Also known as: Ruptured triple-A
Brett, Kit's ex-husband, presents with abdominal tenderness after a scooter accident and is found to have a 5.6 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm requiring urgent surgical intervention. The aneurysm begins dissecting during surgery, creating life-threatening complications.
Also known as: Adrenal tumor
During workup for Brett's aortic aneurysm surgery, a mass is discovered in his right adrenal gland producing hormones that cause uncontrolled hypertension. This creates a surgical dilemma as operating could trigger a hypertensive crisis, but delaying risks aneurysm rupture.
Also known as: DVT
Olympic gymnast Valerie presents with calf pain and is diagnosed with a blood clot in her leg, requiring blood thinners that would force her to suspend training and potentially miss Olympic qualifiers.
Also known as: Testicular cancer
Further investigation of Valerie's symptoms reveals she has testicular cancer, discovered when imaging shows her ovaries are actually undescended testes due to androgen insensitivity syndrome. The cancer is caught early and requires surgical removal of the testes.
Also known as: Testicular feminization
Valerie is diagnosed with androgen insensitivity syndrome, a genetic condition where her male DNA could not process testosterone in utero, causing her to develop external female characteristics despite having male chromosomes and undescended testes. This revelation has implications for her Olympic eligibility.
Also known as: Kidney failure
Jessie, Nic's sister, develops elevated potassium levels and kidney damage, likely related to experimental medications she received during a previous drug trial while in addiction treatment.