Patient Experience
As a freelance photographer, I was caught in a minor motorbike pile-up near Pendik. My injuries were 'non-critical', deep lacerations, a likely wrist sprain. In the triage hierarchy, I was low priority. Yet, Dr. Mina, while stitching my arm with astonishing precision, conducted a silent, full-body assessment. She noticed the slight wince I hid when shifting weight. 'Your pelvis,' she stated, not asked. A quick ultrasound she performed herself revealed a small, stable pelvic bleed missed by the initial scan. She admitted me for 24-hour observation, preventing a delayed hemorrhage. Her medicine isn't reactive; it's anticipatory. She treats the patient in the chair and the one they might become in six hours. That's not just skill; it's a sixth sense.
Dr. Prof. MD. Suleyman Koz provided exceptional care for my nephrology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.
A 28-year-old competitive freediver from the Black Sea coast presented with recurrent episodes of severe abdominal pain and syncope during deep dives. Dr. Kurbuz discovered an extremely rare case of mesenteric artery compression exacerbated by the Valsalva maneuver at depth. He collaborated with a hyperbaric medicine specialist to design a unique treatment plan involving controlled breath-hold training and a minimally invasive vascular stent placement. The patient returned to competitive diving within 4 months, setting a new national depth record.
A 72-year-old retired calligraphy master presented with unexplained weight loss and jaundice. His intricate ink work involved frequent mouth-to-brush contact with traditional pigments. Dr. Kurbuz identified heavy metal poisoning from decades of ingesting trace amounts of arsenic-based inks, causing both hepatic and pancreatic damage. Treatment involved chelation therapy combined with nutritional support. The patient's family created a special exhibition of his recovery journey through a series of medical-themed calligraphy pieces.
A 19-year-old university student from a low-income background developed sudden, severe gastrointestinal bleeding. She had been participating in a clinical trial for a novel migraine medication. Dr. Kurbuz recognized an idiosyncratic drug reaction causing portal vein thrombosis. He secured emergency funding through hospital charity programs for life-saving TIPS procedure. The student recovered fully and later changed her major to biomedical ethics, focusing on informed consent in clinical trials.
A 41-year-old professional pastry chef presented with cyclical vomiting syndrome that coincided precisely with full moons for three years. Dr. Kurbuz discovered an unusual circadian rhythm disorder exacerbated by the chef's nocturnal work schedule and specific food dyes used in specialty moon-themed desserts. Treatment involved chronotherapy, dietary modification, and strategic use of melatonin. The chef developed a successful line of 'digestion-friendly' pastries inspired by the experience.
A 34-year-old Syrian refugee and former archaeology student presented with persistent diarrhea and malnutrition. Dr. Kurbuz identified giardiasis complicated by intestinal tuberculosis contracted during displacement. The patient's limited Turkish language skills and trauma history required a culturally sensitive approach involving a medical interpreter and collaboration with a refugee support organization. Treatment involved a complex antimicrobial regimen with careful monitoring for drug interactions with available food supplies.
A 57-year-old retired naval engineer presented with what appeared to be standard GERD symptoms. Dr. Kurbuz noticed subtle pattern changes correlating with the patient's weekly model shipbuilding sessions. Investigation revealed zinc toxicity from decades of inhaling soldering fumes, causing both esophageal and neurological symptoms. Treatment involved environmental modification and chelation. The patient developed a ventilation system for hobbyists that is now marketed internationally.
A 23-year-old professional eSports athlete presented with debilitating abdominal pain during tournaments. Dr. Kurbuz diagnosed abdominal migraine triggered by specific blue light frequencies from gaming monitors and exacerbated by tournament stress and energy drink consumption. Treatment involved specialized gaming glasses, dietary changes, and biofeedback training. The athlete returned to competition and became an advocate for gastrointestinal health in the eSports community.
A 66-year-old grandmother who cares for her three grandchildren presented with symptoms suggesting pancreatic cancer. Dr. Kurbuz discovered instead a massive benign serous cystadenoma that had displaced multiple organs. The patient refused surgery due to fear of leaving her grandchildren unattended. Dr. Kurbuz arranged temporary foster care through social services and performed a successful laparoscopic procedure. The family created a children's book about 'Grandma's brave hospital adventure.'
A 31-year-old professional fragrance chemist presented with mysterious liver enzyme elevations. Dr. Kurbuz identified occupational exposure to a rare synthetic musk compound that was metabolizing into a hepatotoxic substance in this specific patient's unique biochemistry. Treatment involved complete career modification and supportive liver therapy. The patient transitioned to natural perfumery and developed a line of therapeutic scents for chemotherapy patients.
An 84-year-old former Bosphorus ferry captain presented with what seemed like typical diverticulitis. Dr. Kurbuz recognized instead a rare case of intestinal schistosomiasis contracted sixty years earlier during naval service in freshwater regions, with delayed presentation due to the parasite's unusual lifecycle. Treatment involved praziquantel and careful management of fibrotic complications. The patient's extensive nautical charts helped identify other potential exposure cases among retired mariners.
A 29-year-old vegan ultra-marathon runner presented with severe anemia and gastrointestinal distress. Dr. Kurbuz discovered not just iron deficiency but a rare combination of copper deficiency myeloneuropathy and zinc excess from supplement overuse, creating a complex metabolic imbalance. Treatment involved precise micronutrient rebalancing and dietary counseling. The patient developed a successful nutrition coaching business for endurance athletes with similar issues.
A 45-year-old blind musician presented with unexplained pancreatic insufficiency. Dr. Kurbuz discovered hereditary hemochromatosis that had been missed because visual signs (like skin bronzing) weren't apparent to the patient or previous doctors. Diagnosis relied on the patient's exceptional ability to describe subtle internal sensations. Treatment involved therapeutic phlebotomy adapted for visual impairment. The patient composed a musical piece about bodily rhythms and medical healing.
A 52-year-old luxury yacht stewardess presented with symptoms suggesting gastric cancer. Dr. Kurbuz identified instead a rare foreign body granuloma from a swallowed fish bone that had migrated through the stomach wall years earlier during a seafood tasting event. The minimally invasive retrieval required innovative endoscopic techniques. The patient's employer implemented new food safety protocols for crew dining.
A 37-year-old artificial intelligence researcher presented with cyclical abdominal pain that correlated with specific work projects. Dr. Kurbuz discovered a psychophysiological disorder where the patient's stress response to algorithmic problems manifested as actual gastrointestinal inflammation via the gut-brain axis. Treatment involved cognitive-behavioral therapy adapted for analytical thinkers and mindfulness training. The researcher developed an AI tool to help identify similar patterns in other patients.
My 92-year-old mother, who has complex pediatric-onset conditions from childhood polio, was dismissed by other pediatricians as 'beyond their scope.' Dr. Taspinar was the only specialist who understood that her current respiratory complications stemmed from untreated pediatric sequelae. He didn't just treat her pneumonia; he created a lifelong management plan connecting her childhood history to geriatric care, collaborating with her adult physicians. His approach bridges medical eras most doctors have forgotten.
Our 3-year-old swallowed a rare earth magnet and a steel bolt simultaneously. At 2 AM in the ER, Dr. Taspinar recognized the specific danger of dual magnetic ingestion that others missed. Instead of immediate surgery, he used a novel graded endoscopic technique he'd researched, removing both objects through three precise maneuvers over 90 minutes. What amazed me was his calm explanation to our terrified child using puppet demonstrations between procedures. He turned an emergency into an educational experience.
For our daughter's routine 5-year checkup, Dr. Taspinar spent 45 minutes observing her play with blocks. He noticed asymmetrical grip patterns nobody had mentioned, leading to an early diagnosis of mild hemiplegic cerebral palsy. But instead of alarming us, he framed it as 'neuro-uniqueness' and created a game-based therapy plan. Six months later, her coordination improved 40%. His routine visits uncover what others overlook by truly watching children, not just checking boxes.
Dr. Prof. MD. Hamdi Tutkun provided exceptional care for my psychology condition. The treatment was personalized and effective.