Inspiring Stories from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Patients.
Hear inspiring stories of hope, resilience and recovery from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi patients.
24 Dec 2019
A Patient Regains His Voice and Confidence After Undergoing Surgery and Rehabilitation
Hassan Al Hammadi began experiencing sudden changes to his voice that were impacting his work and quality of life. Hassan Al Hammadi, an engineer from Dubai, began experiencing changes to his voice that were impacting his work and quality of life. He recalls, “My voice changed quite suddenly, and it was difficult to control. It sounded like I had a sore throat all the time. This interfered with my work as I deliver speeches and make presentations as part of my job.” Following an endoscopic exam, Hassan was diagnosed with a large polyp on his right vocal fold. The vocal folds (vocal cords) are two bands of tissue located in the throat – the sound of your voice is produced when air from the lungs passes through them. An extremely delicate and precise surgical procedure was carried out to remove the polyp causing Hassan’s voice issues, and was followed by specialized speech and language rehabilitation therapy. Director of the Voice Clinic at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi,Dr. Anastasios Hantzakos, says, “We have developed a comprehensive approach to tackling voice disorders, which first removes the problem surgically, while providing follow-up with the surgeon and a specialized speech and language pathologist. This is essential for proper voice rehabilitation.” Explaining how the treatment has changed his quality of life for the better, Hassan says, “I work for the UAE Military, have a very active sports life and, as a jet ski marshal, I give instructions through a megaphone during races, so I need a strong voice. The therapy not only helped my voice, it also changed my whole approach to life and I will be forever grateful.”
Patient Stories
22 Dec 2022
Complex Case to Save Mother and Unborn Baby
Doctors describe Michelle’s case as nothing short of a miracle. In a critical condition – six months pregnant, with respiratory complications and in need of heart surgery – medical teams came together in a race to save her, and her unborn baby’s lives. Michelle, a 33-year-old mother of one, began suffering from a respiratory illness in early 2020. Her health began to deteriorate rapidly so she was taken to a maternity hospital where she was diagnosed with mitral valve stenosis – a life-threatening heart condition that required surgery. She was brought to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in a critical condition, unresponsive and in a coma. Michelle was six months pregnant with her second child at the time, making her situation even more worrying. Doctors describe Michelle’s case as one of the most complex they have ever seen. They knew that without treatment, Michelle, and her baby, only had a couple of hours to live. Due to her pregnancy, open surgery was not an option. With five medical teams accompanying her, including obstetric and pediatric teams from other hospitals, Michelle immediately had a minimally invasive catheterization to allow doctors to operate on her heart. For her safety, and that of her unborn child, her baby was delivered at the same time. Today, after going through on of the most complicated cases her medical teams had ever seen, Michelle and her baby boy - the first ever to be delivered at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi - are healthy and thriving.
13 Oct 2022
Cancer Patient’s Holistic Treatment Approach Helps Her Beat The Disease
Cancer patient Rana’s treatment journey not only addressed her medical care, but provided emotional support and lifestyle interventions, to ensure she fought the disease and is now healthier than ever. Rana was diagnosed with breast cancer following a routine mammogram, and immediately embarked on a year-long journey to fight the disease. The word ‘cancer’ came as a shock for the family and was initially difficult to accept. Her thoughts immediately turned to her daughters and whether she would see them graduate. The diagnosis hit her family hard. Rana began an intense treatment program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, with her family by her side. Inevitably, the chemotherapy and hormone treatments took their toll on Rana physically. But the psychological impact was also significant. She felt an immediate impact on her emotional health, feeling very down, upset, and unmotivated. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi takes a holistic approach to cancer care. Alongside the medical treatment that Rana was receiving, the team from the Preventive Medicine & Executive Health Program supported Rana address the psychological impact of the disease. The team addressed Rana’s mental health and discussed her feelings in-depth. Together, they explored ways to change her mindset so she could re-engage with her life and crucially, set achievable goals for her to work towards. The hospital’s Lifestyle Oncology Program worked with Rana to address lifestyle factors that could support her recovery, such as diet, exercise, and reducing stress. The program’s goal is to empower patients by giving them the tools that will not only help improve their health and prevent other lifestyle-related diseases from developing but to support the medical treatment they are receiving for their cancer and crucially, help prevent the cancer from returning. The holistic approach the team take to cancer care not only focuses on ensuring the patient’s medical and emotional needs are being supported by the doctors and nurses within the hospital, but they also assess support outside the clinical setting. The team works with family and friends of the patient to identify ways they can support – a very important part of improving the mental health of the patient. Rana has now completed her cancer treatment. She has improved her physical and mental health, as well as many other aspects of her life, and has come out of her treatment healthier than ever. She says “The entire team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi were an enormous support. They offered me comfort and power. Together, we took it step by step and we fought it. And I will continue to fight with all the power I have.”
01 Oct 2022
Elderly patient receives life-saving heart surgery
Abdel Rahman needed surgery to repair his aortic valve – a procedure which traditionally involved a major, open-heart operation with a significant risk to older patients. Thanks to advanced treatment options available at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, he was able to receive a low risk, minimally invasive treatment to repair the valve. Abdel Rahman, 85, was suffering from congestive heart failure, a life-threatening condition in which the aorta contracts. This causes the heart to enlarge as it resists pressure in the valve and eventually, the patient suffers a heart attack. Traditionally, open heart surgery is required to replace the valves and reduce the deadly pressure within the heart. However, in older patients like Abdel Rahman, such major surgery is extremely risky. Thanks to advances in technology in recent years, the team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi were able to perform a Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR). By inserting a catheter in the leg, no major chest incisions are needed, and the minimally invasive procedure carries much less risk to older patients. The painless procedure can also be done without a general anesthesia, further reducing the risk. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi have now performed over 300 TAVR procedures, with an extremely low risk of complications that are usually associated with traditional open-heart surgeries. Patients don’t require a long stay in hospital and recovery is usually very quick. Abdel Rahman’s TAVR procedure was a complete success. He was up and about within a few hours and was able to return home the next day. Abdel Rahman says, ‘I have been given a new life and I am thankful to God that this procedure was a success.’
22 Sep 2022
Patient finds hope following diagnosis of aggressive blood cancer
After diagnosis with an aggressive form of leukemia, Ilias was determined to not let cancer stop him doing anything. His optimistic and hopeful attitude amazed doctors and supported a positive response to his subsequent treatment. Ilias arrived at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Emergency Department after feeling unwell with a high fever, fatigue and experiencing night sweats. Tests revealed a very low blood cell count so further investigations were immediately ordered. Within 24 hours, Ilias was diagnosed with a fast-developing type of blood cancer called acute lymphoblastic leukemia. A multidisciplinary team met to discuss the best treatment plan for Ilias and it was decided that chemotherapy should start right away. The diagnosis came as a huge shock to Illias. He was alone in the UAE, with his family living overseas, and the psychological impact of such a diagnosis was significant. However, he made the immediate decision to switch into ‘survival mode’. With support from his medical teams and knowing that he could begin treatment the very same day, he had hope. Ilias embarked on his treatment journey and received the latest internationally recognized medical treatment, as well as care from social workers, physical therapists, dieticians, and nurse educators. As someone who had always led an active and healthy lifestyle, working with rehabilitation specialists was an important part of Ilias’s treatment journey. He amazed doctors by having chemotherapy in the morning, then exercising in the afternoons. Not only does exercise support the psychological side effects of a cancer diagnosis, it has also been proven to improve a patient’s response to treatment and overall outcome. Ilias’s positive response has been exemplary and his is responding well to treatment. Ilias says, “In every dark moment comes light – never lose hope. It took me less than 24 hours and a positive mindset to decide that cancer will not stop me.”
04 Aug 2021
Rare Cancer Surgery Allows Abu Dhabi Teacher to Get Back to School
Following the successful removal of three quarters of his liver during a very rare cancer surgery, Abu Dhabi teacher Dale is now heading back to school. Dale Yost is a 66-year-old Abu Dhabi resident who was diagnosed with gall bladder and bile duct cancer in 2020. He was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to undergo complex surgery to remove the cancer. A multidisciplinary team from the Digestive Disease Institute carried out a central hepatectomy to not only remove the bile ducts and gallbladder completely, but to also remove three quarters of Dale’s liver. Removing such a large amount of a patient’s liver is only done in rare circumstances – in this case it was necessary to save Dale’s life. Dr. Naveed Ahmed, a hepato-pancreatico-biliary surgeon in the Digestive Disease Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “Dale had a central tumor, which meant we had to remove a lot of his liver to prevent it from spreading further. While the liver is the only organ in the body that can regenerate, it is dependent on how much can be saved. In Dale’s case, although we removed a very large amount, we were able to preserve a healthy portion, and save the organ.” Following surgery, Dale’s liver-related tests show his liver has regrown to a normal size and is fully functioning. He is now undergoing chemotherapy to treat the cancer in his lymph nodes. The father of three and grandfather of 10, now plans to retire at the end of the year. He says, “My family wanted me to return home for treatment – but that would have meant I avoided seeing a doctor due to waiting times for appointment. The healthcare in Abu Dhabi, and Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in particular, is superior. You just walk in, and an integrated team of physicians, surgeons, dieticians, and wound care nurses are immediately by your side to aid your recovery.”
24 Jun 2021
Emirati Patient’s Multiple Sclerosis Finally Gets Diagnosed After Sister Insists on Second Opinion
An Emirati spent years living with undiagnosed Multiple Sclerosis (MS) until her sister’s insistence on a second opinion led to an effective treatment and a new lease of life. Ameena, a school administrator, did not know that she was living with MS. For almost a decade, she had been experiencing ongoing health issues and was struggling with organizational and clerical duties at work. After watching Ameena’s balance deteriorate to the point that she was unable to walk for more than 200 meters without assistance, her sister urged her to get a second opinion. Ameena saw the team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Multiple Sclerosis Program. Dr. Anu Jacob, Director of Multiple Sclerosis and Autoimmune Neurology at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, explains “Not every person with MS will have typical symptoms, which explains why Ameena was undiagnosed for so long. We regularly see patients who have delayed diagnosis as seemingly unrelated and bizarre health problems often confuse doctors. People need to be aware of the possibility of MS and we need to believe that multiple sclerosis is treatable and not a terminal illness. With careful history-taking and attention to detail, we concluded that Ameena may have MS, primarily in the spinal cord.” There are two stages of MS, namely relapsing and progressive. The relapsing stage lasts for many years and has effective treatment options, but in the progressive stage, the patient’s condition, especially mobility, gradually deteriorates and becomes more difficult to treat. Ameena’s long history of symptoms and gradual deterioration made progressive MS more likely. Ameena was offered a novel treatment, which is associated with potential side effects. The team carefully explained the benefits and she decided to try the treatment. Spurred on by her dream to visit Expo 2020 Dubai and cover all pavilions on foot, Ameena committed to her new regime. Ameena proudly fulfilled her Expo dream: “It was something else, to be able to walk without any support, any assistance. All of this has been made possible by the caring staff at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi” she says.
24 Jun 2021
MS Patient Uses Diagnosis as an Opportunity to Transform her Life
Multiple sclerosis (MS) patient Inken didn’t let her diagnosis have a negative impact on her outlook. Instead, she moved to Abu Dhabi and transformed her life into a holistic, happy, and healthy one. When Inken Stolley, a 41-year-old from Germany, was first diagnosed with MS in 2008, she didn’t know what to do. The diagnosis forced her to stop and reflect on the life she was living. But very quickly, she decided not to become a victim of the condition –she chose to use it as an opportunity to reset her life and make some positive changes. Inken was living in Germany at the time of her diagnosis, and whilst she was happy, she was working very hard and experiencing high stress levels. The MS diagnosis forced her to stop and reassess the impact her lifestyle was having on her health. As a result, in 2010, Inken made the decision to move to Abu Dhabi, in pursuit of a more balanced life, which she says was one of the best decisions she has ever made. Inken became a patient of the multidisciplinary Multiple Sclerosis team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Kelly Huffman, a Psychologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “MS is a complex condition and treatment requires a holistic approach, that not only addresses physical wellness, but also the emotional and cognitive needs of each individual patient.” Dr. Beatrice Benedetti, Staff Physician within the Neurology Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “For people living with MS, physical wellbeing and progression of the disease are critically dependent on a healthy and active lifestyle, along with looking after mental health and taking the right medication. Inken is an inspiring example for all MS patients – improving your lifestyle really can contribute to improving the condition. We always tell our patients that they should – and can – live a normal life.” Inken now runs her own business in Abu Dhabi, and thanks to her holistic, healthier lifestyle, keeps her symptoms under control. She has become an MS Hope Ambassador and dedicates time to connecting with MS patients from all over the world, helping them to make the same transformation. Inken says, “I don’t want to be seen as a sick patient, nobody does. The team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi not only provides professional care, but care that comes from the heart, with a real connection to me as a person. MS is not an end – I am on a mission to spread the word about healthy living, and I want to encourage people to see this disease as a blessing and an opportunity to turn their lives around for the better.” Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi recently launched a dedicated MS website, offering practical advice for MS patients and their families.
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24 Jun 2021
14-Year-Old’s Life is Saved Thanks to Liver Donor
Ruqayya arrived at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in a coma and on life support. Without a liver transplant, doctors estimated that she had only hours to live. Ruqayya had a difficult childhood, suffering from complications with her liver. When she was 14, her condition worsened significantly, and she was hospitalized. Her liver began to fail, and she was put on life support. Her family feared that she would not survive. Ruqayya was airlifted to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and moved to the Intensive Care Unit where doctors feared that without a liver transplant, she had only hours to live. Doctors immediately began the search for a donor liver. Fortunately, a donor was found almost right away and after a very thorough assessment of the liver, it was deemed a match for Ruqayya. Ruqayya’s family were extremely fearful of the situation and the implications of having such a major operation. They had lost Ruqayya’s older sister to liver failure, but they put their trust in the hands of the doctors. Within less than 24 hours of her arrival at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, a liver transplant was performed from a deceased donor. The operation was very complex and as with many cases of acute liver failure, Ruqayya was at a high risk of complications from the anesthesia and from edema of the brain, which can lead to permanent brain damage. The multidisciplinary team from Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Transplant Program, supported by experts from the Anesthesiology, Digestive Diseases, and Gastroenterology & Hepatology Institutes, worked together to perform the operation. The transplant was a complete success. Ruqayya woke less than 48 hours after the surgery and her new liver was functioning properly and her other organs were all working well. Ruqayya recovered from the operation and today, thanks to the deceased donor, she is thriving. She must follow a schedule of medication to maintain a high level of immunosuppression and keep the liver healthy, but doctors expect her to live a long and normal life. Ruqayya’s mother says, “Thank God for the doctors who did their best and thank you to the liver donor.” The doctors from the Transplant Center urge people to consider organ donation, as it really can save lives.
24 Jun 2021
14-Year-Old Becomes Youngest Patient to Receive Living Donor Liver Transplant
A young Sudanese boy has become Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s youngest ever recipient of a living donor liver transplant – a life-saving gift from his older brother. Montasir Elfatih Mohyeldin Taha, a 14-year-old boy from Sudan, was diagnosed with a chronic liver condition when he was a baby. From a very young age, the family knew that he would eventually need a liver transplant. Montasir was unwell for most of his childhood, but in early 2021, tests revealed he was starting to show signs of liver failure. Seeing how sick he was, and aware of the risk of potential complications from his condition, his doctors recommended that he undergo a liver transplant at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. Both Montasir’s mother and brother were identified as potential donor matches. Working closely with the transplant team at Cleveland Clinic in the US, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s multidisciplinary transplant team decided that his older brother was the most suitable match. The surgery was one of the most complex living donor transplant procedures that has been performed at the hospital. In total, the surgery took 10 hours to complete, and involved Montasir receiving a left lobe graft from his brother. Dr. Luis Campos, the Director of Liver Transplant and Hepatobiliary at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “Due to his young age, there were many challenges that impacted the surgery, after-care, and the dose of immunosuppressive medication. There is also a risk of other infectious complications in pediatric liver transplants that do not apply to adult surgeries.” The surgeries on both brothers were a complete success, and without complication. They are both now on their way to making full recoveries. Khalifa, Montasir’s older brother, says of the donation, “My brother needed me – it was one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. Seeing that his body has accepted the donor is such a joy, and I want to thank the team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for saving my brother’s life. I hope more people consider donating organs as the feeling you get, knowing that you can help someone live a normal life, is incomparable.”
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