Finding the Answers

This six part series, a collaboration between the University Health Network and Rogers TV, takes an inside look at how six patients faced life threatening situations with the help of the medical team at University Health Network.

Each episode introduces us to a different patient. We learn a bit about the person, how their "illness" was treated and what future medical treatments there might be for this "ailment" at UHN.

Each show in the series centres on a different program grouping at UHN and the outstanding life saving techniques used by some of the world’s finest medical professionals. Advancements in the field of organ transplantation, lung cancer screening, cardiovascular diseases, neuroscience, diabetes and arthritis are highlighted.  The moving stories of six patients with these complex medical conditions are explored.  Viewers will share in their experiences, learning how they received a new lease on life through the ground-breaking research and unique treatments at UHN. 

Transplant Show:
Patient: Sara Murray
Age: 27
Diagnosis: Lungs destroyed by Cystic Fibrosis
Treatment: double lung transplant

27 year old Sara was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis at 3 months of age. Doctors thought she'd be lucky to live to be 5 years old. They told her parents to take her home and love her. UHN's Toronto General Hospital played a significant role in lung transplants. Performing the first successful single lung transplant in 1983, the first successful double lung transplant in 1986 and the first double lung transplant on a CF patient in 1988. This person is alive and well today.

Cancer:
Patient: Kathy Kernohan
Age: 60
Diagnosis: lung cancer
Treatment: early detection with CT scan and surgery

62 year old self employed business woman, former smoker and mother of two signed up for Early Lung Cancer Screening Study by chance. Happened to see a sign posted in her doctor's office, and thought "what the heck" I've got nothing to lose.

Heart:
Patient: Mike MacDonald
Age: 56
Diagnosis: dying of heart failure
Treatment: kept alive with mechanical heart until transplant

56 year old grandfather was given twenty four hours to live. Doctors placed him on the Transplant List for a donor heart, an LVAD left ventricular assist device  had to be implanted in order to keep Mike alive till a donor heart was available. Mike received the last LVAD on the shelf that day.

Neuroscience
Patient: Elliott Raphael
Age: 58
Diagnosis: complex brain aneurysm
Treatment: open brain surgery and embolizations (non invasive treatments)

Persistent headaches lead the 58 year old grandfather and small retail owner Elliott eventually to UHN's Toronto Western Hospital.

Upcoming Episodes Include...

Diabetes
Patient: Ante Duvnjak
Age: 28
Diagnosis: Type 1 diabetes since age 21
Treatment: insulin pump

Insulin pump has allowed 28 year old sports loving Ante to rollerblade to his job in downtown Toronto without stopping, something he couldn't do before the insulin pump.

Arthritis
Patient: Kristopher Vardy
Age: 18
Diagnosis: ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis at age 10
Treatment: new drug therapy

18 year old Kristopher is now able to run marathons with his dad. Previous to the medication he was bedridden most days.