Cody has Kabuki syndrome, a genetic disorder with multiple manifestations including chronic hypoglycemia. His symptoms are later revealed to be partially caused by a pancreatic tumor rather than solely his Kabuki syndrome, leading to an important diagnostic revelation.
Also known as: Broken collarbone
Joe sustained a group three clavicle fracture and shoulder dislocation when helping his son into a wheelchair. This injury led to discovery of more serious underlying conditions.
Also known as: Dislocated shoulder
Joe's shoulder dislocation accompanied his clavicle fracture from the fall with his son.
Also known as: Nerve compression in arm
A bone splinter was found compressing Joe's brachial plexus, causing disrupted nerve signaling and lack of pain sensation in his arm.
Also known as: Broken neck with paralysis
Joe's ossified ligament compressed his cervical spinal cord. Surgery to remove it resulted in permanent paraplegia, a devastating outcome that drives the emotional core of his storyline.
Joe had a chronically ossified ligament adhered to his cervical spinal cord that had developed over years. The fall caused it to compress the cord, and surgical removal resulted in paraplegia.
Also known as: Fractured windpipe
Nelly suffered tracheal damage from a car accident five years ago that left her unable to speak naturally, requiring use of an electrolarynx. This is the primary condition driving the episode's main surgical case.
Also known as: Carotid plaques
Nelly's left external carotid artery is stenotic, creating poor blood flow that increases the risk of the tracheal transplant and could lead to graft necrosis.
Also known as: Allergic reaction to experimental drugs
Nelly had a severe reaction to immunosuppressive therapy that caused her to crash, requiring the surgical team to find an alternative approach using bone marrow stem cells.
Cody suffered a ruptured aortic aneurysm at the site of his childhood heart surgery, triggered by a severe panic attack when worried about his father during surgery.
Also known as: Panic attacks
Cody experienced a severe panic attack due to fear about his father's prolonged surgery and memories of his mother's death, which led to his aortic aneurysm rupture.
Also known as: Pancreatic tumor
A benign, slow-growing pancreatic tumor was discovered causing Cody's hypoglycemia, chronic fatigue, and muscle weakness—symptoms previously attributed solely to his Kabuki syndrome. Its removal allows him to walk.
Also known as: Double vision
Cody experienced double vision, which along with other symptoms, helped lead to the discovery of his pancreatic tumor.
Also known as: Bleeding
During tracheal transplant surgery, Nelly experienced life-threatening bleeding from the thyrocervical trunk artery with blood pressure crashing. She survived due to exceptional clotting factors.