge instead. Even though Melissa can no longer serve her country, her heroic determination to receive an accurate diagnosis, and protect her son, 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.
Bile Duct Cancer: Stephanie’s Story
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“If you look at me, no one thinks that I am a stage four cancer patient.” Stephanie, 52, 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, of which there are about 8,000 cases in the United States per year. Today 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.
CLL: Tim’s Story
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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 and his wife choose to strengthen their union, through the sensitive words “let’s make this the best thing that ever happened to us.”
Heart Transplant: Strong Hearted
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We travel into the world of heart transplants and follow two families through their nerve-wracking journeys. With mere months to live, both Glenn and Jordan went from being very sick to heart transplant recipients. Learn how they are doing today, and what they and their families went through when the call came with the news, “We have a heart for you”.
Mitral Valve Regurgitation: Georgia’s Story
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According to the National Institute of Health, Mitral Valve Regurgitation (MR) is the most common valvular abnormality worldwide, affecting over 2% of the total population. Rates of occurrence in the United States are growing. Referencing nationwide mortality data from the CDC, the University of Alabama has uncovered that MR is frequently seen in up to 10 percent of individuals more than 75 years of age, and is associated with a high risk of mortality due to cardiovascular causes. When Georgia, 59, was told she didn’t have long to live, her greatest fear was the time she would miss with her family. But through remarkable advancements in medical devices, her fears are now behind her.
Chronic Back Pain: Eric’s Story
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After serving our country in Iraq, veteran Eric came with a troubling issue with his back that seemed to worsen over time. Eventually the pain became so bad that it interfered with his ability to work. He saw a chiropractor which unfortunately did not produce improvements. Desperate to find a way out of the chronic back pain, Eric and his wife eventually did find the answers he needed. Today the family is thrilled to have Eric taking part in all of the activities he loves, including running.
PROS: Being Me
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Children who grow up with facial deformities face a unique set of challenges to overcome. PIC3CA-Related Overgrowth Spectrum, or PROS, is a group of disorders that result in overgrowth of some tissues in the body. Diagnosed with this exceptionally rare genetic condition, fifteen-year-old Ellena shoulders the burden with an inspiring, hopeful optimism. Though she has faced bullies and strange looks, she always uses the opportunity to encourage other children to ask her any question they want, because she is ready with answers. While Ellena’s family has made the choice to forgo treatment, another couple has decided to move forward with a novel treatment for their young son Adam, yielding great results.
CAD: LeeAnn’s Story
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Many people are surprised to learn that the number one cause of death in the U.S. is heart disease, and figures from the CDC show no slowdown. As many as 1 in 3 women die each year from cardiovascular disease or stroke — more than all cancers combined. – NIH Fortunately, medical science has provided new therapies in recent years that have changed the outcomes for many women who suffer from heart ailments. LeeAnn, 66, a lifelong New York resident who was diagnosed with Carotid Artery Disease or CAD.
Lung Cancer KRAS: Courage Over Cancer
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While there are early-detection screening tests for prostate cancer and breast cancer, there is still no early screening test for lung cancer. Yet, people fighting lung cancer like Chuck, a 60-year smoker, and Barbara who quit smoking over 40 years ago, have gained fresh hope through participating in clinical trials. Learn how precision medicine is making a difference in treating lung cancer by helping to create inhibitors to stop the cancer growth.
CPP: Growing Too Fast
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Every parent who guides a child going through puberty understands the daily challenges of changing bodies, growth spurts, and high emotions that can complicate tender relationships. It’s part of growing up and we do our best to help our children take it in stride. But what happens when your child hits puberty far earlier than expected? Perhaps as young as just five years of age? We look at the rare medical condition known as Central Precocious Puberty.
AMD: Nita’s Story
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Nita Gall, a craftswoman living her best possible retirement life in Florida while also suffering from Age-Related Macular Degeneration, or AMD, the leading cause of significant visual loss in people over 50 that impacts 10 million Americans and is now being treated with such effectiveness that doctors can preserve and sometimes even improve vision in many patients – and how early diagnosis can be the difference between seeing and blindness.
Chronic Migraine: Ellen’s Story
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Ellen, a wife and mother who shares her passion for the outdoors with her husband. She began suffering from Chronic Migraine. It all started shortly after her daughter was born. For several years migraines ruled her life and often interfered with her ability to get to work. She found it hard to explain because it happened so often and came to feel the sting of shame known so well to those who are familiar with migraine. People don’t always understand just how debilitating it is, she told us. Worst of all Ellen missed out on countless family times with when she was too ill to leave a dark bedroom. Happily, things are much better for Ellen today.
OAB: Denise’s Story
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A very significant portion of the population privately suffers from an urgent need to find a bathroom. The most common reason is known by doctors as Over Active Bladder or OAB. A second condition is fecal incontinence (FI). Some people have both. Like the majority of those familiar with an urgent need to go, Denise was too embarrassed to seek early treatment for her Over Active Bladder. Fortunately, there are many treatments available for both OAB and FI that have allowed a major improvement in the lives of countless people.
HAE: Lisa’s Story
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When she was 12, Lisa started suffering from mysterious swelling. Sometimes in her abdomen, often her hands or feet. The worst was when her face swelled, distorting her features. It was devastating, painful and often left her feeling upset and ashamed. The doctors were mystified. Only her mom understood her anguish because whatever this terrible thing was, her mother had it too. A life-threatening medical crisis finally led to the diagnosis of a rare disease called: hereditary angioedema, or HAE. With that came hope and treatment for both women. Today, Lisa is able to better control her HAE and enjoys a full and active life with her husband and young son.
PAD: Tomas’s Story
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Tomas, a retired welder, suffered for years from increasing pains in his legs. At first, he ignored them, thinking it was age related but as it became more difficult to walk, he went to his doctor. He was diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. Treatment followed but with little success. When he learned he was facing a double amputation, he was fortunate to find a leading PAD expert, who ultimately was able to save both of his legs.
ILD: Bob’s Story
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Bob Rawlins is a nonsmoker who lived an active and normal life without any type of breathing issues or illnesses, – that is until he came down with a devastating pulmonary condition seemingly out of the blue under a category called Interstitial Lung Disease. Bob suddenly and without any recognizable cause is having to live with Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis, a fatal condition that severely limits his oxygen intake, he, however, has found solace, better health, and renewed hope
ITP: Candace & Barbara’s Story
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Barbara was just a little girl when she first learned that it was very dangerous to suffer a bruise. She was told she was different from the other children and that she needed to be terribly careful at all times to not get hurt. Candace had weird markings on her legs that led to her being rushed to the ER with her life in the balance. Both Florida women share the same diagnosis: Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), a rare autoimmune disorder where blood does not clot normally. Today, both Barbara and Candace are at the forefront of providing support to other ITP patients.
Gout: Linda’s Story
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Linda is a happily married woman who thought everything in her life fit solidly into the “ordinary” category until she started having mysterious bouts of extraordinary pain. Unfortunately, her trips to the doctor resulted in little relief and her pain escalated to the point of causing disabling attacks. More doctor visits followed and the mystery was finally solved by a doctor who was able to correctly diagnose that Linda had gout. A successful process of determining the best course of treatment followed and today she is a much happier and much more comfortable person.