Patient Stories l Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

24 Jun 2021

Abu Dhabi Resident First in World to Undergo Innovative Heart Surgery Technique

Moussa Abd ElRaihim Elgohary becomes the first person in the world to be operated on using a new surgical technique that greatly reduces the risks associated with open heart surgery Moussa, a 52-year-old Abu Dhabi resident, was rushed to hospital with a suspected abdominal aortic aneurysm, which was putting him at risk of a ruptured aorta, a condition which is usually fatal. Traditional surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysms involves putting the patient on a heart-lung machine (or a cardiopulmonary bypass), which stops the flow of blood to the organs for a short time. The procedure must be done quickly and is associated with a significant risk of blood loss, and even death. In a global first, surgeons at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart, Vascular and Thoracic Institute performed a ‘modified branch-first’ surgical technique – a procedure that very few hospitals in the world are equipped to deal with, due to its complexity. To reduce the risk to Moussa’s life, a tube was plugged into the healthy part of the aorta, which circulated his own blood to the organs. This ensured minimal bleeding and the operating team did not have to rush through the surgery, as his organs received blood supply without interruption. Patients requiring this type of surgery are traditionally sent abroad, but thanks to the innovative technique, they can now be treated closer to home. Moussa recovered quickly from his surgery and is now back to doing the activities that he enjoys. He says, “I’m very grateful for being treated right here under the care of the talented doctors at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who made sure that there were no complications and I recovered fast.”

15 Jun 2021

Hunt for Extremely Rare Blood Type Goes Global

When Daina Bautista needed life-saving heart surgery, the hunt for a match to her extremely rare blood type had to go global. But when international reserves weren’t enough, the team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi turned to the complex ‘self-donation’ technique. It was in 2018 that Daina, a working mother from the Philippines who has lived in Abu Dhabi for more than 15 years, first began to suspect something was wrong. Her coughing fits were first diagnosed as asthma, but follow-up scans later revealed that three valves in her heart were damaged. By 2020, her condition had deteriorated significantly. Daina says, “At first, I was able to live my life as normal. I knew something was wrong, but I wanted to focus on my work and family. Eventually, I couldn’t walk for more than a few minutes without losing my breath and everyday tasks became very hard. I knew it was time to go back to the doctor and finally get my heart fixed.” Extremely rare blood type Daina was booked for surgery at an Abu Dhabi hospital, but it was cancelled at the last minute as they were unable to find a blood match for her. Blood reserves are an essential part of any surgery, and procedures cannot go ahead without them. Given the complication, her case was transferred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. The Transfusion Medicine Pathology team performed extensive testing on Daina’s blood, which revealed not only was she the rare type B+, found in around only 9% of the population, but she also lacked the JK3 protein – an extremely rare phenotype. Any potential donor had to match both her blood type, and lack that specific protein. Dr. Manuel Algora, a clinical pathologist and director of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s blood bank says, “As soon as we discovered that Daina’s blood lacked the JK3 protein, coupled with her uncommon blood type, something that is exceptionally rare, we began our search for donors within the UAE and abroad. For her life-saving surgery to take place, we would need at least six units of blood.” Searching for a blood-match Dr. Algora’s team began working with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank to find suitable donors, and also tested Daina’s relatives. A compatible donor was found in Abu Dhabi who could donate one of the six units needed for the surgery. However, as blood donors can only give blood every eight weeks, the team had to widen the search across the Gulf region, and as far afield as Malaysia and Spain. Eventually, two units of matching blood were found in Kuwait. While managing the logistics of importing the blood was underway, the team worked with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank to collect four units of blood from Daina herself. “Although we had a local donor, and two units coming from abroad, we still needed four more units to safely perform the surgery. Collecting that much blood from the local donor would have taken months. As Daina had strong hemoglobin we were able to administer treatment to boost her red blood cell production so that she could safely self-donate”, adds Dr. Algora. Under close medical supervision at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Infusion Center, Daina gave four units over a 3-week period so that the hospital would have enough blood and her surgery could go ahead. “Blood is the foundation of modern surgery. If we can’t replace blood lost during surgery, many simple surgeries we take for granted today simply could not happen. Even with minimally invasive surgery, it is vital that we have blood on hand to ensure patient safety. When I heard we had the blood needed to repair Daina’s heart valves I was thrilled. We could finally move ahead and get her back to living a full life,” says Dr. Umer Darr, the heart surgeon who led Daina’s surgery. Daina’s surgery finally took place, more than 3 months after it was initially scheduled. Although the search for blood had caused a significant delay, Daina made a swift recovery following her surgery and was discharged just over 2 weeks later. Daina says, “I am so grateful to Dr. Algora and Dr. Darr for everything they have done for me. Although it was stressful, I always felt safe and cared for at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi. I can hardly believe the effort everyone made to find the blood I needed. It has really opened my eyes to the importance of blood donation and what a beautiful gift it represents.” Dr. Algora adds, “This was a very difficult case and I’m very proud that we were able to come together as one team to arrange for the import of the blood Daina so desperately needed. Fortunately, we have a fantastic relationship with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, the Ministry of Health and Prevention, and the international blood transfusion community. When we spoke to colleagues in other countries, they understood the challenge and did everything they could to help. Without the support of our local and international partners, this could not have happened.” Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi holds regular blood donation events for its caregivers in partnership with Abu Dhabi Blood Bank, which collects hundreds of units of blood each year to offer life-saving care across the UAE.

15 Jun 2021

Remote Heart Monitoring Allows Abu Dhabi Heart Patient to Carry on With Her Life

For hundreds of Abu Dhabi’s cardiac patients, remote heart monitoring has allowed them to carry on with their lives, knowing they are in safe hands. Diana Barreto is a 52-year-old Abu Dhabi resident who benefitted enormously from the service. She lives with a pacemaker for arrythmia (atrial fibrillation or an irregular heartbeat). Her condition has prevented her from pursuing her passion, salsa dancing, due to the impact the strenuous activity has on her condition. But in 2020 she became one of more than 700 patients at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Heart and Vascular Institute whose heart conditions are being remotely monitored, 24 hours a day. A small device is implanted under a patient’s skin, which alerts the team to any abnormal findings and allows them to remotely monitor a patient’s response to therapy. During the peak of the pandemic, Diana suffered an arrhythmic episode, which the device detected, and her care team were immediately notified. Diana says, “It was a bit surprising at first to receive the call – the doctors knew exactly how I was feeling and asked me a series of questions before deciding that I needed to alter my medication dose and reduce my activity levels. Knowing they are closely monitoring my heartbeat, and if something goes wrong, they will catch it right away, makes me feel so safe and confident.” Dr. Khalid Bakr, an Associate Staff Physician in the Heart and Vascular Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “This has been a very beneficial tool for patients during the pandemic. Vulnerable patients can be assisted from the comfort of their home, and it allows us to monitor and assist those who may not need hospitalization, and instead provide medical advice remotely.” The technology can allow doctors to detect heart problems early on by analyzing data in real time, looking at long-term and short-term trends. In extreme cases, the team can also alert emergency services and potentially save a patient’s life.

13 Jun 2021

A Story Of Hope For A Young Ms Patient

Ahmed was at home, on a day like any other, when he noticed a tingling sensation in his arm. The unusual feeling continued for three days, but he assumed it wasn’t serious, and that it would go away on its own. After a few days, his parents took him to a local clinic where he was diagnosed with muscle strain. Yet despite taking medication, the tingling became worse. The family went to a different clinic, where the doctor performed an MRI. They were told that Ahmed had ‘MS’ but were offered no further explanation. Ahmed says, “When I was told I had MS, I was very scared because the doctor didn’t explain what it was. He didn’t even say it was Multiple Sclerosis. He just told me it could lead to death and I was terrified.” As soon as Ahmed received the worrying diagnosis, he isolated himself and the illness consumed all of his thoughts. He had always led a very active life, but as his condition began to deteriorate, he was unable to perform simple tasks like doing up buttons. The symptoms caused him to have a very negative outlook. Mohamed Al Hosani, Ahmed’s father, says, “As my only son, I had great plans for Ahmed’s future. After the initial diagnosis, our family were all greatly affected. I immediately knew that I wanted to take him to an advanced medical facility, possibly abroad, for answers. One of my friends recommended Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi – it was a relief to know that we didn’t have to travel, and we had access to such a facility here.” The family visited the Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi and met with Dr. Victoria Mifsud. Mohamed says, “from our first meeting with Dr. Mifsud, we felt relieved. Our first appointment was scheduled for 30 minutes – we stayed for 3 hours! She explained the condition in depth, and from that first meeting, we understood the disease and how we could deal with it.” MS is an extremely complex condition, in which our own immune system starts to attack the nerves cells within the brain and spinal cord. This affects their ability to send messages within the brain, and from the brain to the rest of the body properly. The team at the Neurological Institute performed another MRI and biopsy to get their own, accurate assessment of Ahmed’s condition, and to confirm his diagnosis. Due to his young age – he was still under 18 at the time – ensuring a balance of treatment that was effective, but also safe, was critical. Initially, nine different treatment options were offered, so the team could assess which would work best for Ahmed, with the least side effects. Dr. Mifsud says, “We began with steroids, and physical therapy, to help Ahmed regain function. Thankfully, over the coming months, he returned to almost completely normal. But this was just the short-term – we then needed to consider a long-term plan and medication that he can take on a regular basis, to prevent permanent nerve damage.” From the moment he began treatment, Ahmed became a different person. He trusted his team and his outlook on life completely changed. His confidence grew and he is now self-dependent again. He plans to finish his education, and one day, start his own business. His ultimate dream is to become a chef. Ahmed says, “With Dr. Mifsud and her team by my side, I was able to remove the idea of death from my mind, and the illness didn’t scare me anymore. The most important thing in life is health. Not money, or cars, or any other luxury. I want to thank everyone at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for all of their efforts and care.” The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Sheikha Salama Foundation, for their unlimited support towards the Multiple Sclerosis Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

12 Apr 2021

Artificial Pump Allows Weightlifter to Keep Training While Waiting for a Heart Transplant

A young weightlifter aims to show others that despite being diagnosed with heart disease, life can go on. Khaleel Al Herani, a 35-year-old Jordanian, was first diagnosed with advanced heart failure in 2018, and due to the seriousness of his condition, needed to receive a heart transplant. Whilst waiting for a transplant, Khaleel was fitted with an artificial heart pump that allowed him to continue to train as normal. Now, following a successful transplant at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, he wants to not only demonstrate to others that life can go on, but aims to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation and encourage young men to take better care of their health. It was in July 2018 that Khaleel first experienced pain in his chest. Tests revealed his heart was enlarged and he was advised to take a break from his training regime until further tests could be carried out. Khaleel says, “My doctor explained the issue and told me not to worry. What I didn’t realize at the time was that he was telling me I was in the early stages of heart failure. Four days after seeing the doctor, I felt like I was going crazy without the gym, so I went back to lifting. I ignored the whole thing and honestly, at that time, I felt fine.” Khaleel didn’t experience any further symptoms until the following year. His heart function suddenly began to decrease, and fluid built up on his lungs causing a pulmonary edema. Breathing became difficult and even walking up stairs made him uncomfortable. Khaleel says, “I avoided going to the doctor and didn’t connect my breathing issues with my heart condition. Then, one night I really struggled to breathe. My doctor referred me to a specialist, and it was only then that I remembered my previous heart episode and I became very scared.” Due to the seriousness of Khaleel’s condition, and his rapid deterioration, it soon became apparent that he was in urgent need of a heart transplant. He was referred to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s first and only multi-organ transplant center. Upon arrival, doctors determined that, due to the lack of donor hearts available, installing a left ventricular assistance devise (a pump), would greatly improve Khaleel’s condition while he waited for a transplant. Dr. Feras Bader, Director of the Heart Failure and Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi explains, “Khaleel came to us in desperate need of a transplant. Thanks to advances in technology, an artificial heart pump was able to give him a fantastic quality of life while we waited for a donor heart to become available.” Following the operation to fit the pump, Khaleel’s condition greatly improved. He was able to return to work and regular exercise once again. He continued to visit Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi regularly to manage his condition, and on visits that required him to stay overnight, he would even bring equipment so that he could work-out in his hospital room. “Khaleel really shatters the traditional image of a heart disease patient. When you look at him, you would never think he was a man with a heart problem. He is young, energetic, and looks like an athlete. Once the pump was fitted, we saw a total transformation in him” continues Dr. Bader. Then, during a routine hospital stay, Khaleel got news that would change his life again. A donor heart had become available that was a match for him. His care team leapt into action and immediately prepared him for surgery. Dr. Gurjyot Bajwa, Surgical Director of Mechanical Circulatory Support and Heart Transplantation at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, who led the surgery says, “The stars really aligned for Khaleel. He was about to be discharged when we got word that there was a heart available for him. In these situations, time is of the essence, so having him already in the hospital was fantastic. The surgery went very well, and I’m pleased to say he is making a fantastic recovery. Knowing Khaleel, I’m sure he will continue to go from strength to strength.” Reflecting on his recent health challenges, Khaleel is committed to starting a new chapter in his life and to set an example to other young men experiencing heart disease. Khaleel says, “I always thought I was invincible; I’m young and I’ve always kept in shape. It was very hard for me to accept my heart diagnosis. I’ve realized that opening up about health challenges is an important part of overcoming them. I hope that I can inspire people, especially men, to speak up around their health issues and to really consider organ donation. I think that can only be a positive step for my generation.” “I really want to thank the team at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, as meeting them really changed my mindset. When I think about life now, I’m just so grateful for everything that it has to offer. Sometimes challenges are put there for us to learn from and achieve something greater. That’s my plan now,” concludes Khaleel.

25 Mar 2021

Emergency Doctor Gets a Taste of His Own Medicine

A Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi doctor got a taste of his own medicine when he required urgent treatment for a collapsed lung. Dr. Harold Shim, who provides critical care to patients within the Emergency Department, found himself on the receiving end of the department’s life-saving care in October 2020, when a rare form of pneumonia caused his lung to collapse. Dr. Shim began to feel unwell towards the end of a busy shift. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi is a COVID-free hospital, but as a precautionary measure, he took a COVID-19 test, which came back negative. Suspecting it may be the flu, he went home to rest, but over the coming days he experienced a severe shortness of breath. Worried about his colleague, a few days later Dr. Jacques Kobersy, Chair of the Emergency Department called Dr. Shim to check on him. “When I told him about my symptoms, he told me to come in to get checked out. It was only then that I realized my condition was more serious than I thought. Luckily, I have tremendous faith in my colleagues, and I knew that our Emergency Department was the safest place I could be,” explains Dr. Shim. He underwent a number of tests and a bronchoscopy revealed eosinophilic pneumonia, a rare form of the disease. His condition improved initially, but a week later took a turn for the worse and following a coughing fit in the middle of the night, he returned to the Emergency Department. Dr. Ashley Alwood, a consultant in Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi’s Emergency Department explains, “Tests revealed that one of his lungs had collapsed. His chest cavity was full of air, putting pressure on his lungs and heart, a potentially life-threatening condition that needed immediate treatment.” A tube was inserted to relieve the pressure, re-inflate his lung, and to allow him to breathe normally. It soon became apparent that his lung wasn’t healing on its own, so he needed minimally invasive surgery to repair his lung. Dr. Redha Souilamas, Chair of Thoracic Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “Dr. Shim had developed rare and unusual complications from pneumonia. It was decided that a video-assisted, minimally invasive approach was the best way to treat his condition. Our team cared for Dr. Shim as a colleague, and a friend – the way we treat all our patients. Doctors often have a reputation for being challenging patients, but I’m pleased to say that Dr. Shim was a pleasure to treat.” Following successful surgery, Dr. Shim has returned home to regain his strength and looks forward to getting back to work with a fresh perspective on how it feels to be a patient. He concludes, “This has been an incredibly humbling experience. I’ve experienced how our patients feel when they come to us scared and sick, and seen how quickly the team respond and offer the highest level of care. I look forward to getting back to work and building this experience into our approach to treating our patients like they are our own family.”

03 Mar 2021

Life-Changing Surgery Allows Emirati Athlete to Follow His Olympic Dreams

An Emirati athlete who received life-changing surgery for a bowel condition is now able to pursue his Olympic dream. Mohammad Hassan is a UAE Olympic hopeful and all-round athletic superstar. Following surgery to remove his colon in 2020, he has been given a new lease of life to participate in the many sports and activities he enjoys. Mohammad was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 15 years ago. The chronic condition causes inflammation of the gut, and symptoms can include pain, persistent diarrhea, weight loss and fatigue. Many patients can control ulcerative colitis with medication, but for Mohammad, they didn’t work. He visited doctors all over the world in an effort to find a cure. Always an active sports enthusiast, Mohammad enjoyed all sports and represented the UAE in rugby. However, when his condition began to deteriorate, he was forced to give up the game he loved. Mohammad says, “I was really struggling – I was using the bathroom 15 to 20 times a day, which forced me to stop playing rugby. I didn’t want to let my team down, but the condition was controlling my life. I had to plan everything I did around having a toilet nearby.” Although his bowel condition forced him to give up rugby, it did set him on an entirely new path, and he discovered a passion for surfing – something he found easier to manage with his condition. He travelled the world competing in the World Surfing League and set his sights on representing the UAE at the Tokyo Olympic Games. It was at this stage that a friend, who also suffers from ulcerative colitis, suggested that Mohammad visit Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi to finally take control of his condition. The care team recommended a colonoscopy, as patients with ulcerative colitis are at a higher risk of developing cancer. Dr. Zaher Koutoubi, Consultant Gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi says, “A colonoscopy revealed pre-cancerous cells in Mohammad’s colon. Our multidisciplinary team, including surgeons and pathologists, met to discuss Mohammad’s case and explore all possible treatment options. It was established that he should be referred for a total colectomy to remove his colon. In addition to stopping the cancer in its tracks, this would effectively cure his colitis and eliminate his symptoms.” Following surgery, Mohammad was fitted with a stoma and ostomy bag, which his care team taught him how to use and care for as he recovered. Doctors plan two more surgeries in the future to restore his bowel function by constructing a ‘j-pouch’ that will eliminate his need for a bag altogether, allowing him to use the toilet normally again. Dr. Shafik Sidani, the colorectal surgeon who performed the surgery at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi said, “Because Mohammad’s surgery was performed using minimally invasive techniques, he was able to fly through his hospital stay and get back to his life – and sports challenges – very quickly. Patients are usually very reluctant to get a stoma, yet here’s Mohammad, proving you can not only live a normal life with one, but you can push athletic boundaries too! It’s inspiring.” Following his recovery, Mohammad was keen to rebuild his strength and confidence, and show the world that he could still lead an active life. He found a new sense of freedom, no longer having to plan activities around toilet facilities. He participated in the Dubai Fitness Challenge 2020, playing thirty different sports in thirty days, to prove that his ostomy bag wouldn’t hold him back. Mohammad says, “To be honest, I wish I’d done this surgery a long time ago. The last few months have been a rollercoaster and I have had to adapt to life with a stoma. I was worried I might have to give up playing sports, but I’m able to do things now that I could never do before. I want to show people there are plenty of sports you can do, whatever your ability level. I played underwater hockey, golf and even went freediving. No matter what, you can play any sport you want - even with a stoma. I’ve been quite emotional taking in this newfound freedom.” Mohammad is now planning his return to surfing and his road to the Tokyo Olympics. As he gets used to living with a stoma, he is keen to push his limits even further. His next opportunity will come at an international surfing competition in South America. “Not long ago, I was surfing 55-foot waves in Portugal. Now, here I am playing ice hockey, and going diving to see just how far I can go. I was hesitant to lay on my board with my stoma, but that fear was all in my head. After my next surgery, I want to push my surfing to the next level – I want to go even bigger. At the moment, there are minimal waves in the UAE, but I want to be ready for when the first swells hit,” concludes Mohammad.

18 Feb 2021

Emirati Patient Admitted to ICU with Severe COVID-19 Symptoms Makes Full Recovery

An Emirati patient who was admitted to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi with severe COVID-19 symptoms says he feels like he has been given a second chance at life after making a full recovery. In April 2020, Mohamed Al Zaabi began experiencing common COVID-19 symptoms, including headaches and fever. Concerned, he went to a hospital, where he was checked over diagnosed with COVID-19. However, as his chest X-rays and further tests came back as normal, he was given medication and sent home to rest in isolation. A few days later, his symptoms got worse and he experienced a pain in his chest and persistent coughing that he didn’t feel were getting any better. He decided to visit the Emergency Department at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, where he was immediately admitted to a COVID-19 isolation unit. Mohamed says, “When I was admitted to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi my symptoms were so severe, I felt like I might not survive. I will never forget the words of the doctor who admitted me. She told me I was in safe hands and not to worry, as everything would be alright.” In addition to COVID-19, X-rays revealed that Mohamed had developed pneumonia and his condition worsened. He was then admitted to ICU and put under constant monitoring as his oxygen levels were so low. Dr. Mujtaba Ali, Staff Physician within the Medical Subspecialities Institute, and part of the multidisciplinary team who cared for Mohamed warns, “Mohamed’s case demonstrates the severe turn COVID-19 can take in young, otherwise healthy people. It began as a headache but led to him struggling for breath and unable to get enough oxygen. He was admitted to intensive care for close management and potential ventilation. Happily, we were able to come together as a team to treat his symptoms and support his recovery without the need of a ventilator.” With no cure for COVID-19, Mohamed’s care team developed a plan to treat the symptoms caused by the virus. They turned to a new and promising treatment which targets the severe lung inflammation that was present in Mohamed’s lungs, using monoclonal antibodies. This novel treatment works to suppress the body’s natural immune response from attacking healthy cells instead of the virus. “Thanks to this novel approach, his condition improved after just one treatment,” says Dr. Maher Balkis, an Infectious Disease Physician within the Medical Subspecialties Institute. Over time, thanks to the care provided by his medical teams, and due to the fact that he was admitted at the right time, and received the right treatment, Mohamed made a full recovery. Following two negative COVID-19 tests, he was officially declared recovered and was able to be discharged from hospital. Mohamed says, “I feel like I have got my life back! At Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, they cared for me from day one, and I am proud that the UAE is home to such a hospital. I am so thankful for them and for the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. “From the moment I arrived until the moment I left, the care and support they provided me with made me feel like I was a part of their family. The doctors and nurses were always there for me, each one caring and helping me day and night. We are all the same here, expatriates, visitors and local – we are in safe hands” Today, Mohamed is in good health and COVID-19 free. He reflects, “Our health should always remain our priority, above everything else.”

18 Feb 2021

Patient Diagnosed With Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer Afraid of What the Future Would Hold

In September 2019, Emerson was diagnosed with stage 3 Colorectal cancer. His cancer had spread outside of the colon and into his lymph nodes. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women globally. The disease does not often show any symptoms until it is in the later stages. It is therefore regularly diagnosed in the more advanced stages when it is much harder to treat. After his cancer diagnosis, Emerson was feeling extremely depressed. He was anxious as he didn’t know whether any treatment could work for his advanced cancer. He didn’t know what the future would hold. A friend suggested he get a second opinion, so he went to Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi where he met Dr. Fadel Shabeeb and the team at the Digestive Disease Institute. When a patient has advanced colorectal cancer, treatment usually involves a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Dr. Fadel Shabeeb and his team performed surgery on Emerson. This was followed by 9 rounds of chemotherapy in a space of 6 months. Thankfully, Emerson tolerated the chemotherapy treatment well and his surgery was successful. He is now living cancer free – and is a very happy man. Emerson says “I am a strong and positive person. I trusted myself and I trusted my doctor. I surrounded myself with my family. Cancer is curable. Thanks to Dr. Fadel and his team I am now cancer free – this is the new beginning of the rest of my life”.

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