Ultrasound Procedure for Liver Scan Leads to Kidney Mass and Lifesaving Discovery for W.S. Neal Football Coach, Hugh FountainCoach Fountain and Ashton Cary
Ultrasound Procedure for Liver Scan Leads to Kidney Mass and Lifesaving Discovery for W.S. Neal Football Coach, Hugh Fountain
Brewton, AL – W.S. Neal Football Coach Hugh Fountain came to D.W. McMillan Memorial Hospital in the fall of 2022 for a routine ultrasound on the recommendation of his primary care physician, Dr. Dan Raulerson. Ultrasound Tech Ashton Cary saw a mass on his kidney that changed everything.
“I didn't come in for a kidney scan,” stated Fountain. “I came in for a scan on my liver, because I had lost a lot of weight. So I did what my doctor recommended.”
After losing weight very quickly, it is possible to have fatty liver deposits. People who are overweight are subject to having fatty liver disease. Dr. Raulerson wanted to see if the weight loss had improved Coach Fountain’s liver condition or if more steps were necessary to improve his condition.
An ultrasound is one test that can be conducted to evaluate the liver for fatty liver deposits. It was during this procedure, Ultrasound Tech, Ashton Cary noticed a mass on Coach Fountain’s kidney and as a result, he was required to have a surgery to remove it.
“This is a great example of how we pulled together for the benefit of our patient,” stated Stacy Hines, Hospital Administrator. “Coach Fountain worked with his primary physician, who ordered a procedure at our hospital. The results of that procedure prompted a consultation with one of our visiting specialists who, in turn, completed the surgical procedure.”
Fountain mentioned that it was a major surgery, because when he went, the physicians were unsure whether they would be able to save the kidney. Fountain was very appreciative of the care he received. Coach Fountain ended up losing 10% of his kidney during the procedure, but because everyone acted quickly, the cancer was removed and unable to spread further. Coach Fountain was cured from his cancer.
“I really want to thank Ashton for doing her job. You know, sometimes people can be sloppy with work, and my life counted on, my children and my wife, they counted on her finding that out. And I just thought that was great that she did. So I just want to tell her thank you.”
Coach Fountain went on to thank the hospital for being a vital part of the community as well.
“We have a hospital in our community where we can come in and have all these things done that really, we wouldn't be able to do if we didn’t have our hospital. We are very fortunate, a lot of small communities they don't have hospitals anymore.”
