Feature

Life can be full of unexpected situations. One day, everything seems normal, and we're just going about our daily routines without a care in the world. We often get so caught up in these routines that we never stop to think about what we would do if our world was suddenly turned upside down and the life we're used to living spiraled out of our control. When these unexpected events do occur, we are faced with either being consumed by the situation or finding the strength to keep living. 

Faith Barber, a JPS Health Network patient, has faced a fair share of adversity in her young life. At only eighteen years old, she was diagnosed with a prolactinoma. A prolactinoma is a noncancerous tumor of the pituitary gland that often poses symptoms comparable to those of a woman who is pregnant.

Barber was able to manage her symptoms for a couple of years, but in 2021, she noticed a rapid decline in her health. A common symptom of prolactinoma is the production of breast milk, but Barber realized that her lactation mainly consisted of blood.

Living with sickle cell anemia is challenging. Some days are better than others, but there are also days when a person with sickle cell anemia experiences excruciating pain due to blocked blood flow or extreme fatigue that affects their ability to complete daily tasks.

Despite the difficulties of living with sickle cell anemia, there are steps individuals can take to maintain their quality of life. We interviewed Oncology Nurse Practitioner Ludmila Kosmari to better understand the condition and learn how patients can still live their lives to the fullest.

Dr. Nnyekaa Collins, MD is a geriatric medicine physician at Magnolia Health center. She spends time caring for our geriatric population and promoting healthy aging.

Tips for healthy aging with Dr. Collins

With each passing day, we are all growing older. We watch the people around us age and possibly find discomfort in the idea that someday we will be considered "old" too. However, growing older is not equal to thoughts of illness, limitations, or isolation.

Nathan Langlitz, JPS Health Network Peer Support Specialist, knows what it means to find comfort in vulnerability. Langlitz spends time on the floors of Trinity Springs Pavilion, sharing his story about the behavioral health struggles he has lived through and what recovery looked like for him. He hopes that his story encourages others to feel a sense of camaraderie in the battle.

Season 5: Episode 8 Show Notes

As we grow older, take on professional careers, and leave behind the comfort of home, sometimes we may find ourselves searching to fill a void. We immerse ourselves in comfort and security, but sometimes, we just need to be with family.

Richard is a surname familiar to many patients and team members across JPS Health Network. You may know the name from your primary care physician, an emergency visit, or even an interaction with our sports medicine team. The familiarity of this name results from a small family embedded amid our larger JPS family.

Imagine spending almost a year in the hospital with little to no hope of ever living the life you once lived. You're confined to a hospital bed in one room, unable to move, and your independence is limited. Would you keep fighting? For Jody Benngingfield, this was his reality. He transitioned from living a normal life to fighting for his life, and he expresses gratitude to JPS Health Network for helping him reclaim his life.

Season 5: Episode 7 Show Notes

Season 5: Episode 6 Show Notes