Rebecca Armbruster, DO, MS, FACOI: Chief Medical Officer | Jeanes Hospital
Rebecca Armbruster, DO, MS, FACOI: Chief Medical Officer | Jeanes Hospital
Rick O'Keefe, an avid tennis player from Little Rock, Arkansas, found his tennis career and health in jeopardy after experiencing severe back pain. An emergency room visit initially diagnosed him with a broken clavicle bone. However, further tests at the University of Arkansas for Medical Services revealed a case of renal cell carcinoma, or kidney cancer, that had spread and introduced a rare condition known as a horseshoe kidney.
O'Keefe's condition, where the kidneys are joined together in a horseshoe shape, posed significant challenges for treatment. While initial oral chemotherapy helped, surgery became necessary when progress halted. Rick and his fiancée, Elly Rumbach, sought out a surgeon with the specific experience needed for such a rare case.
Their search led them to Dr. Daniel D. Eun at Temple University Hospital, renowned for handling complex urologic surgeries. "We both loved him, and we knew he was the right guy," Rumbach stated after a teleconference with Dr. Eun.
The complex nature of removing tumors from a horseshoe kidney required an experienced hand. Dr. Eun explained that surgeries on such kidneys are indeed challenging. “When I started Rick’s procedure, I found that his blood supply was extremely complicated,” he said. Ultimately, Dr. Eun successfully removed the tumor and separated Rick's kidneys, each functioning independently now.
"We were able to pivot effectively, save Rick’s kidney, and take out the entire tumor," Dr. Eun reported. Rumbach expressed satisfaction with Temple's care: "Their body language showed how much they cared."
O'Keefe continues his recovery and treatment for stage IV cancer at home with his medical team, but he values the specialized care he received in Philadelphia. "You really don’t see that anywhere else," O'Keefe remarked about the unique attention provided by Dr. Eun and his team. He also appreciated a supportive experience with Hosts for Hospitals during his stay.
Dr. Eun anticipates O'Keefe’s possible return to Philadelphia, hinting at the positive bond formed during this medical journey: "I think they really might come back to Philly for that return trip."
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