Patient Stories
October 10, 2019
Two Years After Stroke, Justin Lanners Wins Age Group in Half-Marathon Walk
By In the Loop 
Justin Lanners remembers the exact day of his stroke. “April 18, 2017,” he says. “It was a Tuesday.” That day, Justin awoke at 5 a.m. with what he describes as a “weird buzzing noise” in his right ear. Still half-awake, Justin tuned out the buzzing as he made his way to an upstairs bathroom. “I […]
Tags: Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Saint Marys Hospital, stroke
October 8, 2019
Twenty Years After Transplant, Heart is Beating Strong
By In the Loop
Angie Mikkelson used to want to fly under the radar and not tell others she’d had a heart transplant. But then she realized the effect she could have by sharing her story and encouraging others to donate.
Tags: Congenital Heart Defect, heart transplant, Parachute Mitral Valve
October 8, 2019
‘Barb’s Beanies’ Help Cover Cancer Patients in Love and Support
By In the Loop
Mother-daughter duo Dani and Aleia Johnson originally created their unique head scarves for their mom/grandma, Barb Fisher. The scarves now are part of a care kit for others battling ovarian cancer.
Tags: Chemotherapy, CT scan, Dani Johnson, Healthy Living Program, Hope Lodge, Mayo Clinic Cancer Education Center, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Ovarian Cancer, Ronald McDonald House
October 3, 2019
Alice Kalin Was Told She Had a Year to Live — Then She Came to Mayo Clinic
By In the Loop
More than 60 years ago, Alice Kalin was told the cancer in her leg would end her life. But a trip to Mayo Clinic and some advice from her surgeon would change everything.
Tags: Dr. Keith Stewart, Dr. William Bickel, Orthopedic Surgery
October 1, 2019
News Story Prompts Jan Germundson to Donate Kidney to Young Boy
By In the Loop
A newspaper story about 12-year-old Ashton Hanson and his need for a kidney caught the eye of Jan Germundson, who then stepped in to give Ashton the gift of life.
Tags: Dr. Mikel Prieto, Kidney transplant, Living Donor Transplant, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Mayo Clinic Transplant Center
September 26, 2019
After Knee Replacement, David Knisely Records 10 Million Steps, 5,000 Miles on New Knee
By In the Loop
Although it’s been nearly three years since his knee replacement, David Knisely keeps in touch with his Mayo Clinic surgeon to report on where — and how far — that knee has taken him in retirement.
Tags: Dr. Cedric Ortiguera, knee replacement, Mayo Clinic in Florida, Orthopedic Surgery
September 26, 2019
Parents of Premature Babies Find Special Support System: Each Other
By In the Loop
The experience of having a child in the NICU often creates connections among families, who provide a unique source of support made possible through shared experience.
September 24, 2019
Get Me to the Church on Time: Transplant Patient Surprises Daughter on Wedding Day
By In the Loop
Just three weeks after a combined liver and kidney transplant at Mayo Clinic in Florida, Chris Nutter was able to fly to New York to surprise his daughter and walk her down the aisle.
Tags: Dr. Burcin Taner, Dr. Raj Satyanarayana, Dr. Shennen Mao, Jennifer Ayers, Kidney transplant, liver transplant, Mayo Clinic in Florida, Transplant Center
September 19, 2019
Patient Pens ‘Prayer for Successful Surgery’ for All at Mayo Clinic
By In the Loop
On the eve of surgery to fix a pinched nerve, Father Eugene Doyle composed a prayer for all those at Mayo Clinic who would be caring for him the following morning.
Tags: Department of Neurosurgery, Dr. Mohamad Bydon, Mayo Clinic in Rochester
September 12, 2019
Potato Head Project a Gift of Love and Hope for Families of Micro-Preemies
By In the Loop
Kristin and Eric Moan’s twins arrived four months early, thrusting the couple into the unfamiliar world of micro-preemies. They’ve used that experience to support other families like theirs.
Tags: Dr. Erick Bothun, micro-preemie, neonatal intensive care unit, Pediatric Ophthalmology, placental abruption