MInIMALLy InVASIVE SuRGERy Continued from page 11
Too Much of a Good Thing Laureen Cramer also had a parathyroid
I’ve had previous surgeries and didn’t know
or enlarged one gone, they have to step up and
what it would be like.
do all the work. We monitor to watch that the
gland in the wrong place — in her chest. In her
“It turned out to be much less painful this
case, though, it was not a matter of a migrating
way. I had to stay in the hospital for four days,
one month and six months; if they’re normal,
gland, but of an extra one. With five parathyroids
but that’s because it’s your chest.”
there’s no further follow-up needed.”
functioning normally, she had an elevated
calcium doesn’t fall too low. We check levels at
During the surgery, Dr. Maley deliberately
Laureen says that her calcium levels are
calcium level. The 64-year-old had no symptoms,
leaves the right lung unventilated so that it is
perfect now. “They were normal by discharge,
and was diagnosed when routine screening
reduced in size and can be secured out of the
and are still normal. I had a very positive
blood work revealed hyperkalemia. “My doctor
way. Post-operatively, the patient then requires
experience at St. Clair.” Laureen is enjoying
told me to stop taking my calcium supplements.
a chest tube for a day or two to drain blood
an active retirement at her 100-acre farm in
I did, but the level remained high. I went to
and re-inflate the lung. “We check parathyroid
Taylorstown. Formerly of Upper St. Clair, she
St. Clair to have scans and my parathyroids lit
levels immediately after the procedure, about
says that she and her husband Fred moved to
up when they injected iodine; they could see
20 minutes after the gland is removed. They
the country for the sake of their dogs and cats.
that there was one in my chest. I saw an ENT
should be decreased; it happens that fast.
“It’s a lot of work to take care of this property,
surgeon, but he said the site was too low for
We also have to watch that the calcium does
but it keeps us healthy. I believe in living a
him; he operates in the neck and head. He
not drop too low; the normal parathyroids
healthy lifestyle and I encourage everyone to
referred me to Dr. Maley, who told me this was
have had this ‘big kid on the block’ for years
get the recommended health screenings.
perfect for robotic surgery. I was surprised.
and may have gotten lazy. Now with the extra
If I had not had routine blood tests, my high
“
i believe in living a healThy liFesTyle and i encourage everyone To geT The recommended healTh screenings.
”
LAUREEN CRAMER
Laureen Cramer selects some spring flowers at Pete Donati and Sons Inc. Florist-Greenhouse in Bethel Park. 12 I HouseCall I Volume VI Issue 2