The University of Kansas Health System is treating a total of 38 COVID patients today, 35 Friday. Other significant numbers:

• 22 with the active virus today, 19 Friday
• 3 in ICU, 4 Friday
• 0 on a ventilator, 2 Friday

Key points from today’s guests:

Amanda McRae, patient

• Amanda had serious double vision issues during and after her pregnancy. Her doctors chalked it up as a side effect of the pregnancy, but Amanda felt that something was wrong and got a second opinion at The University of Kansas Health System.
• Doctors diagnosed a fairly large tumor, which was devastating news for Amanda and her husband, but there was a path of treatment that got her to normal health today.
• It was a team effort to help her and her family – other family members, friends and neighbors pitching in to help.
• Amanda recommends people trust your body, if something feels wrong, get a second opinion

Dr. Roukoz Chamoun, neurosurgeon, The University of Kansas Health System

• Discovering the brain tumor was challenging by itself. It was deep in the head, surrounded by very important critical structures, important nerves, the nerves of division optic nerve which controls eye movement and eye coordination, and a lot of important blood vessels and arteries.
• The location was very critical and the size was concerning – a 5-6 centimeter tumor. However, a tumor diagnosis is not always “the end of the world.”
• Skull base tumors are very challenging and we are very proud to have a comprehensive skull base program -- so we have very advanced team.
• In Amanda's case, it's a teamwork between ophthalmology and neurosurgery.
• It's a multidisciplinary approach – ENT, radiation oncology, ophthalmology, neurosurgery, all of these people involved at the same time. So we have that infrastructure here and not all places have that.
• This is the power of a second opinion to make sure you get the right diagnosis.

Dr. Matthew Twardowski, optometrist, The University of Kansas Health System

• We do comprehensive eye exams, so we see patients of all ages and all problems, and fortunately most of my patients do not have what Amanda had.
• You could tell when I first saw her, she had a real concern.
• The first thing we had to figure out was whether this was true double vision and we quickly determined it was and needed more tests which eventually led to the discovery of a tumor.
• If your gut is telling you something and you don't feel like you're finding that answer, we're happy to take a further look.

Dr. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control, The University of Kansas Health System

• A study has shown that vaccination, plus Paxlovid, does reduce long COVID.
• This is just one more study to support the effectiveness of vaccines and treatment.
• The important thing is here is getting tested early and getting on Paxlovid early, especially within the first five days of getting COVID.

Tuesday, March 27 is the next Morning Medical Update. We explore the advanced treatment that attacks cancer with precision using radioactive “seeds” planted inside the body, allowing higher doses of radiation with fewer risks.

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