The Wake-Up Call

In 1955, less than a year after dodging the cancer scare, Connie was back at Mayo Clinic.

"I was exhausted, working around the clock, never taking a vacation. My body just gave out. Friends drove me from Minneapolis to Rochester in the middle of the night."

At Mayo Clinic, she says, "I saw a flock of doctors. They said, 'Change your life or you'll have a nervous breakdown.'"

Connie sought reassurance from the staff, then requested to see Dr. Priestley. Her care team was happy to arrange it.

He came into the room and said, "Hello, Connie. Why are you here?" and listened intently to her. His advice after hearing Connie's story: "Listen to what the doctors say."