Morning Medical Update

When firefighter Chris Carleton needed prostate cancer treatment, he wasn't afraid to travel for expert care. His journey took him from rural Washington to Kansas City, Kansas. Hear about his journey and the difference a specialist can make.

When a stroke leaves your hands and arms weak, simply getting dressed can be a challenge. Now there's a new way to rewire the brain and rebuild confidence. We learn about the special implant that boosts the power of rehab. Learn who may benefit from a first-in-the-region option for stroke survivors.

Rebha Chalise's doctors thought she suffered a stroke in high school. Turns out, her own immune system was attacking her brain. Hear about her years-long path to a proper diagnosis and the life-changing treatment that finally lets her hold down a job and live independently.

What would you do to prevent cancer? Exercise more? Eat better? Quit smoking? For women, would you remove your breasts? We weigh the pros and cons of preventative mastectomies with an expert doctor and hear from a woman who made that tough choice.

Menopause shouldn't be a mystery, but even doctors say they have a lot to learn. Best-selling author Dr. Mary Claire Haver shares the insights from her latest book and joins expert physicians to unpack the challenges, triumphs, and critical health advice every woman needs.

From hopeless to remission. CAR T-Cell Therapy is transforming outcomes for certain blood and marrow cancers. The modified immune cells turning the tide against multiple myeloma. We catch up with a survivor two years after his treatment.

A cancer diagnosis impacts the whole family. How should parents break the news to their kids? From treatment, to genetics, to end-of-life plans. We hear how one survivor tackled the tough conversations.

Mikayla Stover knows the odds. She is more likely to develop breast cancer but she's not just waiting for a diagnosis, she's taking action. The tools and tests available at a high-risk breast cancer clinic, helping women like Mikayla. Plus, how to know if you are at "high risk".

Candy, costumes, and cars--what really scares parents most about halloween? Join us for expert advice from doctors to ensure a safe and fun holiday.

Two sisters, diagnosed with breast cancer just days apart, faced different treatment plans. Hear their powerful message for women everywhere.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths world-wide it's also among the deadliest of cancers because it's caught late stage. Learn if you qualify for a low dose CT screening and how to get one.

Whitney Mayer was pregnant and fighting cancer at the same time. Learn how doctors worked together to save both mom and baby.

Treating breast cancer isn't just about the disease--it's about the whole person. Meet the cosmetologists helping women regain their confidence.

More movement, better memory! See the science-backed workout class empowering people with Alzheimer's and dementia. Why caretakers call it a lifeline.

Endometriosis has been called the mystery disease because it's painful, hard to diagnose, affects fertility, and can lead to cancer. Researchers are learning more about the disease. Hear how that knowledge is changing everything for one young woman. Guests include Dr. Austin Findley, gynecologic surgeon, at The University of Kansas Health System, and patient Abby Price.

Hear more about the use of AI in mammograms and how it is helping the future of healthcare. Guests include Onalisa Winblad, MD, director of breast imaging at The University of Kansas Cancer Center.

Four people in need, and four willing kidney donors. One giant effort connecting them all. An eight-person kidney chain. We meet the altruistic donor who brought seven others together to create a life-saving kidney chain.

Tracey Caton's routine mammogram likely saved her life. But it led to tough decisions to keep cancer from coming back. See how she charted a path to survivorship.

Mom and daughter, fighting different cancers at the same time. One cancer journey is hard enough, but see how these women lean on each other and their doctors, as they chart a path to survivorship.

Did you know BRCA mutations affect men too? Two brothers share their family journey through prostate cancer and how genetic risks can change lives. Don't miss this vital discussion!

They've been called "game-changers", "miracle drugs", "the answer to weight loss", but what are GLP-1 drugs really doing inside your body? Don't let side effects surprise you. Join us for a deep dive into their effects on your gut, heart, brain, and more.

David tried radiation; he tried hormone therapy, But when prostate cancer came back, David searched for a second opinion, and found a different path. From recurrent cancer to remission. Plus, the separate-but-simultaneous cancer journey happening in David’s own family.

Diagnosed with not one, but two cancers at the height of the covid pandemic, all while caring for a two-year-old grandchild. We ask Ava Neal where she found the strength to endure both breast and ovarian cancer.

When prostate cancer spreads, a new kind of treatment can seek it out and destroy it. The radioactive particle that doctors compare to a "heat seeking missile" providing a better life, with fewer side effects.

Tracey Edmondson could feel something wrong, but it took months to finally learn it was ovarian cancer. We look at Tracey's path to diagnosis and story of survival. Plus, the non-specific symptoms that should be on your radar.

Back to school, and back to stress. If your child was overwhelmed, or even suicidal, would you be able to tell? We have an open conversation bringing mental health to the forefront. Hear from two parents turning their loss into a new mission.

Five-year-old Jayduh's sore throat wasn't getting better. Her parents had no clue her airway was in danger of closing completely. The danger of untreated strep throat and Jayduh's road to recovery after an unexpected surgery.

Brain aneurysms lurk undetected, threatening to burst without showing symptoms. Once they do show symptoms, it's often a life-or-death emergency. The technique that lets doctors skip brain surgery, and "plug" the aneurysm before it bursts. Plus, one woman's close call, and quick recovery.

When it comes to your health, food can be both the problem and the treatment. We explore the culinary medicine movement and see what doctors are learning about food allergy awareness.

Some guidelines say every child needs their cholesterol tested by age 12, but new data shows 90% of kids don't get that test. We explore the pros and cons of universal lipid testing in kids.

Experts discuss how gender impacts a person’s heart, immune system, and bones. Guests include Dr. Kimberly Templeton, orthopedic surgeon & oncologist, The University of Kansas Health System; past president, American Medical Women’s Association; Dr. Leslie Spikes, pulmonologist & critical care physician; Dr. Shannon Hoos-Thompson, cardiologist; and Dr. Vincent Key, orthopedic surgeon.

When Randy Flenker stood up to a life or death diagnosis, a complete stranger was standing up, too. That person made a life-saving donation halfway around the world. He recently came to Kansas City to meet his new blood brother in person.

First his kidney, then his liver, then his heart! One by one, Tony Mazzeffe's organs were failing him. Tony's story of gratitude, and the complex treatments giving him more years with his daughters.

From radiation shields to OR ergonomics to mental health concerns unique to doctors; see what The University of Kansas Health System is doing to keep physicians from becoming patients.

Cushing's Disease can be treated, but only with the right doctor and diagnosis. We explore the barriers that make some patients endure years of symptoms before finding relief.

Open-heart surgery or a less invasive procedure? It's not always a simple choice. We follow one man's path from a second opinion to the OR.

Human excrement used as a treatment?! Meet someone who needed a fecal microbiota transplant to reset her gut's microbiome.

Summer heat comes with health concerns, and it doesn't even need to be sweltering hot before your body reacts. From the danger of hot cars to the medications that put us at higher risk of heat illness. Today we're focused on giving you valuable information to keep you and your loved ones safe this summer.

Cancer patients deserve an advocate, an ally, someone who knows what they need and even when they don't! We are shining a light on nurse navigators. See how compassion helps guide patients through a nerve-wracking time.

Zac Craig thought he had just torn his rotator cuff, but when pain persisted even after surgery the competitive strongman learned he had a rare cancer requiring a rare treatment. Curing cancer by replacing a shoulder blade, how Zac left his doctors in awe at his very first follow-up.

Untreated sleep apnea can rob you of energy, brainpower, and possibly your life. Meet one young doctor who recognized a problem and is grateful he went through a sleep study.

Migraine can make you miss out on so much of life, but the treatment landscape is changing. Hear what's changed for one long-time sufferer since she started taking a newer CGRP drug.

CAR-T cell therapy is no longer a "last-ditch" treatment. We discuss the recent approval for earlier use with Multiple Myeloma, and meet someone who says they're alive today because they could access the treatment.

Seeing a doctor doesn't mean you're weak. Seeking help has nothing to do with masculinity. Join us for an important discussion aimed at ending the stigma surrounding men's health.

Stroke recovery requires dedication, hope, and a strong support system. Meet one survivor who is trying not to let her stroke deficits define her life.

Stacey Lubrecht's life turned upside down in a matter of days. Hear what sent her toddler into kidney failure, plus the sacrifice needed to save the little girl's life.

Join us as we celebrate women's health awareness month by shining a light on problems in maternal health, advances in mammogram technology, and barriers to weight management care.

Joint pain and arthritis make everyday tasks more challenging. We follow one patient into a shoulder surgery to see how surgeons restore cartilage and eliminate pain.

Skin cancer is rarely "one-and-done". Patient Kevin Shea needed surgery, more than a decade after his original diagnosis! Surviving melanoma, how doctors keep tabs on where the cancer may spread.

Gestational diabetes, a condition that often has no symptoms, catching pregnant women by surprise, and putting their babies at risk. We look at the danger for both mother and baby. Plus, how experts teach expecting moms to protect their metabolic health.

Little Dallas was one of our smallest patients, with some of the biggest needs. Why not put all her specialists, scans, and check-ups into one visit? We check in on our Neonatal Medical Home, celebrating 11 years and making life better for babies and their parents, adding simplicity to a complex and scary time.

Jermaine has no clue that blood was getting stuck in his head, until the day he suffered a stroke. The rush to get him to the best possible stroke care, plus the defect in his arteries that put him at risk.

Ken O'Brien noticed food wasn't going down like it used to. Telling his doctor about it helped save his life. We learn why cancer in the esophagus is so hard to spot early and who needs a regular screening.

The president of K-State turned to The University of Kansas Health System for his cancer care. The treatment that took Richard Linton away from Manhattan and the tremendous support that helped get him back home.

A kidney transplant recipient from The University of Kansas Health System saw a story about a little girl who got scammed out of Taylor Swift tickets. He also saw she was in the hospital suffering from the same disease as him. He was moved to buy her the tickets himself to give her some joy.

The first ever test that catches Parkinson's early before symptoms appear giving patients the chance to start treatment early. What needs to happen before the breakthrough becomes standard, plus weight loss drugs tested as a Parkinson's treatment.

Removing part of his tongue and then rebuilding a new one! The warning signs that helped this firefighter catch oral cancer early, plus the techniques that help him speak again.

Robin Love's breast cancer had no FDA-approved treatment. 17 years later, she says access to a clinical trial saved her life. How an innovative treatment and a doctor-slash-scientist got robin from diagnosis to survivorship.

Scott Seetin was one step away from donating a kidney, then he found he needed a transplant just as urgently. The second chance that Scott calls his "second life" and using art to pay it forward.

From genetic testing to weight loss and even vaccines, the best way to fight cancer is to prevent it in the first place. Hear what physicians and researchers are doing to keep cancer rates trending down.

New season, new stadium, new healthcare provider! What does it mean to care for the Kansas City Current? Meet the doctors helping make right now the best time to be a female athlete.

It looks strange, but doctors say this is the best way to measure your metabolism. The bubble measures resting metabolic rate that helps you reach nutrition, weight loss, and overall health goals. Plus, the specific benefit for female athletes.

Emma stiles knows what it takes to compete, but when the collegiate diver switched sports, her body needed to switch too. How this athlete found the knowledge and support she needed to stay competitive on the national stage.

Psychedelic drugs could revolutionize psychiatry when they're in the right hands. Shaking off the "party drug" stereotype. How psychedelics can change brains for the better.

A breast cancer diagnosis couldn't shake Lisa Weatherspoon’s faith. Hear why she wanted to avoid chemo at all costs. How she balances her faith with hope and science.

Hearing aids down the hatch, and they didn't come out on their own! The mixup that sent one woman into emergency surgery. Where the hearing aids got stuck and what else she swallowed besides her pills!

When you train like a pro, you play like a pro. Meet a college football player bouncing back from a core muscle injury. The special surgery and the rigorous exercise that has him recovering from an often-misunderstood problem.

It's tough to talk about Alzheimer's, but we shouldn't shy away from such important conversations. We hear from a caregiver, and get and update on the newest Alzheimer's drugs.

Stroke care is improving. But can it keep up with the aging population? The growing burden of stroke. See the enormous impact on caretakers and what needs to improve to better care for baby boomers.

4 years into the COVID Pandemic and this shared traumatic experience has changed us. The deaths, the division and the uncertainty are still taking a toll mental health. Experts call it a collective trauma facing society.

Countless creams, gels and drugs promise to reverse the effects of menopause. Now doctors have a laser in their toolbox the five-minute treatment promising less dryness and pain.

Oncologists are calling it an epidemic people in their 20s and 30s, getting colon cancer. No one knows exactly why. The first warning signs that tipped off one survivor plus when it makes sense to request a colonoscopy.

Caffeine is a drug and whether we admit it or not, most Americans are addicted. How does your coffee habit impact your gut your heart and your sleep? Plus, the deadly effects of concentrated caffeine.

Carpal tunnel syndrome, leave it for too long, and it can lead to permanent damage, but several new surgical techniques offer relief. See how ultrasound leads to less pain, faster recovery and allows patients to stay awake and watch surgeons do the work.

Priscilla Brittine's DNA predicted her chances of getting cancer and it wasn't good. So, she took action, before ever getting a diagnosis. The decision to remove her breasts and stomach. And the dire story her genetics foretold.

A farm accident cost Conor Cox his hand. But "bionic" technology is letting him drive his tractor, feed his cows, and provide for his family again. We look at the special surgery that lets Conor’s own muscles communicate with his bionic hand.

It's one thing to find a tumor. Fully understanding it is another. When Allison Lackey got a second opinion, that understanding completely changed her treatment. The importance of pathology, where subtle distinctions can mean the difference between life and death.

Mila Ellsworth had two different types of cancer in a single breast and understanding the nuance meant everything for her treatment. How genetic testing guided treatment. Plus, how her great fitness limited her options for breast reconstruction. 

Micah Rainey watched his dad endure leukemia until Micah learned he could be part of the cure. What the high schooler had to sacrifice to make a life-saving donation. Visit our website, www.kansashealthsystem.com or findadoctor.kansashealthsystem.com.

Vaping can hurt your lungs, your blood vessels, even your stress levels and too many teens don't appreciate the risks. Meet researchers who see the first-hand effects of vaping and hear what it's like to be addicted.

More people than ever are surviving pancreatic cancer, but it remains one of the most challenging cancers to diagnose and treat. We learn what helped one survivor beat the odds.

Grace Lindsey never stopped searching for a solution to her seizures... until she found a team of specialists. The surgical solution offered by doctors... and the methods used to pinpoint the source of her seizures.

Happy Red Friday! We are dedicating today's program to the Kansas City Chiefs and the staff at The University of Kansas Health System keeping the players and all of Chiefs Kingdom in good health.

Waiting for a new kidney sapped Amy Reinhardt's energy, but it never shook the 27-year-old's faith. How Amy connected to a community of patients just like her and learned to endure life on the transplant list.

Head and neck cancers are on the rise, and doctors often know it's there, even if they can't see a tumor. This morning, we look at how oncologists decide between starting treatment, or searching for the cancer's source.

Courtney Walker was trying to cherish everyday despite looming kidney failure. See how a social media post finally helped convince an acquaintance to step up and be a donor.

A change of body requires a change of mind. Meet one woman who lost hundreds of extra pounds, but had to gain mental fortitude to keep the weight off.

When Anne Holzbeierlein learned she had leukemia, she had a great ally in her corner, in more ways than one. Her son Jeff is an accomplished oncologist here at the University of Kansas Health System. But even he ended up getting some guidance from his colleagues. Today we're learning how Anne got the life-saving treatment she needed, even if her bone marrow donor wasn't a 100 percent match.

Arctic air, plunging the Midwest into freezing temperatures. How to stay safe during this dangerous cold snap, especially for the football diehards bundling up for Arrowhead.

Cervical cancer, a silent threat that often goes unnoticed until it's too late. One survivor and her doctor describe the early warning signs, and the plan to put her into remission.