http://www.memorialcare.org/ MemorialCare Health System is a not-for-profit integrated delivery system which includes Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, Miller Childrens Hospital Long Beach, Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center and Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in Laguna Hills and San Clemente. Pat was a happy and healthy 67-year-old, married to her “rock,” and living here in Long Beach. An avid cook and recipe enthusiast, she never felt any cause for health concern until noticing that she was bleeding irregularly. http://memorialcare.org/stories/pat_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/pat_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=99 Go to work… plan daughter’s bat mitzvah… attend wedding in Italy…check. As a working mother, wife and student, wearing many hats and making sacrifices were just part of Cindy Gotz’s every day routine. http://memorialcare.org/stories/cindy_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/cindy_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=98 Mario Leon, a healthy 25 year-old cycling enthusiast, with a passion for the outdoors took a trip to Joshua Tree National Park to celebrate the New Year with friends, when his life took a sudden turn. http://memorialcare.org/stories/mario_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/mario_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=97 As a retired Presbyterian parish visitor, Dan Barackman selflessly worked to bring spiritual healing to hospital patients during difficult moments in their life–often providing people with inspiration and encouragement. http://memorialcare.org/stories/dan_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/dan_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=96 When Cypress resident Janice Fraser went to work last New Year's Eve, she thought her persistent neck pain was just a pulled muscle. http://memorialcare.org/stories/janice_lbmmc_stroke.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/janice_lbmmc_stroke.cfm?id=95 While out playing tennis with some friends Dr. Ellestad noticed his body was a little stiff but he thought nothing of it. http://memorialcare.org/stories/ellestad_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ellestad_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=94 Andrew goes home within 30 hours after hip replacement surgery. For Andrew Vaca, 47, movement and dance are as necessary as the air in his lungs. http://memorialcare.org/stories/andrew_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/andrew_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=93 Ron is able to enjoy his new lease on life, and continue doing what he loves…keeping his radio voice alive. http://memorialcare.org/stories/ron_lbmmc_stroke.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ron_lbmmc_stroke.cfm?id=92 The First Patient From the Newly Opened Outpatient Diabetes Clinic at Long Beach Memorial, Andy “Graduates” Top of Class http://memorialcare.org/stories/andy_lbmmc_diabetes.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/andy_lbmmc_diabetes.cfm?id=91 Paula’s family has a history of stroke, heart attack, diabetes, high cholesterol and diabetes. But Paula is 23, why should she worry about heart problems? http://memorialcare.org/stories/paula_lbmmc_hw.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/paula_lbmmc_hw.cfm?id=90 Mia found a lump one morning on her breast when she got out of the shower. How could this be at only age 25, could this really mean breast cancer? http://memorialcare.org/stories/mia_lbmmc_breast.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/mia_lbmmc_breast.cfm?id=89 A rare condition called placenta accreta put Tracy's pregnancy at risk. Tracy's doctor referred her to Saddleback Memorial, which has one of the few high-risk pregnancy programs in the area. http://memorialcare.org/stories/bremmer-smmc-womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/bremmer-smmc-womens.cfm?id=88 A 7-foot robot is now assisting surgeons at Saddleback Memorial. Its mission: to help make minimally invasive procedures even less invasive. http://memorialcare.org/stories/winter-smmc-surgery.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/winter-smmc-surgery.cfm?id=87 For his wedding in August 2007, Darin Holt wore a size 50 pants and a 4X shirt. With everything to live for, Darin and his new wife, Rhonda, made a life-changing decision. http://memorialcare.org/stories/darin_ocmmc_weight_loss.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/darin_ocmmc_weight_loss.cfm?id=86 Josh will be participating in the 2nd Annual WiiHAB Championship fundraiser as a member on Team Diemha on April 14, 2011 at Houssels Forum. http://memorialcare.org/stories/josh_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/josh_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=85 Bodyboard Ron Ziebell's life completely changed in 2008 when he sustained a burst fracture of his 12 vertebra at the Wedge, a popular surfing spot in Newport Beach. Today he is able to walk, drive and live an independent life. http://memorialcare.org/stories/ron_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ron_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=84 Once a quadriplegic, Richard, now walking again, gives back to the MemorialCare Rehabilitation Institute that gave him back his life. http://memorialcare.org/stories/richard_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/richard_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=83 The future of lung cancer treatment is here—and it’s the standard of care at the Center for Lung Cancer at Orange Coast Memorial. http://memorialcare.org/stories/jacoub_cancer_ocmmc.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/jacoub_cancer_ocmmc.cfm?id=82 Fifteen year old athlete, Annie Capaldi, appeared to be the picture of good health when she was diagnosed with a serious heart defect. http://memorialcare.org/stories/annie_ocmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/annie_ocmmc_heart.cfm?id=81 When Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez injured the connective tissue that lines the outside rim of his hip-joint socket, he opted for a minimally invasive procedure called hip arthroscopy. http://memorialcare.org/stories/vander-reis-smmc-surgery.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/vander-reis-smmc-surgery.cfm?id=80 When a heart attack strikes, seconds matter—and getting treatment can mean the difference between life and death. http://memorialcare.org/stories/team_lbmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/team_lbmmc_heart.cfm?id=79 In many ways, Tara McNaught is a typical 15-year-old—she’s a student, junior lifeguard and member of her school’s soccer team. But she’s also a teenager who faces extraordinary challenges on a daily basis, including cystic fibrosis (CF) and CF-related dia http://memorialcare.org/stories/tara_mch_fibrosis.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/tara_mch_fibrosis.cfm?id=78 Most women know early detection is the best weapon against breast cancer. At the MemorialCare Breast Center, advanced diagnostic tools allow doctors to identify this treacherous disease sooner than ever before. http://memorialcare.org/stories/sie2_lbmmc_breast.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/sie2_lbmmc_breast.cfm?id=77 For John and Sarah Sangmeister, Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach will forever hold a special place in their hearts. http://memorialcare.org/stories/sangmeister_mch_women.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/sangmeister_mch_women.cfm?id=76 Every week, hundreds of patients undergo leading-edge treatments or testing at the MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast Memorial. http://memorialcare.org/stories/puthawala_cancer_ocmmc.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/puthawala_cancer_ocmmc.cfm?id=75 Ovarian cancer is a disease that can masquerade as dozens of common maladies in its early stages. http://memorialcare.org/stories/ovarian-lbmmc-cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ovarian-lbmmc-cancer.cfm?id=74 Jennifer and Richard Hulick never thought about a high-risk pregnancy when they began planning a family in 2008. http://memorialcare.org/stories/hulick-smmc-womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/hulick-smmc-womens.cfm?id=73 One of the great success stories in medicine is the dramatic improvement in survival rates for pediatric cancer patients. http://memorialcare.org/stories/finklestein_mch_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/finklestein_mch_cancer.cfm?id=72 The renowned Doheny Eye Institute has partnered with Orange Coast Memorial to bring world-class vision and eye care to Orange County residents. http://memorialcare.org/stories/doheny-ocmmc-eye.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/doheny-ocmmc-eye.cfm?id=71 Daniel Truong, M.D., diagnosed Dave Jones with dystonia, a movement disorder. "Everything changed the day I met Dr. Truong," says Dave. http://memorialcare.org/stories/dave_ocmmc_parkinson.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/dave_ocmmc_parkinson.cfm?id=70 It was a typical late summer day for Bob Mask, then age 40. He attended a niece's birthday party, played around in the pool with his young son and had dinner afterwards with family and friends. http://memorialcare.org/stories/bob_ocmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/bob_ocmmc_heart.cfm?id=69 At age 42, Alvin Hayes Jr. was a man of many talents. A teacher of advanced mathematics, he also was a noted jazz musician whose albums ranked high on Billboard charts. http://memorialcare.org/stories/alvin_smmc_stroke.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/alvin_smmc_stroke.cfm?id=68 Just minutes later, Alicia's heart stopped beating. The active 34-year-old—whose only vice is an occasional chocolate chip cookie—had experienced sudden cardiac arrest. http://memorialcare.org/stories/alicia_smmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/alicia_smmc_heart.cfm?id=67 Like many moms of two small kids, Courtney Pixton felt exhausted. She was told that her fatigue may be caused by her daily responsibilities or even her type-2 diabetes. But she knew it was more than that. http://memorialcare.org/stories/courtney-lbmmc-sleep.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/courtney-lbmmc-sleep.cfm?id=66 Today, Dave is so thankful for his health and how the hypothermia machine has benefitted his life that he is determined to expand his community outreach by helping others with their health. http://memorialcare.org/stories/dave_lbmmc_hw.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/dave_lbmmc_hw.cfm?id=65 A.S. Abbasi, MD, is an accomplished cardiologist that has worked in Long Beach for more than 35 years. As a doctor, he knows how to make intelligent health care choices, and knows the value of pre-screening. http://memorialcare.org/stories/abbasi_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/abbasi_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=64 Rick and Laura Welsh had just returned from a trip to Hawaii and were happily awaiting the birth of their first child. http://memorialcare.org/stories/welsh-smmc-womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/welsh-smmc-womens.cfm?id=63 From sophisticated CT studies to leading-edge MRI scans, Orange Coast Memorial is at the forefront of a quiet revolution that’s taken place in the field of radiology. http://memorialcare.org/stories/wasley_ocmmc_imaging.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/wasley_ocmmc_imaging.cfm?id=62 From the time-honored stethoscope to the century-old electrocardiogram, doctors have relied on a number of tools to diagnose heart disease. http://memorialcare.org/stories/imaging_lbmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/imaging_lbmmc_heart.cfm?id=61 When Virginia Filipan learned she had lung cancer, she knew what to expect. She had lost her two sisters, brother and husband to various forms of cancer, so she figured it was time to plan the last few months of her life. http://memorialcare.org/stories/virgina_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/virgina_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=60 “Hyperbaric therapy is such a blessing for people with problems like mine. It really works.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/videlia_lbmmc_wound.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/videlia_lbmmc_wound.cfm?id=59 “The progress Trevor made in rehab was amazing. We saw astonishing changes every day.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/trevor_mch_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/trevor_mch_rehab.cfm?id=58 It was a wake-up call 63-year-old Tom will never forget. Three years ago, the Fountain Valley resident awoke at 4:30 a.m. feeling like he’d just run a race. “My heart was beating so fast I was out of breath,” he recalls. http://memorialcare.org/stories/tom_ocmmc_er.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/tom_ocmmc_er.cfm?id=57 “My treatment at Long Beach Memorial was great. I’ve been cancer-free for more than 14 years.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/texina_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/texina_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=56 Patients at Long Beach Memorial’s Todd Cancer Institute know the power of modern radiation therapy. http://memorialcare.org/stories/tci_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/tci_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=55 With a maternal grandmother, mother and aunt who developed breast cancer at an early age, Tara Stein had been on the alert for the disease and received annual mammograms, monthly breast self-exams and regular checkups. http://memorialcare.org/stories/tara_lbmmc_breast.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/tara_lbmmc_breast.cfm?id=54 Tahji and Shaiann are typical twins. Their mom swore they would grow out of getting along so well as they got older, but they are still best buddies at 9 years old. http://memorialcare.org/stories/tahji_shaiann_mch_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/tahji_shaiann_mch_cancer.cfm?id=53 Today, the prognosis for a growing number of cancer patients is life. Major contributing factors to this trend are the amazing technological advances that have taken place in the past few years and the availability of community-based oncology programs. http://memorialcare.org/stories/syed_ocmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/syed_ocmmc_cancer.cfm?id=52 Hyperthermia—the use of heat to cure disease—dates back to the early Egyptians and Greeks. Today, this ancient therapy is helping save lives by boosting the effectiveness of modern cancer treatments. http://memorialcare.org/stories/syed_hyp_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/syed_hyp_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=51 Sue Hall, 64, did all the right things. For the past 24 years, she never missed her annual mammogram at the MemorialCare Breast Center at Saddleback. Each month, she performed a breast self-exam. http://memorialcare.org/stories/sue_smmc_breast.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/sue_smmc_breast.cfm?id=50 When it comes to saving lives, mammograms matter. Safe and accurate, these X-ray tests to detect breast cancer are recommended annually for women 40 and over— and possibly earlier for patients with a family history of the disease. http://memorialcare.org/stories/sie_lbmmc_breast.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/sie_lbmmc_breast.cfm?id=49 “In stroke cases, the goal is to develop a treatment plan and initiate appropriate therapy within 90 minutes of a patient’s arrival at the hospital,” says Orange Coast Memorial cardiologist Steven Schiff, M.D., who is Joseph’s doctor. http://memorialcare.org/stories/schiff_ocmmc_stroke.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/schiff_ocmmc_stroke.cfm?id=48 “After not getting a wink of sleep or being able to eat a bite of food for two days, my daughter finally called 9-1-1 against my will. Thank goodness she did. I was taken to Long Beach Memorial where my life was saved.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/ron_lbmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ron_lbmmc_heart.cfm?id=47 “I was just amazed when I learned about robotic surgery and felt fortunate that Long Beach Memorial had this to offer me.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/rene_lbmmc_surgery.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/rene_lbmmc_surgery.cfm?id=46 “I just cannot say enough about Dr. Damore,” he adds. “Right away, he instilled so much confidence. I have a lot of respect for his abilities." http://memorialcare.org/stories/ray_smmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ray_smmc_cancer.cfm?id=45 It’s an imaging device that even Superman, with his celebrated X-ray vision, would envy. http://memorialcare.org/stories/pompei_smmc_imaging.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/pompei_smmc_imaging.cfm?id=44 In less time than it takes for a typical lunch break, individuals at risk for coronary artery disease can learn their probability of having a heart attack—in time to do something about it. http://memorialcare.org/stories/pompei_smmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/pompei_smmc_heart.cfm?id=43 For people who are seriously overweight, life can be a constant struggle.Not only do obese individuals develop chronic health problems such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease, but they’re also often professionally and socially stigmatized. http://memorialcare.org/stories/patel_smmc_weight.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/patel_smmc_weight.cfm?id=42 No one knows about the quality of care at the Women’s Hospital at Saddleback Memorial better than Nanci Masada-Okawa and her husband David. In 2002, Nanci was 37 years old and pregnant for the first time. http://memorialcare.org/stories/nanci_smmc_womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/nanci_smmc_womens.cfm?id=41 Every year, thousands of patients trust their hearts to the MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute (MHVI) at Long Beach Memorial—and with good reason. http://memorialcare.org/stories/mhvi_lbmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/mhvi_lbmmc_heart.cfm?id=40 One of the most important decisions a woman makes is choosing a hospital for the birth of her baby. http://memorialcare.org/stories/mds_smmc_womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/mds_smmc_womens.cfm?id=39 For 82-year-old Margaret Howell, who was suffering from crippling osteoarthritis in her right knee, joint replacement surgery was a journey she was more than ready to take. http://memorialcare.org/stories/margaret_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/margaret_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=38 Today, 65 percent of adult Americans are overweight according to the National Institutes of Health. Of these, more than 9 million are severely obese—at least twice their ideal body weight, or 100 pounds heavier than they should be. http://memorialcare.org/stories/leport_ocmmc_weight_loss.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/leport_ocmmc_weight_loss.cfm?id=37 When Kim Hogerson became manager of emergency services at Saddleback Memorial, she never dreamed that she would end up in the ER herself. But last March, the 56-year-old nurse found that her life depended on the very programs she had helped develop. http://memorialcare.org/stories/kim_smmc_hw.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/kim_smmc_hw.cfm?id=36 Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach didn’t let cystic fibrosis keep our hero, Kellisa, from the things she loves – like attending proms and editing of her high school yearbook. http://memorialcare.org/stories/kellisa_mch_cf.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/kellisa_mch_cf.cfm?id=35 “The doctors and nurses who took care of me at Long Beach Memorial were such good people. They helped me get back into the game again.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/keith_lbmmc_er.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/keith_lbmmc_er.cfm?id=34 Only 25 percent of the hospitals nationwide are capable of meeting the 90-minute door-to-balloon standard, and fortunately for Karen Long Beach Memorial is one of those hospitals. http://memorialcare.org/stories/karen_lbmmc_hw.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/karen_lbmmc_hw.cfm?id=33 Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach doesn’t let diabetes keep our heroes, Brett and Jordyn, from the things they cherish—like qualifying for the Junior Olympics in volleyball. http://memorialcare.org/stories/jordyn_brett_mch_diabetes.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/jordyn_brett_mch_diabetes.cfm?id=32 At the time of Jim’s stroke, he smoked, weighed 320 pounds and suffered from high cholesterol and high blood pressure. http://memorialcare.org/stories/jim_lbmmc_stroke.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/jim_lbmmc_stroke.cfm?id=31 About half a million Americans undergo coronary bypass surgery annually, extending their lives by many years. After having this procedure, it’s not unusual for heart patients to say they’re lucky to be alive. http://memorialcare.org/stories/james_smmclh_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/james_smmclh_heart.cfm?id=30 Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach didn’t let being born smaller than her mom’s hand keep our hero, Jaiden, from the things she loves. http://memorialcare.org/stories/jaiden_mch_nicu.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/jaiden_mch_nicu.cfm?id=29 Everyone who’s ever seen “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” knows about crime labs. But few people have ever heard of a pathology lab. http://memorialcare.org/stories/ibarra_ocmmc_lab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ibarra_ocmmc_lab.cfm?id=28 Erica Hawkins never dreamed she would develop breast cancer. A registered diet technician at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center for 22 years, the Ladera Ranch resident ate carefully. http://memorialcare.org/stories/hawkins_smmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/hawkins_smmc_cancer.cfm?id=27 It was a typical late summer day for Bob Mask, then age 40. He attended a niece’s birthday party, played around in the pool with his young son and had dinner afterwards with family and friends. http://memorialcare.org/stories/greenfield_ocmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/greenfield_ocmmc_heart.cfm?id=26 During the last decade, more than 200,000 families have adopted children from abroad. As joyful as these occasions are, many internationally adopted children have lived in crowded and neglectful orphanage environments without proper hygiene and nutrition. http://memorialcare.org/stories/georgiana_mch_adpt.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/georgiana_mch_adpt.cfm?id=25 Six weeks after surgery, George was taking three-mile daily walks along the beach without pain. “I credit my successful operation to the work of Dr. Mudiyam and the care I received at Orange Coast Memorial,” says George. “It was the best.” http://memorialcare.org/stories/george_ocmmc_surgery.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/george_ocmmc_surgery.cfm?id=24 "At age 62, I had a blocked coronary artery. I knew I had risk factors for heart disease but I never thought it would happen to me." http://memorialcare.org/stories/fran_smmclh_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/fran_smmclh_heart.cfm?id=23 Ed Cirnigliaro, a fitness trainer and lifelong athlete, had always been strong, healthy and remarkably injury-free. http://memorialcare.org/stories/fenger_ocmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/fenger_ocmmc_rehab.cfm?id=22 Each year, thousands of patients disabled by strokes, accidents and illnesses get a new lease on life at the MMemorialCare Rehabilitation Institute at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. http://memorialcare.org/stories/feldman_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/feldman_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=21 Being a mom is a busy job—just ask our hero Diane. She is the mommy of 2-year-old daughter Malia and recently born daughter No. 2, Devyn. http://memorialcare.org/stories/diane_mch_women.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/diane_mch_women.cfm?id=20 As a Marine, C.J. Del Grosso fought many battles. But the colonel’s greatest battle came after he retired and learned he had cancer. http://memorialcare.org/stories/delg_lbmmc_caner.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/delg_lbmmc_caner.cfm?id=19 The day after his forty-ninth birthday, San Clemente resident David Koch collapsed from a heart attack after getting out of his backyard Jacuzzi. Just two years earlier, he’d lost his wife to a brain tumor, leaving him a single parent. http://memorialcare.org/stories/david_smmclh_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/david_smmclh_heart.cfm?id=18 It’s a fact. More women are waiting until they enter their 30s and 40s to start a family—or add to it. http://memorialcare.org/stories/cynthia_mch_womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/cynthia_mch_womens.cfm?id=17 The ER and heart care teams at Saddleback Memorial were the best that I could ever hope for. http://memorialcare.org/stories/crystal_smmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/crystal_smmc_heart.cfm?id=16 Ciara loves to play outside—blowing bubbles, doing cartwheels and playing at kindergarten recess all top her list of favorite activities. Mom says she takes on a whimsical persona when she plays outside, like many young children do. http://memorialcare.org/stories/ciara_mch_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/ciara_mch_cancer.cfm?id=15 When it comes to diabetes, a little education can go a long way. Left untreated, the disease can lead to complications that can be severe—and even life-threatening. http://memorialcare.org/stories/chavez_smmc_diabetes.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/chavez_smmc_diabetes.cfm?id=14 Time may not heal all wounds, but chances are the Center for Advance Wound Healing at Saddleback Memorial can. http://memorialcare.org/stories/cfawh-smmc-wound.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/cfawh-smmc-wound.cfm?id=13 Carrie Sheridan’s relationship with Miller Children's Hospital Long Beach began several months before she and her colleagues at Newport Beach-based architecture firm, TAYLOR, started work on the the hospital’s expansion project. http://memorialcare.org/stories/carrie_mch_women.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/carrie_mch_women.cfm?id=12 Tracy and George Cardenas are thankful to Miller Children’s renowned neonatal intensive care unit who cared for their triplets Sadie, Jonah and Andie. http://memorialcare.org/stories/cardenas_mch_womens.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/cardenas_mch_womens.cfm?id=11 "The day I had surgery at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center, my life changed for the better and I had finally achieved what I never could in the past. I no longer fear that I will be judged for what I look like versus the person I am." http://memorialcare.org/stories/bobbie_ocmmc_weight_loss.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/bobbie_ocmmc_weight_loss.cfm?id=10 In summer 2005, life was good for 21-year-old Binh Duong. He had graduated from the police academy the previous winter and was close to completing his probationary period as a Long Beach police officer. http://memorialcare.org/stories/binh_lbmmc_rehab.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/binh_lbmmc_rehab.cfm?id=9 From diagnostic angiograms to lifesaving surgery, Orange Coast Memorial offers patients state-of-the-art heart care. http://memorialcare.org/stories/bethencourt_ocmmc_heart.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/bethencourt_ocmmc_heart.cfm?id=8 Last year, 31-year-old Barbara Grimes was thrilled with the prospect of having her first baby. Shortly after she reached her 25th week of pregnancy, however, she awoke in the middle of the night bleeding heavily. http://memorialcare.org/stories/barbara_mch_women.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/barbara_mch_women.cfm?id=7 During a routine medical checkup three years ago, Audrey Hansen, then 74, mentioned that she was having some minor bladder problems. http://memorialcare.org/stories/audrey_lbmmc_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/audrey_lbmmc_cancer.cfm?id=6 The most common treatment for painful fibroids is a hysterectomy—a major operation involving removal of the uterus. But a non-surgical treatment available at Saddleback Memorial now offers women an option that is far less invasive. http://memorialcare.org/stories/arora-smmc-gynecology.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/arora-smmc-gynecology.cfm?id=5 In 2007, Antisha Anderson was an outgoing, rising star in competitive track and field. Bursting with energy, she was doing so well, in fact, that she had been recruited to join an exclusive professional team in Los Angeles to train for the Olympics. http://memorialcare.org/stories/antisha_lbmmc_hw.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/antisha_lbmmc_hw.cfm?id=4 Andrea Glasser’s vision of the future changed dramatically. After a routine mammogram at the MemorialCare Breast Center, the 44-year-old veterinarian was stunned to learn that she had a suspicious growth in her right breast. http://memorialcare.org/stories/andrea_lbmmc_breast.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/andrea_lbmmc_breast.cfm?id=3 Alex bounces a ball from the moment he wakes up to the time he is tucked into bed at night. He loves sports. He lives and breathes baseball. In fact, he was the strongest t-ball player on his team and has quickly advanced to farm. http://memorialcare.org/stories/alex_mch_cancer.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/alex_mch_cancer.cfm?id=2 At first, Aaron Recendez’s illness didn’t cause much concern. It was February—cold and flu season; the discomfort he felt in his abdomen seemed like the work of a common bug. So the 11th-grader stayed home from school the next day. http://memorialcare.org/stories/aaron_mch_gas.cfm http://memorialcare.org/stories/aaron_mch_gas.cfm?id=1