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Andy Evangelista
first appeared 2 September 1999 A Lucky Turn to Turkish Nightmare UCSF oncologist Debu Tripathy was nearly paralyzed, and his wife, Becki, had part of her left arm cracked and shredded. Still, they feel more lucky than hurt.
"It was a modern hospital and the care was good," Debu said. Doctors applied a halo to stabilize him, and set Becki’s fractured elbow and closed her wounds. Debu, however, had felt numbness and tingling and knew that a pre-existing 10% narrowing in his C-spine, combined with the severe trauma, put him at risk for paralysis. He was aware, too, that Becki would need skin grafts for her arm. He contacted his UCSF colleague Laura Esserman, who helped diagnose from continents away. Doctors in Turkey posted Debu’s CAT scans on a website, where UCSF neurosurgeon Bruce McCormack was able to view them. They agreed that the Tripathys needed to come home to UCSF for immediate care. Esserman worked with the Tripathys’ health insurer, Health Net -- this was a case where an HMO came through in flying colors. Early Tuesday, Aug. 17, a special medical Lear jet, dispatched by Health Net, transported the Tripathys from Turkey. Around an hour-and-half later, a 7.4 earthquake hit the country, killing more than 14,000 people. "We did not even know about it until we reached San Francisco that afternoon and people were asking us about the earthquake," Debu said. He did not learn about the devastating details until he saw the news the next day. There’s no telling what would have happened to the Tripathys had they remained in Turkey just 90 minutes longer. Because of the magnitude of the disaster, their injuries certainly would have taken a back seat to those of the thousands of quake victims. "We are unbelievably lucky," said Debu, who described his UCSF friends and Health Net as "heroic." Debu was hospitalized at Mount Zion, where he treats many of his cancer patients, and was released Aug. 20. He’s been ordered to stay home and take it easy for eight weeks, but those who know him say it will be tough to keep him down. Debu, who expects a full recovery, says he will be in touch with his cancer patients who rely on his advice and research staff at the UCSF Cancer Center. Becki had a skin graft procedure Aug. 23 at Mount Zion and went home Aug. 30 to join Debu, Rachel and two younger children who did not make the Turkey trip. Debu and Becki extend their appreciation to the many who visited or sent get-well wishes. They ranged from research and medical office staff to his department chief and the Chancellor. "We were flattered by the number of letters and calls," said Debu. "There is a great sense of family at UCSF." He says that it was strange being on the receiving end of hospital care, and amidst all the merger-related news surrounding Mount Zion, their stay "was a wonderful experience." He admits that as a clinician he had joked about such things as hospital meals. "But the food was actually good," he said. Training to Beat Leukemia Ginger Kuhns, a data manager for UCSF neuro-oncology clinical trial programs during the week and a per diem therapist at UCSF Stanford’s pediatric rehabilitation service on weekends, wasn’t active enough. So, six months ago she joined the "Team in Training," a program for runners, walkers, cyclists and triathletes to benefit the Leukemia Society of America. A competitive rower, Kuhns moved here from the Midwest a year ago. "It seemed like everyone in California was active, and I thought a triathlon would be a good challenge," she said. At least three days a week, she works out with some 50 "Team" members, all of whom have agreed to use their physical skills and endurance to raise money for the Leukemia Society of America. The organization funds research at many centers, including UCSF. Kuhns will get her first shot on Saturday, Sept. 11, when she will enter the Pacific Grove Triathlon. She hopes to conquer the one-mile swim, nearly 25-mile bike and 6.2-mile run course, and at the same time raise some money for leukemia research. She will be joined by Courtney Keneman and Kate Cook, fellow rehabilitation therapists at Mount Zion, and several nurses from UCSF’s oncology unit. Sponsors are welcome, and may send donations in any amount (made out to Leukemia Society of America) to Kuhns at Box 0372. Prospective triathletes may also check the Team in Training website at www.teamintraining.com. What a Doll From the medical news file: In her 40 years, the never-grow-old Barbie has tried dozens of careers, from model to astronaut, but now, creative researchers and engineers have found a part for her in medical science -- well, at least for her long legs. It turns out that Barbie’s plastic knee joints make good knuckles in prosthetic fingers. Jane Bahor, who makes lifelike body parts for amputees at Duke University Medical Center, has used the knees of Barbie dolls for about a dozen patients. Mattel, the makers of Barbie, have sent her a bag full of parts for free, according to a recent AP story. Those with the fake fingers bend them in the same way they would bend Barbie’s leg. Being able to bend prosthetic fingers makes it easier for an amputee to hold a pen, pick up a cup or grip a steering wheel. "She made her cultural contribution -- now she can make a medical contribution," Bahor told AP. Readers: If you have any items or suggestions for this column, send us an email: aevangelista@pubaff.ucsf.edu . |
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The
couple and their 11-year-old daughter, Rachel, were enjoying a wonderful
vacation in Turkey with nine friends. They had traveled to the Black
Sea, where on Aug. 11 they watched the total eclipse of the sun, and
were on their way to see the mystical landscapes in Cappadocia when
between 1 and 2 a.m. their chartered mini-bus blew a tire, flipped over
and smashed into a guardrail. Debu was thrown to the ceiling, hitting
his neck along the way and fracturing several vertebrae in his cervical
spine. Becki’s left arm was pinned under the bus until passengers with
less serious injuries and a group of passersby lifted the vehicle to
free her. She had an open fracture in her elbow and skin was shorn to
her shoulder. Rachel escaped with a few cuts and bruises. Ambulances
rushed them to a hospital in the capital city of Ankara.