The Mayo Clinic experience and patient stories Our patients tell us that the quality of their interactions, our attention to detail and the efficiency of their visits mean health care like they've never experienced. See the stories of satisfied Mayo Clinic patients. Looking back on pancreatic cancer, 5 years laterOn October 23, 2018, Rita Krueger underwent surgery for pancreatic cancer. Mark Truty, M.D., a Mayo Clinic hepatobiliary and pancreatic surgeon, removed her pancreas, duodenum, spleen and left adrenal gland and removed and reconstructed several blood vessels involved in her tumor. Within hours of surgery, a pathology report revealed that Rita was cancer-free. Eight months prior, another surgeon had told Rita to get her affairs in order. Rita and her husband, Jim, sought a second opinion… Colorado ultramarathoner delivers on a promise to his orthopedic surgeon - and morePhoto courtesy of: Petar Dopchev Visuals Wayne Clark grew up on a horse farm in New Paltz, New York. In seventh grade, he started cross-country running and Nordic skiing. Sports defined his life. He was good at them and loved being active. Then came the pain in both hips – something that would shift his plans for his life. The pain got worse over time, especially during the running season. He saw several doctors. He… Unexpected vacation ending leads to rare tumor discoveryKelly and Jered Iverson of Grand Meadow, Minnesota, had planned a perfect Hawaiian vacation for themselves and their daughters, Isabelle (Izzy) and Emmy. In March, they enjoyed seven days on Maui, where they went whale watching, attended a luau, toured the Road to Hana and spent hours on the beach. "Izzy is a great traveler," says Jered of his 11-year-old daughter, who was born with a developmental delay. "She likes to see all the sights… Mississippi man finds relief at Mayo Clinic for excruciating back painEdward Markle was desperate. Despite receiving nerve blocks from his doctors, Edward says the pain from two herniated discs had become excruciating and unrelenting. He could not sit or walk without pain. He slept on the floor, two hours a night. He was increasingly worried about the future. "It shut my quality of life down to almost zero," he says. "I couldn't move. I could not get out. I could not find a way to… More adventures thanks to advanced cancer care, robotic surgeryStacy Weisensel and her husband Joshua had a goal: to take their daughters to as many national parks as possible. But in the summer of 2021, while trying to enjoy the breathtaking views of Yellowstone National Park with her family, Stacy was distracted by a nagging pain in her esophagus. Over the next few months, Stacy’s symptoms grew worse and ultimately led to a frightening diagnosis — stomach cancer. A life-changing diagnosis In July 2021,… 'My life is in the right hands.' Surgery gives California woman hope after cancer diagnosisVishakha Majithia and her husband Thomas had started to envision their lives after retirement — visiting family in India, traveling around the world, and seeing their only son complete his oncology fellowship and start a family. But those plans quickly changed in mid-2018 when Vishakha received frightening news. She had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer — the tumor was considered inoperable. While the diagnosis came as a shock, it explained the seemingly unexplained symptoms Vishakha… Heart Transplant Innovation: New 'heart in a box' technology provides gift of life to Arizona man, as couple prepares to celebrate 50-year anniversaryJeff and Trish Robinson Heart Transplant Innovation: Breakthrough technology known as "heart in a box" is giving hope to thousands of people in need of heart transplants. Traditionally, donor hearts were retrieved from patients who were declared brain dead, but their heart remained beating. "Heart in a box" allows for donation after circulatory death (DCD), where the heart has stopped beating. The new system is expected to widen the donor pool, thus getting more donor… Making surgery work for Mayo nurse through Bloodless Medicine and Surgery ProgramKenichea Nichols, a nursing education specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, is used to advocating for her patients and colleagues. When she learned she needed a serious operation, she found herself leaning on colleagues to advocate for her. That meant looking at surgery in a different way. Kenichea has a history of having iron deficiency anemia and low red blood cell count — two factors that increase the risk of surgical complications. It also means… A new heart, new hope for a newbornTravis Heidt was holding his son, Franklin, for the first time. "It was a very joyous time and also an overwhelming time," says the first-time parent. He was unsure of how to hold Franklin, unsure of how to care for him. But Travis knew that he and his wife, Morgan, would figure it out. They had a beautiful boy. He and Morgan had created a family. "The second that he came out, something changed inside… Complex spine surgery helps Belinda Purdy walk againBelinda Purdy isn't the type of person who enjoys sitting on the sidelines. She and her family love to travel, swim, eat out and spend time outdoors. She's used to being on her feet all day and loves to walk 3 or 4 miles per day. But in spring 2020, Belinda felt like she was watching the world go by as she sat still. The problem was debilitating pain in her hip and low back.… Request an appointment ResearchCosts & insurance Sept. 13, 2022 Share on: FacebookTwitter SurgerySectionsOverviewRequest an appointmentTests & proceduresConditions treatedDoctorsExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchPatient storiesCosts & insuranceNews from Mayo ClinicReferrals SectionsRequest an appointmentOverviewTests & proceduresConditions treatedDoctorsExpertise & rankingsLocations, travel & lodgingClinical trialsResearchPatient storiesCosts & insuranceNews from Mayo ClinicReferrals ORG-20475391 Medical Departments & Centers Surgery