Story

Fertility challenges go beyond the empty nursery room walls. Those struggling to conceive often experience stress, guilt, feeling helpless and depression. Taking care of your mental health throughout the fertility journey is essential—and it is possible. Psychological support and counseling have been found to decrease the negative emotions associated with fertility challenges.   “The desire to … Read More

When Sonia revealed to her father over dinner that she was seven weeks pregnant with her second child, he was so overwhelmed with joy that he bought wine for the entire restaurant.   The following morning, his excitement quickly turned to terror.   “The next call he gets from me was from the ambulance telling him I’m … Read More

When Amy Rudder first noticed a lump in her right breast, she wasn’t concerned. At just 27, the Hoag ER nurse thought she was too young to have breast cancer. Her perspective shifted dramatically, however, after she met with Hoag OB-GYN Brooke Hargrove, M.D., who ordered an ultrasound.   “I made the mistake of looking over … Read More

Two decades ago, Beth Sanden suffered her first spinal injury while preparing for the Boston Marathon and the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii.  Falling on a downhill stretch, she landed on her shoulder blades on broken asphalt. The crash rendered her paralyzed and wheelchair bound.  “My spinal cord was like an accordion,” she said. “All smushed … Read More

In the summer of 2024, Janice Munemitsu, an Orange County native, found herself among a growing number of Asian women with a rare form of lung cancer.   “As someone who doesn’t smoke and has been healthy all my life, it was a shock,” she said.   What began as a sudden onset of a rare eye … Read More

If the term “self-care” conjures up images of white fluffy robes and luxurious spas, you might be surprised to learn that your colonoscopy is also a form of self-care. So is showing up for your annual mammogram, Pap smear and yearly physical exam. And that exercise class that helps keep your weight in check, that’s … Read More

As a teenager embarking on her freshman year of high school, Amanda Stratton began experiencing severe and mysterious abdominal pain.   “Doctors chalked my symptoms up to irritable bowel syndrome, and that was all they could really offer me as a diagnosis,” she said.  Months turned into years, and despite following prescribed protocols from specialists and … Read More

Sleep is an essential requirement for health, but sometimes falling asleep is easier said than done. Here, Dr. Jose Puangco, a neurologist who treats sleep disorders at the Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag, offers advice to help you fall asleep fast. That way, you can stop tossing and turning and instead head straight to … Read More

Anyone who’s suffered a deep emotional loss knows the feelings brought on by a broken heart. But did you know “broken heart syndrome” is a real medical condition? Here, Dr. Dipti Itchhaporia, M.D., M.A.C.C., Eric and Shiela Samson Endowed Chair in Cardiovascular Health and director of disease management at the Jeffrey M. Carlton Heart & … Read More

Rick Letterman’s passion for golf spans decades. Now 77, he’s been perfecting his swing since high school, when he worked as a caddy at a local country club in Kentucky.  “Golf is a very self-challenging game,” he said. “You align with your target in the distance, and you take your shot. When I received the … Read More