Patient Stories
Born with a congenital heart defect, Kurt Brandau had a difficult health journey, which included a handful of surgeries by the time he was 40. When he came to Mayo Clinic, his heart was strained, and his kidneys were failing. After two transplants, Kurt is now healthy and grateful to his care teams.
What began as a creative backyard project changed Laurie Reese's life forever. Learn how staff at Mayo Clinic in Rochester and Mayo Clinic Health System in Cannon Falls helped her progress after her injury.
Sharon Conoley had been feeling anxious since she received a diagnosis of a large kidney stone in a solitary kidney. But once she made the decision to drive the 400 miles to seek care at Mayo Clinic in Florida, her worries gave way to a sense of peace and comfort.
Scott Brandes learned he had acute leukemia when his wife, Shannon, was 10 weeks pregnant with their first child. The hope of meeting the baby, as well as the love and support of Mayo colleagues, are what kept them going through one of the hardest times of their lives.
After receiving treatment in her home state for a gastrointestinal condition, Vivian Gardner began experiencing new, debilitating cardiac symptoms. This led her, with her husband and two young children, to move across the country for care at Mayo Clinic. Today, Vivian works with the cardiology specialists who gave her hope, sharing her story with patients facing similar challenges.
Two years after being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, Matthew Wilson shows no signs of cancer. Inspired by the care her son received, Mathew's mom, Sophia Wilson, applied and was hired to work at Mayo Clinic in Florida. Matthew is determined to do the same.
After a rare adverse reaction to cancer treatment, Wayne Courtney found himself fighting for his life in the ICU. His loved ones, several of whom work at Mayo Clinic, prayed for his recovery, hoping he would beat the odds and return home. To bring a miracle to reality, they made a surprising promise.
Yeroon Melaku's daughter, Beki, gained hearing at age 9 thanks to the Mayo care team that gave her a chance with a cochlear implant. Today, the nursing station technician expresses her gratitude for the life-changing operation.
Christa Romero had battled Crohn's disease for nearly a decade before her surgery to remove her colon. Throughout her time as a patient, she's grown close with her surgeon and Mayo care team — so close, in fact, the team threw her a surprise birthday party last month while she was recovering.
On Father's Day in 2023, Elizabeth Murphy's father had a heart attack. After initially receiving treatment at another facility, he was transferred to Mayo Clinic — to Murphy's unit. The experience helped her see her colleagues and her patients through new eyes.