A Grateful Patient Treated for A Pathological Fracture of His Distal Femur Through a Myeloma Lesion
A patient and wife write to express gratitude for the care received by Dr. Wittig
CLICK HERE to read the letter
June 2010
Caring for a son
Hi Dr. Wittig,
Hope all is well with you. Just a note to let you know [my son] died two months ago. I'm probably telling you something you already know.
It has not been easy getting through this rough terrain in our lives. Our son meant everything to us, and it is not just the loss of his physical presence, but a loss of substance to all who came in contact with him. He was so excited about life, even during his illness he never once complained. He only encouraged us to live life to its potential, and told us to be calm and to relax as much as we possible could. He himself was such a calm and relaxed individual, that it makes me realize that worrying about the little things in life is nonsense. His favorite advice to me was "Mommy, stop sweating the little things, it is not worth the worry".
He has impacted so many people in his twenty-five years of life, it still amazes me. Being our only child, it was very traumatic losing him. Knowing myself, even if I had twenty children the effective would be just as devastating.
Thank you for the time you took out of your busy schedule when we visited your office with my son. He always felt comfortable in your capable hands; he always spoke highly of you, and I wanted you to know this.
God bless you and best wishes always.
LL
Mar 2010
Sacrococcygeal chordoma
Patient B.E., who underwent cryosurgery of a sacrococcygeal chordoma (click thumbnail to view larger image)
Feb 2010
A father with metastatic cancer
"Dear Dr. Wittig,
"I just wanted to let you know of the passing of my Dad on Feb.3rd. He died at --- hospital where they had given him amazing care. In his 20 month journey of mostly pain and suffering, there was only a very small percent of medical professionals that were truly caring and symphathic to his plight, you were one of them and we just wanted you to know, we appreciate what you tried to do to help him.
"Sincerely,
"LS"
Feb 2009
Chronicling a positive outcome online...years later
Feeling 100%
A young mother of twins who had a Ewing Sarcoma of the Scapula
Congratulations on being Top Doctor
M. S.
June 2009
A Special Experience
June 2009
Magnificent results...
J. S. April 2009
A Grateful Family
Dad's surgery & Dr. Wittig
March 2009
An Inspirational Outcome
Non-ossifying fibroma patient
Maria 2009
A Family's Thank You
February 2009
Washington Times Article - Fighting Cancer Blog
November 11, 2008
Neurofibromatosis
"I have a disorder called NEUROFIBROMATOSIS. My right leg was severely affected with it, to the point that it was difficult to stand and walk. I needed to find a doctor that would help me. From the moment I spoke with Dr. Wittig I knew I had found the right doctor..."
September 2008
Dr. Wittig's Website
"Thank you for having such a wealth of information on your web site. My brother (age 39) was just diagnosed with a yet undetermined type of sarcoma in his knee after having been diagnosed and treated for a glioblastoma multiforme brain tumor 8 years ago. The information on your site is just what we were looking for and in simple language to help us explain things to his 10 year old daughter."
Houston, TX - 2008
Osteosarcoma of lower femur and knee - underwent a radical resection and prosthetic reconstruction about 6 months earlier
(young girl)
"I just wanted to let you know that S. went swimming for the first time yesterday. (She had stopped swimming upon her diagnoses last June, that was devastating since she was on two swim teams.) She told me that she did not feel any physical difference in her swimming abilities. That made me so happy for her. She is now looking forward to riding her bike!
I just want to say thank you for the wonderful work that you do and for giving my daughter a second chance of life and allowing her to continue with her future hopes and dreams.
May God continue to bless you and all of your endeavors.
I'll see you at her next check up. All the best!"
April 2008
Chronic Osteomyelitis and Abscess of the Pelvis, Femur and Thigh
I met Dr. James Wittig in June 2007. His first words to me after examining my x-rays and bone scans were a question: "You can continue to battle this infection in your hip, or I can perform surgery. What's your choice?" I told him I was there because I knew I needed a surgeon with the skill and facility to get the infected bone out of me, and I was counting on his willingness to do the job.
I knew that surgery was my only chance at survival, but finding a surgeon who would and could do the job is not easy. Indeed, I had been searching for someone with Wittig's skills for several months. The infection in me had been developing for over 30 years, and no amount of antibiotics were going to make it go away because when an infection is in the bone, there's no blood supply to the infected tissue.
The surgery was done in three steps, during August and September. Then, I was sent home and placed under the care of a home nursing facility. A negative pressure pump was used to keep the surgical wound as dry as possible, and antibiotics were continued until December. Eventually, the wound was too small to use the pump, and wet dressings were applied to the wound. In January I no longer needed the nurses.
My final visit with Dr. Wittig was in March 2008. He declared me cured, and discharged me.
April 2008
Giant Cell Tumor of the Radius in a Young Woman
"Receiving a diagnosis of a bone tumor is life changing, especially when you are in your twenties and otherwise healthy. After a great deal of research, I decided to seek the expertise of Dr. Wittig. I could not have made a better choice! I have now been his patient for over two years and four surgeries later, I believe that I am finally getting past this awful disease. I have an internal metal prosthesis in my left arm, saving my arm from amputation. As an educator, I like to joke that I "rule with an iron fist" (literally). Support from family and friends, prayer, humor, and Dr. Wittig and his team have helped me in so many ways and I am so thankful. If you seek the care of an orthopedic oncologist, pick up the phone and schedule your appointment with Dr. Wittig. He's the best!
March 2008
30 year old female with congenital lymphedema of her arm who developed an angiosarcoma of her forearm
"Dr. Wittig, I wanted to let you know that Gabriele is starting her radiation tonight. We really appreciate all of the time and attention you've given her. You've definitely made a rough time in our lives a much better experience. It's real nice knowing we have a doctor like you in our corner."
March 2008
Quality of care
"Hello Dr. Wittig, I was very impressed and enthusiastic regarding your practice/credentials because I recently experienced a major setback (Osteosarcoma/below knee amputation at well-known facility). I am very unhappy because I feel those supposedly monitoring me were very conservative/standard because of their traditional practice at this hospital. Unlike the make-up of your team, communication, and ultimately your procedural process in the best interest of the patient was completely opposite for me at this facility. With that said, I would prefer to elaborate directly as soon as possible (via phone) because I would like for you to monitor my progression given your expertise. Kindly advise and thank you for your time."
February 2008
Growing up in India
"Good to get in touch with you through your revised website.
The site is looking good.
(He) is doing fine.
He is now 5'2" ( I am 5'6"). one segment was loaded in his prosthesis, now this coming Feb/March Dr Aggarwal @ Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai is advising to go for change of prosthesis main part i.e the joint. we have to go for his appointment in the coming 1/2 weeks and finalize the plan.
his fever/infection did not come back after 2005! his old prosthesis is continuing. we wish we could meet you again."
God bless you
Warm Regards
Boy 13yrs. old, India
Virginia Beach
"Congrats on the new position! You've worked very hard to get where you are today. Just wanted to say hello and let you know that we think and speak of you often. We will never forget you and what you did for W. She and her family are in Virginia Beach now, back home so that I can really spoil my granddaughter. I know that you are busy and I won't keep you, just wanted to let you know that there are several families here in Virginia Beach and elsewhere, that won't ever forget you, your knowledge and your kindness. Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday season!!!"
VA
A writer with multiple hereditary exostoses
"About 4 months or so ago I posted about my femur at http://www.lingstar.com/femur.jpg .
I'm thrilled to say that on Tuesday, I had surgery to remove the exostoses and it couldn't
have gone better. I wrote a bit about it at http://www.fabfitmom.com/journal/2007/11/29/back-from-mhe-surgery-recovering-well/ . Dr. Wittig does bone tumor removals routinely, and he was extremely knowledgeable about my condition. He has a superb bedside manner and also does pediatrics as well! I'm very glad to have found him. The actual surgery was incredibly fascinating; I opted for a spinal so I could stay awake and hear everything. The surgery took about 70 minutes and the lumpies were removed. What's 'way 'way cool to me, however, is that the day after, I was able to hobble about on crutches, and today, I'm able to move with much more ease. I'll be taking it gently, of course, and plan on spending most of today quietly... but wow, am I glad to have this over! If you are considering surgery for MHE, I give Dr. Wittig two thumbs up. "
Nov 2007
