Also known as: Scarring of the lungs
A Marine veteran with pulmonary fibrosis secondary to exposure during Iraq tours seeks physician-assisted death due to intolerable symptoms and treatment failure. Her husband threatens to report Owen if he doesn't provide end-of-life medications.
Also known as: Pancreatic tumor
A 48-year-old woman with a 12-centimeter pancreatic head tumor involving the liver, duodenum, and causing portal vein thrombosis undergoes a risky ex-vivo surgery where her organs are removed, the tumor is excised, and everything is transplanted back. She nearly dies from massive blood loss during the critical blood shortage.
Also known as: Skin cancer that has spread
A man with metastatic melanoma and extensive lung metastases experiences acute respiratory failure while his wife is 36 weeks pregnant. He is placed on ECMO as a bridge to allow him to meet his son before dying, with the understanding that he will eventually be unplugged.
Also known as: Breathing failure
Simon develops acute respiratory failure from his extensive lung metastases, requiring intubation and then ECMO support as his pulmonary function cannot be restored.
Also known as: Shock from blood loss
During the ex-vivo pancreatic surgery, Cora develops massive hemorrhage with severe hypotension and acidosis during the critical hospital blood shortage, requiring the surgery to be temporarily halted until emergency blood arrives.
Also known as: Alzheimer's disease
Cora's aunt Sally has dementia and can no longer remember her niece who has been her primary caregiver. This relationship dynamic motivates Cora's decision to undergo the risky surgery.