Patient Stories
Jack Boggio
ENT and Sleep Patient
After having nasal polyps removed and the INSPIRE device implanted, Jack is breathing better and getting higher quality sleep thanks to the care he received at Summa Health.
Transcription
I knew I had nasal polyps and whenever I ate they would swell and it got so bad I couldn't hardly breathe. So, all my doctors that I use now are at Summa. So, I found Dr. Gerritsen, made an appointment to see him. He's an ENT specialist and he recommended removing the polyps. And after that was done, I asked about the sleep apnea that I've suffered for 25 years. I had a sleep study with Dr. Deoras and it turned out I was a good candidate for the INSPIRE device, which is an implant where part of it it's in the chest right here and part of it is underneath the chin and it electronically activates the tongue to keep it from falling back into the air passage while you're asleep. Then I use this device to hold up here, turn it on at night and turn it off in the morning. Remarkably, it stops the snoring and stops the sleep apnea. The INSPIRE device is the best thing Summa could have offered and I have the best night's sleep there is.
Greg Kucinski
Audiology Patient
Hearing aids allowed Greg to enjoy listening to music again, even hearing new things for the first time.
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Greg: I love music. I listen to records probably five nights out of a week. I was not enjoying it as much as I could because I knew my hearing was compromised. I asked my doctor, and she referred me to someone in the Summa group, Deanna Nickerson in audiology.
The experience with Dr. Nickerson was just wonderful. She said, "I'm not gonna tell you you need a hearing aid." She left the decision up to me. And as soon as I tried them, there was a difference. I was surprised how comfortable they were.
And life with music now is more enjoyable. I can hear more of the music. I will play an album that I have played a hundred times and hear new things in it. I hear like a young person. I wish the rest of my body could follow that, but I'll take what I can.
Craig Jenkins
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Patient
After receiving treatment at Summa, Craig is grateful for more time with his daughters.
Transcription
Craig: I couldn't swallow, and I knew something was wrong inside my throat, so I went to Summa, and that's where I met Dr. Khalil. He told me immediately that what he sees is cancer, and without immediate intervention, I probably only had a few months to live.
Dr. Khalil recommended chemotherapy and radiation simultaneously, and it was eight months long. The results of my treatment were so good, they don't even need to see me for a year. Yeah, Dr. Khalil, I love him. They treated me so good, it reminded me of when I went to Disneyland.
Dr. Khalil and Summa saved me. My bride passed away of cancer, and she left me two beautiful daughters that I get to enjoy the rest of my life. Sorry. There's a lot to live for, for sure.