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Minnesota Patient Stories

Jayden Aldona Gonzalez

When a brain tumor unexpectedly appeared in 20-month-old Jayden Gonzalez, Mayo Clinic doctors responded quickly to remove the tumor and restore his health. Read Jayden's story.
Tea Allegri

It is a long trip from Caracas, Venezuela, to Rochester, Minn., but quality and efficiency motivate Tea Allegri and her husband, Luigi, to travel to Mayo Clinic when they have a serious problem. Read Tea's story.
Jon Anglemyer

A kidney-liver transplant cured Jon Anglemyer's hyperoxaluria, a rare kidney disorder. Now, 10 years after transplant, this active husband and father says, "It's all turned out how I hoped." Read Jon's story. Read Jon's story.
Barbara Bachman

Barbara Bachman, an amateur archeologist, is "back in the dirt" and enjoying life after heart valve surgery at Mayo Clinic. Read Barbara's story.
Michael Bany

Michael Bany inherited a heart condition that killed his father at 38. An implanted device gives him hope for a long, full life. Read Michael's story.
Debbie Baselle

When Debbie Baselle learned about a Mayo Clinic clinical trial to control hot flashes, she was eager to sign up. Read Debbie's story.
Laurie Beach

A rare brain tumor couldn't stop Laurie Beach from enjoying the life she dreamed of. Read Laurie's story.
Ann Beasley

Ann Beasley was only too willing to donate one of her kidneys to her husband, but their blood types were incompatible. A procedure at Mayo Clinic called ABO incompatible kidney transplants made her gift possible. Read Ann's story.
Taylor Beauseau

Most parents don't like to see their child up in arms, but for Taylor Beauseau's parents, that's a beautiful thing. Read Taylor's story.
Shirley Beltz

Shirley Beltz enjoys being a grandmother. And a liver transplant has given Shirley more time to spend with her grandson. Read Shirley's story.
Mary Berman

Dr. Mary Berman found herself "mesmerized with Mayo" when she was treated for breast cancer. "As a doctor, it was stunning to see how well medicine can be practiced." Read Mary's story.
Shelby Birch

Shelby Birch's whole family gave up mashed potatoes to help her with a diet that controls her seizures. Read Shelby's story.
Michael Blake

Michael Blake had good intentions when it came to being screened for colon cancer. "But I always found some reason not to get there." Then he read about "virtual colonoscopy." Read Michael's story.
Gary Blinn

Gary Blinn lives life to the fullest after a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic. Read Gary's story.
Harper Blommers

Harper Blommers could not touch her head because of an injury suffered at birth. After surgery at Mayo, she is now happily dancing like her sister.
Read Harper's' story.
Mary Jane Bollinger

Transplant recipient becomes transplant volunteer. Read Mary Jane's story.
Laurie Bongle

Laurie Bongle, an epilepsy patient, has reclaimed her life after surgery at Mayo Clinic stopped her seizures. Read Laurie's story.
Janice Boobar

A second opinion at Mayo Clinic helped Janice Boobar get back to normal. "My time at Mayo has to be the best medical experience I ever had." Read Janice's story.
David Booker

David Booker's participation in a Mayo Clinic research study furthered heart disease research and made him feel better. Read David's story.
Frank Bourn

Successful atrial fibrillation ablation put Frank Bourn back in the race. Read Frank's story.
Fred Breier

A living donor kidney transplant from Rita Breier to her husband, Fred, was a special Christmas gift. Read Fred's story.
Kristina Brinkman

After surgery to remove a cavernous malformation, Kristina Brinkman's determination helps her recovery. Read Kristina's story.
Melissa Bruesehoff

Melissa despaired of living independently. But epilepsy surgery opened a window to a rich full life. Read Melissa's story.
Mike Carlson

Prostate cancer treatment puts Mike Carlson on the right path. Read Mike's story.
Christine Chapa

A new liver makes "normal" toddler experiences possible for Christine Chapa. Read Christine's story.
Ryan Chubbuck

Ryan Chubbuck was born with an extremely narrow airway, a life-threatening condition. An innovative airway reconstruction procedure has left Ryan, and his parents, breathing easy. Read Ryan's story.
Wendy Cook

Mayo surgeons met halfway to successfully remove a rare dumbbell tumor from a Wisconsin nurse. Read Wendy's story.
Kathy Crandall

Successful brain tumor treatment at Mayo Clinic starts Kathy Crandall on a new path in life. Read Kathy's story.
Emily Crawford

Emily Crawford's summer vacation included an unexpected event — brain tumor surgery at Mayo Clinic. Read Emily's story.
Valerie Culp

A new MS treatment at Mayo Clinic 14 years ago put Iowa mom back on her feet. Read Valerie's story.
Shanna Decker

When Shanna Decker was 7 years old, she was diagnosed with bone cancer. She received treatment at Mayo Clinic and today is a healthy, active young lady dedicated to touching the lives of others. Read Shanna's story.
Andrew and Mariah Doehling

Andrew and Mariah Doehling, the youngest children of their family, both suffered from rare kidney disorders as infants, which resulted in kidney transplants for both. Read Andrew and Mariah's story.
Mark Drobac

Mark Drobac was in his garage pulling spark plugs out of his van when he suddenly got the most severe headache he had ever had. An aneurysm in his brain had ruptured. Read Mark's story.
Connie Eckley

Without warning, as Connie Eckley turned to talk to her daughter in the backseat of the car, she passed out and went into a seizure. After epilepsy surgery, Connie is safely back behind the wheel. Read Connie's story.
Karima Edmonds

Karima Edmonds is sometimes a little tired. She's not sure if it's due to the new baby or the new liver, both of which came during the same week. Read Karima's story.
Warren Farwell

When Warren Farwell learned that he had ocular melanoma, he joined a research trial at Mayo Clinic comparing two treatments for this type of cancer. Read Warren's story.
Richard Feist

Like most men his age, Richard Feist says he needs to watch what he eats and keep active. Life is pretty much back to normal since his liver transplant. Read Richard's story.
Jack Ferris

Jack Ferris says that receiving laser treatment for his enlarged prostate seemed easier than getting a tooth filled. Read Jack's story.
Chuck Fisher

Chuck Fisher continues to share his time and talents, thanks to a heart transplant at Mayo Clinic. Read Chuck's story.
Lindsey Fleener

Lindsey Fleener had hyperhidrosis — causing her hands to sweat profusely and preventing her from enjoying simple activities others may take for granted. Read Lindsey's story.
JoAnn Forster

Left Ventricular Assist System (LVAS) is the best option while JoAnn Forster waits for a heart transplant. Read JoAnn's story.
Deborah Evens and Gayla Holmgren

Vitamin B12 imaging gives breast cancer survivors another option. Read Deb and Gayla's story.
Christina George

Epilepsy surgery was a scary thing, but it was the miracle Christina needed to go forth and grow. Read Christina's story.
Rolande Graves

Professor Rolande Graves has faced her breast cancer the way she has faced any obstacle — with determination and a positive attitude. Read Rolande's story.
Jeanne Greenfield

Cancer survivor for 17 years and still counting Read Jeanne's story.
John Greller

John Greller was a hero in the pool at the National Kidney Foundation Transplant Games. He gave his medals to his real heroes — his wife, his (donor) son, and the Mayo Transplant Team. Read John's story.
Alyce Griffin

Heart valve surgery at Mayo Clinic helped Alyce Griffin stay active and healthy. Read Alyce's story.
Paul Hamernik

For stock car racer Paul Hamernik, the "green light" came in the form of laser surgery to address an enlarged prostate. Read Paul's story.
Wendy Hamilton

While hiking on a trip with her daughter, Wendy Hamilton often had to stop and rest. She attributed it to higher altitudes and middle age, but Hamilton was diagnosed later with stage 4 peripheral T-cell lymphoma. A bone marrow transplant got her back on the right path. Read Wendy's story.
Chad Hanson

Therapy and a positive attitude have helped Chad Hanson gain a level of independence unimaginable after breaking his neck in an accident. Read Chad's story.
Tiffany Hanson

Epilepsy surgery ended Tiffany Hanson's seizures and started a new, active life. Read Tiffany's story.
Tony Harringer

Tony Harringer has a two-handed grasp on life after brachial plexus surgery at Mayo Clinic. Read Tony's story.
Victor Hartman

Mayo Clinic's Cardiometabolic Program teaches Victor Hartman the skills necessary to make good choices and maintain long-term, healthy nutrition and exercise habits. Read Victor's story.
Alvin Haworth

When a heart condition threatened to slow down Alvin Haworth, he found his answer at Mayo Clinic. Read Alvin's story.
Heather Hinton

Successful heart surgery at Mayo Clinic allows Heather Hinton to live a normal life despite a rare genetic disorder. Read Heather's story.
Cindy Howden

From the moment she woke up after her terrible accident, she was certain of one thing: she could recover. "I'm not very good at not being very good," she says. Read Cindy's story.
Dustin Huber

A family tragedy makes Michelle Tipton and Dustin Huber active in educating others about long QT syndrome. Read Dustin's story.
Carla Huelsmann

Carla Huelsmann was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 2 years old. She learned to manage her disease, but when she was a young adult, her seizures threatened to take over her daily activities. Surgery has given Carla her life back. Read Carla's story.
Bill Hunt

Bill Hunt found a way to shake anxiety and uncontrollable shaking with help from Mayo's Integrative Medicine program. Read Bill's story.
Margie Hartmann and Jessica Nastrom

Shopping, going to lunch, seeing a movie — just a few things mothers and daughters do together. Add having Gamma Knife™ surgery to the list for Margie Hartmann and her daughter, Jessica Nastrom. Read Margie and Jessica's story.
Jasper Johnikin

Innovative technology and surgical expertise helped Mayo Clinic physicians save kidney cancer patient Jasper Johnikin's kidney — and his life. Read Jasper's story.
Carolyn Johnson

Jay and I both decided that if anything is ever wrong with us, we're going back to Mayo Clinic. Read Carolyn's story.
Maxine Kaehler

Maxine Kaehler is enjoying life's little details again after sight-saving cornea transplant surgery. Read Maxine's story.
Gary Kahle

Gary Kahle is back on the farm after mitral valve surgery at Mayo Clinic. Read Gary's story.
Jack Keller

A thorough search for prostate cancer proved to be the right approach for Jack Keller. Read Jack's story.
Corynn Kelly

Corynn Kelly's brachial plexus nerves were injured at birth. After surgery at Mayo Clinic, Corynn is now keeping pace with her older sisters. Read Corynn's story.
Lisa Kirkland

Mayo surgeons fixed her heart 40 years ago. Now Lisa Kirkland, M.D. is a staff physician at the place "that has always been magical in my thoughts." Read Lisa's story.
Theresa Kressin

Theresa's battle with an eating disorder has been a long and difficult journey. But, thanks to her mom and Mayo's eating disorders program, it has a happy ending. Read Theresa's story.
Geoffrey Kurland

A novel treatment brings a positive ending for a patient with a rare cancer. Read Geoffrey's story.
Courtney Lange

Despite cerebral palsy, Courtney Lange keeps up with her twin brother — thanks to the Motion Analysis Lab at Mayo Clinic. Read Courtney's story.
Lin Lawrence

Heart valve replacement surgery at Mayo Clinic keeps Lin Lawrence flying high. Read Lin's story.
Carolyn Lengh

Carolyn Lengh, a principal at a private school in Milwaukee, knows the wear and tear countless hours in a demanding job can cause. But that didn't explain the back pain she'd felt for six months. Successful removal of a spinal cord tumor brought relief. Read Carolyn's story.
Jill Lewis

Neither Jill Lewis nor her primary care providers could figure out why allergies and sinus infections plagued her. Removal of a rare, cancerous tumor in her nasal cavity, offered relief. Read Jill's story.
Charlotte Markle

Charlotte Markle is healthy and strong 40 years after being one of Mayo's first kidney transplant patients. Read Charlotte's story.
Robert McGuire

A heart transplant added ten years to Butch McGuire's time with his family. Read Robert's story.
Colter Meinert

For Colter Meiner, a heart transplant when he was six weeks old offered the chance for a normal life after being born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Read Colter's story.
Gary Melin

"Donating is the Right Thing to Do" Read Gary's story.
Tony Merriweather

Tony Merriweather stays active after heart valve repair at Mayo Clinic. Read Tony's story.
Nelda Metz

Nelda Metz had been healthy all of her 49 years. Imagine her surprise, when she learned she had a malignant brain tumor. But incision-free brain surgery had her back with her family quickly. Read Nelda's story.
Mae Miles

Mae Miles' life is "in rhythm" after treatment at Mayo Clinic for atrial fibrillation. Read Mae's story.
James Miller

Early detection and the right medication help Jim Miller live a normal life. That's the outlook for most patients who have myasthenia gravis, say Mayo neurologists. Read James' story.
Simuel Millwood

Tina Millwood and her son Simuel the day before his liver transplant. Read Simuel's story.
Randall Minion

Diagnosed with prostate cancer at a relatively young age, Dr. Randall Minion chose robotic surgery as the best way to maintain his full, active lifestyle. Read Randall's story. Read Randall's story.
Tiffany Moore

Before Tiffany Moore and her husband would start a family, Tiffany wanted to get her psoriasis under control. She traveled to Mayo Clinic in Rochester for the Goeckerman treatment. Read Tiffany's story.
Libby Morsheimer

Heart surgery at Mayo Clinic cures Ebstein's anomaly for New York woman. Read Libby's story.
Rachel Murnane

A six-hour-long surgery at Mayo Clinic followed by at-home recuperation — "I just lounged around the whole summer" — describes the path to freedom from scoliosis for Wisconsin native Rachel Murnane. Says the 15-year-old: "Looking back, it was a little surprising how easy it was to get through." Read Rachel's story.
Sean Murphy

"I didn't want to be on pain killers for the rest of my life," says Sean Murphy. After surgery for a rare brain condition, his headaches are gone and he is enjoying life again. Read Sean's story.
Bob Murray

A case of chicken pox leads to Bob Murray's heart valve surgery at Mayo Clinic, and fatherhood. Read Bob's story.
Greg Nelson

A difficult-to-diagnose cancer brought Greg Nelson to his knees, literally. But a bone marrow transplant put him back on his feet. Read Greg's story.
Kelsey O'Leary

Early detection and dedication to her bracing therapy brought a rare outcome to Kelsey O'Leary's scoliosis – permanent improvement. Read Kelsey's story.
Wade Olson

Wade Olson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, as a 30-year-old science teacher, had done ample reading on Marfan syndrome before visiting Mayo Clinic for a diagnosis in 1984. Read Wade's story.
Kelly Parish

Mayo Clinic's careful management of Kelly Parish's MS keeps her quality of life "good." Read Kelly's story.
Stefani Pentiuk

Stefani Pentiuk is back on the basketball court after her heart transplant. Read Stefani's story.
Don Peter

Don Peter is up and running after heart surgery for a rare birth defect at Mayo Clinic. Read Don's story.
Milo Pietz

Lung cancer surgery at Mayo Clinic returns South Dakota singer to an active life. Read Milo's story.
Brittany Rathbun

When a dedicated softball pitcher needed help getting a handle on her game, Mayo Clinic surgeons stepped up to the plate. Read Brittany's story.
Mary Jo Renner

Recently Mary Jo Renner walked up the bleachers to watch her son's basketball game. That may not sound remarkable, but Renner did it without experiencing chest pain — a major accomplishment for a woman who received a new heart in August 2002. Read Mary Jo's story.
Edward Richmond

A kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic helped Skip Richmond get back to normal. Read Edward's story.
John Rizzo

John Rizzo was deeply concerned when he was diagnosed with a rare disease, amyloidosis. "Fortunately, I was in the right place at the right time and met the right people." Read John's story.
Ed Robertson

Ed Robertson is proof that you are never too old to keep living. Read Ed's story.
Danielle Roeder

A Mayo Clinic doctor, genetic testing, and a common drug give a young girl wings to fly. Read Danielle's story.
Tomi Roinila

A living donor kidney transplant keeps Tomi Roinila on the ice with his young sons. Read Tomi's story.
Deborah Rothstein

Comprehensive heart care and surgery at Mayo Clinic helped Deborah Rothstein and her husband have a child. Read Deborah's story.
Sonia Salzman

An unruptured brain aneurysm doesn't worry Sonia Salzman because of the close monitoring she receives at Mayo Clinic. Read Sonia's story.
Donald Sannes

Surgery for bladder cancer removed his disease and preserved his function. Read Donald's story.
Luniece Schless

Mayo doctors' caring attitude gave Luniece Schless the courage to undertake a life-changing surgery. Read Luniece's story.
Mary Schmidt

Mary Schmidt gave birth to her son, and he gave life back to her with a living donor kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic. Read Mary's story.
Patricia Schroder

After her recent heart repair, Patricia Schroder is breathing easier and feeling stronger than ever before. Read Patricia's story.
Bruce Schwartau

A liver transplant for primary sclerosing cholangitis brought new strength to Bruce Schwartau. "It's a joy to be able to play [golf] and walk. To many people, that doesn't mean much. But I know what it's like to be weak." Read Bruce's story.
Sara Sheeran

After a kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic, Sara Sheeran helps other children facing transplant. Read Sara's story.
John Simpson

John Simpson credits diligent Mayo physicians with catching several different cancers early. Read John's story.
Dan Smith

Dan Smith realizes dream to explore space after brain surgery at Mayo Clinic Read Dan's story.
Danny Snodgrass

Laser microsurgery was the right choice for throat cancer patient Danny Snodgrass. Read Danny's story.
Charley Solano

Emergency heart surgery at Mayo Clinic corrects a congenital defect and keeps Charley Solano "raring to go." Read Charley's story.
Twilla Standlee

It wasn't multiple sclerosis that was weakening Twilla Standlee's legs, and she is walking today because of Mayo's finding. Read Twilla's story.
Rodney Steinmetz

Cardiac ablation procedure at Mayo Clinic puts life back in focus for this retired ophthalmologist. Read Rodney's story.
Amanda Stocchero

Incredible optimism helps Amanda Stocchero handle life with severe epilepsy. Read Amanda's story.
Tom Terrill

At 73, a lung transplant has meant a return to golfing, travel, and volunteer work for Tom Terrill; the oldest lung transplant recipient at Mayo Clinic. Read Tom's story.
Pete Thalmann

Pete Thalmann's Thanksgiving blessing came in the form of a heart. Read Pete's story.
Emily Tong

Integrated treatment at Mayo Clinic to remove a spinal tumor gives Emily Tong the chance to walk again. Read Emily's story.
Tiffani Trowbridge

Mayo Clinic patient Tiffani Trowbridge brings home her first paycheck — a miracle according to her family. Read Tiffani's story.
Jim Turner

Cancer treatment and heart surgery at Mayo Clinic helped Jim Turner live actively in retirement. Read Jim's story.
Cecilia Van Gorp

Doctors told Cecilia Van Gorp she might have ALS. She was thrilled to hear a different story from Mayo Clinic. Read Cecilia's story.
Wendy Villars

New monitoring device offers more pulmonary hypertension treatment options for Wendy Villars. Read Wendy's story.
Janet Vittone

Janet Vittone, M.D., two sisters and her mother were diagnosed with breast cancer in the same year — and received the same swift treatment at Mayo Clinic. Read Janet's story.
Hanna Vsetecka

For Hanna Vsetecka, spinal bracing to correct her scoliosis hasn't slowed her down for a moment. In fact, the athletic teen has turned her experience into education for others via a prize-winning
4-H exhibit. Read Hanna's story.
Andy Walch

Surgery and an investigational drug give brain tumor patient much more than anyone expected. Read Andy's story.
Isaac Wangen

Isaac Wangen has been wrestling with ectodermal dysplasia since he was born. The spunky fifth grader isn't about to let his condition take him down. Read Isaac's story.
Cory Watt

Some dads give their sons their names. Others give their sons their old baseball gloves. Shayne Watt gave his son Cory one of his kidneys. Read Cory's story.
Rylie Weigel

Twelve hours after Rylie Weigel was born in Thief River Falls, Minn., she started turning blue in the face and had difficulty breathing. She had a severe form of HLHS and would needed a heart transplant. Read Rylie's story.
Barbara Welch

Barbara Welch found relief for a persistent digestive problem after months without an answer. Read Barbara's story.
Isabelle Werner

Surgery to correct HLHS has given Isabelle Werner a special heart — and she shares it with others. Read Isabelle's story.
Faith Westby

Faith Westby shows what is possible with expert medical care and a family who has faith. Read Faith's story.
Danny Williams

A stroke at 17? Mayo's treatment allowed Danny Williams to keep playing the sports he loved. Read Danny's story.
Bobbie Wilson

A double lung transplant means freedom to Bobbie Wilson, who has made the happy adjustment to life without oxygen cords. "When I did my lung capacity tests for the first time after transplant, I cried because it was so effortless." Read Bobbie's story.
Jody Wobbe

Two jobs, four kids and myasthenia gravis — this young mother does a remarkable job of managing a busy life and a serious neuromuscular disease. Read Jody's story.
Charlotte Wolter

Experimental therapy for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma put Charlotte back on the lake. Read Charlotte's story.
Marian Zander

Medication and diet help Marian Zander cope with cardiomyopathy. Read Marian's story.
Wendy Zins

Long-term cancer survivor who had a bone marrow transplant gives others hope. Read Wendy's story.