Elmer Rasmussen

Dee and Elmer Rasmussen embrace healthy life

Dee and Elmer Rasmussen, married just three years, share a love of travel. Still, the concept of driving more than 1,000 miles from their home in Nebraska to the Arizona desert for medical care seemed far outside of their comfort zone.

But when it became clear that Elmer required comprehensive medical treatment for what they feared was cancer in January 2005, Dee packed their bags, coaxed her husband into the car and witnessed the fields of Nebraska disappearing in her rear view mirror as they headed south and west.

Destination: Mayo Clinic in Arizona

Dee's mission was grounded in history. Both Elmer's late wife – and Dee's late husband – had died of cancer. Dee was determined that she not lose Elmer. She was willing to fight, and made a conscious decision to seek Mayo Clinic's unique, integrated approach to medical care. For Elmer, his connection to Mayo dates back to 1957, when his father was successfully treated for cancer at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Seeking Serenity

Determined to be at her husband's side as a very engaged observer in his care, Dee slept in a chair by Elmer's bed at Mayo Clinic Hospital for 44 nights. Elmer underwent esophageal surgery and removal of his cancerous tumor. The day he was to be released from the hospital, he developed respiratory complications and cardiac issues, requiring 30 days in the ICU. During the long days, Dee's singular respite from the rigors of hospital life was the serene, healing surroundings of the cactus gardens in front of the hospital, which she visited often.

The couple made it through and got the go-ahead to return home to Nebraska, where Elmer seemed to progress, with the help of home nursing care. However, after seven months, on an unforgettable day in February 2006, Elmer again showed signs of distress. And again, Dee packed the car, positioned her husband in the passenger seat, and set the odometer for Phoenix.

Clearly, when it comes to "road trips" for the Rasmussens, a pattern was beginning to emerge.

That visit to Mayo Clinic was a pivotal one. Elmer required heart catheterization and a stent, and further tests revealed he also needed a pacemaker. Still, he was not to be counted out. Within a matter of days, with the pacemaker in place, Elmer and Dee were headed back to their familiar Cornhusker state.

This time, recognizing the possibilities of good weather and proximity to Mayo Clinic, Dee and Elmer made the decision to also purchase a home in Arizona for the winter, saving Nebraska for the balmy summers.

A Take-Charge Attitude

But on one of those warm Nebraska days in June 2007, Elmer experienced a bout of dizziness while getting ready to attend their granddaughter's graduation ceremony. Fearing a heart attack, Dee wisely chose a quick trip to the emergency room instead, where later she again instituted her "take charge" abilities and told Elmer to get ready. A trip to Arizona was again in their very near future. And again, they steeled themselves for the long drive to the Grand Canyon state.

A visit to Dr. Farouk Mookadam, a cardiovascular diseases physician at Mayo Clinic, confirmed that Elmer had not experienced a heart attack after all, but would need a course of treatment that involved medicine, exercise and healthy living.

For Elmer, who had been treated at Mayo Clinic for cancer in early 2005, the fact that the physicians collaborate, talk and use the team approach is a real plus. The Mayo team also included Dr. Louis Lanza, a cardiovascular surgeon. "Dr. Lanza and his team are incredible. They saved my life," he attests. "I turned my life over to them."

'How Close was I?'

Elmer admits that every time he walked into Mayo Clinic Hospital, "I wondered if I would walk out, but we always do, and we are happy." He also got up the nerve to ask Dr. Lanza the difficult question, "How close was I to knocking on heaven's gate?" He was told by Dr. Lanza that the door was closed and "not ready for you yet." But Elmer good-naturedly retorted that he swears he was "close enough to count the screws keeping the door on the gates!"

Elmer is keeping those doors at a pretty safe distance these days. He looks forward to walks with Dee, paddling around in the pool and riding his three-wheeled bike. But importantly, he saves his real stamina for being with his eight children, 18 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.