Also known as: TTTS
Padma's identical twin pregnancy is complicated by TTTS, where abnormal placental blood vessel connections cause unequal blood distribution between the twins. One twin receives too much blood risking heart failure, while the smaller twin receives too little and may not survive. Emergency fetal surgery with laser ablation is performed to separate the blood supplies.
Also known as: Ballantyne syndrome
As a complication of TTTS, Padma develops maternal mirror syndrome where she begins mirroring the symptoms of her sick fetuses, including severe fluid retention, pulmonary edema, and dangerous blood pressure spikes during surgery that threaten her life.
Also known as: Parasites in the brain
Chef Ciara presents with ataxia, confusion, memory problems, and nightmares. Brain imaging reveals a marble-sized mass between the temporal lobe and cerebellum. Surgery reveals it to be an encysted parasite (pork tapeworm larva) acquired from eating undercooked pork, not a brain tumor.
Also known as: MS
Bell is undergoing treatment in Minnesota for MS with a new anti-CD20 antibody therapy that he is tolerating well, showing reduced relapse rates. This is part of his ongoing treatment arc.
Also known as: Pancreatic tumor
Ian Sullivan's father had operable pancreatic cancer with clear nodes and no metastasis. After postsurgical chemotherapy and radiation, he receives good news that he is cancer-free for the foreseeable future.
Also known as: Bad dreams
Conrad's daughter Gigi is experiencing recurring nightmares about a bad man trying to hurt her, causing her to be afraid to sleep. Conrad attempts to address this through reading therapeutic books and helping her feel safe in the dark.