Also known as: Thickened heart muscle
Kayla presents with cardiac arrest due to what initially appears to be hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (overgrowth of heart muscle tissue). Dr. Reynolds performs emergency cardiac surgery to resect the septal wall muscular overgrowth, but pathology reveals the underlying cause is actually leukemia.
Also known as: Blood cancer
After cardiac surgery, pathology reveals that Kayla's heart hypertrophy was caused by infiltration of abnormal blood cells from leukemia. She requires chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant, leading to the search for her estranged father as a potential donor match.
Also known as: Bone cancer
Elizabeth had osteosarcoma removed from her spine 10 years ago, which she believed caused her paraplegia. However, investigation reveals the tumor was real but her paralysis was actually caused by the surgeon (Dr. Tollman) transecting her spinal cord during the operation and then covering it up with a metal plate.
Also known as: Spinal cord damage
Elizabeth's paraplegia was caused by iatrogenic spinal cord transection during her cancer surgery, not by the tumor itself. The surgeon covered up the error by installing a metal plate. This medical malpractice cover-up becomes the central ethical crisis of the episode.
Also known as: PTSD
Nathan is a Marine veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan and returned home a year ago. He is referred to Dr. Frome's PTSD support group and participates in therapeutic theater (performing a Greek tragedy about a wounded soldier), though he struggles with confronting his trauma.
Also known as: Leg amputation
Nathan lost his leg during military service in Afghanistan. This injury and his subsequent discharge from the Marines are central to his PTSD and his reluctance to participate in the therapeutic play about a wounded soldier.
Also known as: Heroin addiction
Lauren's history of opioid addiction becomes a major concern when she is approved for a second back surgery that will require pain medication. She must arrange for someone else to control her medication to prevent relapse, ultimately choosing Dr. Ligon to manage her post-operative pain regimen.