After being diagnosed with high-risk acute myeloid leukemia at age 19, Sky Toyne came to Mayo Clinic for a potentially curative stem cell transplant. Thanks to advances in transplant medicine, a lifesaving donation from her brother, and comprehensive care that addressed both her physical and emotional recovery, Sky overcame leukemia and returned to the life she loves.  

In August 2021, Sky Toyne had just begun her sophomore year of college at a university in Iowa, where she was born and raised. With a love of learning and being active in organizations, she was excitedly thinking about her next semester. Should she run for an executive position in her sorority or study abroad in Australia?  

Soon after the fall semester began, Sky started getting bad headaches. As the weeks went on, she experienced more symptoms — frequent colds, extreme neck aches and fatigue.   

On Oct. 7, Sky woke with intense head and neck pain and a whooshing sound in her ears. Her mom drove her to the student health facility, where initial tests were inconclusive. Bloodwork, however, revealed dangerously low blood counts, and Sky went to the hospital immediately. 

After receiving blood transfusions in the emergency department, Sky was admitted to the oncology floor. A bone marrow biopsy the next morning confirmed leukemia.  

Further testing showed that Sky had acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and she had several mutations that put her at high risk of recurrence. To give her the best chance at a cure, she would need a bone marrow, or stem cell transplant.  

"I decided to go to Mayo Clinic since it's the best hospital in the world and a leader in transplant," says Sky.  

She completed induction chemotherapy at the hospital in Iowa and traveled with her parents to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to meet Dr. William Hogan, a transplant hematologist. 

"His expertise was astounding, and we immediately knew I was in good hands," says Sky.  

Hope through innovation 

"Sky's leukemia carried genetic abnormalities that we know place patients at much higher risk of relapse if treated with chemotherapy alone," says Dr. Hogan. "Fortunately, she had responded very well to her initial treatment and achieved a deep remission, which gave us an important opportunity to move toward a potentially curative stem cell transplant." 

Stem cell donor matching depends on inherited immune system genes called human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. People with mixed ancestry, like Sky, often inherit combinations of HLA genes that are less commonly represented in donor registries, which means there may be fewer unrelated volunteers who share that exact genetic combination. 

Because a perfectly matched unrelated donor wasn't readily available, Sky required a haploidentical, or half-matched, bone marrow transplant. Unlike a traditional transplant, a haploidentical transplant uses a donor who shares approximately half of the patient's immune system genes — usually a parent, child or sibling.  

"This has probably been one of the biggest advances in transplantation over the past two decades, allowing nearly every patient to have a potential donor," says Dr. Hogan. 

Sky's brother, Speed, agreed to be her donor.  

"I will admit that I was nervous about the donation procedure, but the decision to be the donor was an easy one," says Speed. "It was simply what needed to be done to give my sister a chance." 

The therapies Sky would receive could permanently affect reproductive function. Her care team worked closely with reproductive endocrinology colleagues so she could undergo egg retrieval before transplant.  

"Our goal is never simply to cure leukemia — it's to help patients return to meaningful, fulfilling lives," says Dr. Hogan. "We needed to consider her long-term quality of life, including her fertility, education, career goals, emotional well-being and the many decades of life that hopefully lie ahead after treatment. Those conversations were just as important as the medical treatment itself." 

On Feb. 25, 2022, Sky received the transplant and celebrated her "rebirthday." As the months progressed, Sky was recovering physically, but she began struggling mentally.  

"Transplant recovery is not just a physical process. That's why psychological support is an essential part of transplant care, not an afterthought," says Dr. Hogan. 

Honoring her past and embracing the future 

"The nurses and physician assistants were amazing. They would give me pep talks," says Sky. "A nurse who also had leukemia when she was younger suggested the idea to hold a ceremony for my past self."  

Sky, who had lost her hair, bought a wig, and the nurse made her a flower crown. With her care team and loved ones in attendance, people wrote and read eulogies, and then she did the same, saying goodbye to her past self. 

"It was so meaningful that my care team did that for me, and it really helped me get over my mental block," says Sky. "What I appreciated most about Mayo Clinic was its holistic approach. They cared for my mental health just as much as my physical health, which helped me have the best possible outcome. I felt seen by every staff member, many of whom became like family." 

On her 100^th day post-transplant, Sky rang a bell to celebrate her semipermanent remission. She's hoping to ring the bell again on her five-year transplant anniversary on Feb. 25, 2027, to signify permanent remission.  

"Transplantation is never something a patient accomplishes alone. It requires extraordinary courage from the patient, incredible support from family and the coordinated efforts of a large multidisciplinary team," says Dr. Hogan. 

Life beyond leukemia 

Sky returned to school full time, served in an executive position in her sorority and was a leader in many other campus organizations. Since she continued her classes part time during treatment, she was able to graduate from college on time in May 2024. 

Now 24, Sky earned a master's degree, ran her first half-marathon in March and enjoys traveling around the country.  

"Because of advances in molecular diagnostics, targeted therapies, donor selection, transplant techniques and supportive care, she has returned to an active, healthy life," says Dr. Hogan. "Seeing someone like Sky thriving years later is deeply rewarding for everyone involved and reminds us why these advances matter." 

The post Life beyond leukemia: How innovation and compassion helped Sky reclaim her future  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

As the fire chief for the city of Fargo, North Dakota, Gary Lorenz is accustomed to high-stress emergencies.  

"Firefighters are problem solvers," Gary explains. "When people call 911, and the dispatchers aren’t sure whom to send, they send the fire department."  

But on Oct. 7, 2025, Gary faced a crisis he could not simply delegate.  

During a routine scan for an unrelated issue, doctors discovered a tumor on his left kidney.  

Stunned by the news, Gary recalls pacing the floor at his headquarters fire station, feeling overwhelmed and not knowing what to do next.   

"I am kind of a fixer," says Gary. "Whether it's mechanical or other things, I'm fixing problems all the time, and so when it was my problem, trying to figure out how to fix this, it just seemed big."  

Walking in circles, the reality of his diagnosis set in.  

With the love and support of his wife, who works in the medical field, Gary discussed the next steps and knew exactly where to turn. He reached out to Mayo Clinic.  

Watch: Robotic surgery helps fire chief return to duty

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (3:01) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script.

A rapid response and a precise plan  

Within one day, a video conference was scheduled for the following week with Dr. Aaron Potretzke, a Mayo Clinic urologic surgeon.  

Knowing a plan was in place, his family urged him to go ahead with his annual fishing trip that weekend to Lake of the Woods in Canada.  

While driving, Gary received a call from Mayo Clinic asking whether he could meet virtually that Friday instead of the following week. 

During the videoconference, Dr. Potretzke explained how the scans described a single, approximately 4-centimeter bi-lobed tumor, but the exact nature of the growth would not be determined until after it was surgically removed.  

Because of the tumor's location and associated risks, Dr. Potretzke recommended a robotic-assisted radical complete nephrectomy, a minimally invasive surgery using robotic tools to completely remove a kidney through tiny incisions. 

"Dr. Potretzke’s thoroughness, professionalism and confidence greatly helped relieve much of the anxiety I was experiencing," says Gary.  

In short order, Gary received a call on Monday morning from Dr. Potretzke’s office about a last-minute surgical opening for the next day.  

Mayo staff coordinated and communicated with Gary to complete all of the necessary surgical preauthorization. 

Despite this tight timeline and a five-hour drive the night before, he was in the operating room exactly one week after his diagnosis.  

"It’s unheard of to go from start to finish that quickly," Gary says. "It felt like people actually cared how fast it came together."  

Dr. Potretzke says Gary's case was unique because of the multidisciplinary coordination that occurred in such a short time while Gary was several hours from Rochester, Minnesota. 

"To be able to get him into the operating room that fast was not something that we see every day, but it shows that this system works really well — and people at Mayo Clinic go the extra mile in an amazing way to take great care of patients in a thorough and efficient way," says Dr. Potretzke.  

Because of this advanced approach, he spent just a single night in the hospital and was able to return to work four days later.   

Dr. Potretzke will continue to monitor Gary over the next two years for signs of recurrence. 

Reaching a milestone: 100,000 da Vinci robot-assisted surgeries  

Gary's successful journey comes as Mayo Clinic marks a milestone in robotic-assisted surgery.  This summer, Mayo Clinic surpassed 100,000 surgeries assisted by the da Vinci robot.

Mayo Clinic uses advanced surgical robots to perform complex operations with precision, helping patients like Gary experience less pain, spend less time in the hospital and recover faster.  

"At Mayo Clinic in Arizona specifically, it's a marker of how far we've come as a campus from adopting the technology to now defining where complex robotic surgery goes next," says Dr. Michelle Nguyen, a Mayo Clinic transplant surgeon. "Reaching 100,000 cases is a meaningful milestone, but it's the culture of innovation behind it that will define what the next 100,000 look like."  

Much of that progress is being driven by breakthroughs in surgical technology. 

"Robotic-assisted surgery allows us to perform increasingly complex operations with greater precision, control and safety," says Dr. David Yang, a urologist at Mayo Clinic Health System in Mankato, Minnesota. "This translates into improved patient outcomes, less postoperative pain and faster recovery. Perhaps just as importantly, procedures that were once only available at large tertiary care centers can now be performed closer to home."  

That high level of care is a collective effort. 

"Each of those 100,000 robotic surgeries was made possible by our exceptional care teams, including not only surgeons at Mayo Clinic in Florida but nursing teams, anesthesia, surgical staff, custodial support, scheduling and many others," says Dr. Mara Piltin, a Mayo Clinic surgical oncologist. "Each member of our institution plays a meaningful role in allowing us to offer high-volume, high-complexity care to patients in need, and we are grateful for each piece of the puzzle."  

Grateful for the seamless multidisciplinary care  

Reflecting on his clear follow-up scans and rapid recovery, Gary is grateful for the seamless multidisciplinary care he received.   

Highlighting how technology empowers clinical teams, Dr. Potretzke notes that robotic-assisted surgery has been a tremendous asset.   

"Robotic surgery allows us to enhance traditional laparoscopy with 3D and magnified visualization, and articulating instruments that allow for meticulous dissection and sewing in very small spaces," he adds.  

Meanwhile, patients like Gary are thankful for the team at Mayo Clinic.   

"I told Dr. Potretzke I would only share my story if I could brag about him and his team," says Gary. "You really respect the knowledge and training that the care team has." 

The post When a fire chief needed help: How Mayo Clinic’s collaborative care and robotic surgery saved his life (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

After serving others for 40 years through a legal career and now as a pastor and yoga teacher, Sandra Hedrick has led a life helping people. 

"I don't know what draws me to want to help people," she says. "I'm sure it's in my genes, but I really don't know."  

A self-described joyful yet introverted person, Sandra felt her busy life of mindfulness and gratitude stall three and a half years ago when an unexpected sinus issue developed. That fall, she and her husband were on a trip to see the changing leaves in North Carolina when she realized she could not breathe out of her right nostril.   

After her trip, Sandra visited internal medicine physicians about her sinus problem, who referred her to Dr. Osarenoma Olomu, an otolaryngologist at Mayo Clinic in Florida, for further evaluation.  

After a biopsy, pathology results showed the mass was esthesioneuroblastoma (ENB), a rare cancer also known as olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). According to the National Cancer Institute, ONB affects approximately 1 in every 2.5 million people.   
 
Surgery was scheduled immediately following MRI confirmation of the size and location of the mass. 
 
"ONB is a fairly challenging mass to deal with because of where it lies: right at the base of the nose between the nasal airway and the brain," explains Dr. Olomu.  
 
As one of the nation's highest-volume centers for advanced head and neck cancers, Mayo Clinic in Florida manages complex and rare cases with precise, minimally invasive procedures. 

For Sandra's surgery, Dr. Olomu partnered with Dr. Kaisorn Chaichana, a neurosurgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida, to perform an endoscopic resection and reconstruction through the nose.  

"This advanced approach allowed us to precisely remove the tumor while protecting the rest of the brain," explains Dr. Chaichana. "We worked together to resect and reconstruct at the same time." 

After surgery, Sandra had a course of radiation and two rounds of chemotherapy to conclude her initial treatment. Despite the physical discomfort she felt during this time, Sandra looks back on her postoperative treatment with fondness for her care team.  

"I experienced kindness in every way," she says. "The staff were highly professional and kind. They were just a joy to be with, even under the circumstances." 

Mayo Clinic care teams solve complex medical challenges, like Sandra's, by taking an approach that puts the patient at the center and incorporates experts from multiple medical disciplines. 

"When you work with a high-level team, you can make rare things not so rare," says Dr. Olomu. "Our team works together all the time as part of a nationally recognized center, so for a disease like ONB, we know a care pathway." 

After treatment, Sandra returned to her vocation as a pastor with reaffirmed compassion and a keener listening ear. She also participates in online ONB forums and conferences, connecting with others who share this uncommon bond and encouraging one another.  

Sandra approaches her follow-up scans with confidence that she is supported by a kind, caring and knowledgeable team. She is happy to return to life as a wife, friend and grandmother.   

"Being alive is nice, of course," says Sandra. "But I am not on any mission to accomplish anything. I want to thrive in my ordinary life. And that's what Mayo Clinic gave me." 

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After receiving a serious diagnosis, one patient turned to several medical institutions in search of answers. Where other institutions saw limitations, Mayo Clinic's interdisciplinary team saw a way forward. 

When Kyle Collett was diagnosed with an advanced tumor affecting approximately 65% of his tongue, life changed overnight.

 At 39 years old, he was a soon-to-be husband and a strategic finance professional.

"Like many people my age, cancer was simply not something I expected to hear," Kyle recalls. "My days were focused on building a future with my family, staying active and planning for what was ahead."

Before Kyle came to Mayo Clinic, the multiple medical opinions he had received had pointed toward a challenging future that included immediate major surgery, a near-total glossectomy (removal of most of the tongue), and a dramatically altered quality of life.

A different approach: Focus on what is possible

Where other institutions saw limitations, Mayo Clinic's interdisciplinary team saw an opportunity to help.

"This was a young patient," says Samip Patel, M.D., an otolaryngologist at Mayo Clinic and lead surgeon in Kyle's case. "He and his fiancée were really just starting their life together when he was diagnosed with a large oral tongue cancer."

"What was unique about this case was that we were able to pause as a multidisciplinary team and ask, 'Is there a way to treat this cancer effectively, but also preserve as much speech, swallowing and quality of life as possible?'"

Kyle quickly recognized that this collaborative team approach meant he was where he was supposed to be for his treatment.

"When nearly every other opinion focused on what I was going to lose, Mayo Clinic focused on what might still be possible," he says. "Rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach, the team took the time to evaluate my unique situation and develop an individualized treatment plan."

Oral tongue cancers are aggressive, making cure the top priority. However, preserving the components of human identity, speech, swallowing and appearance matters tremendously.

Mayo Clinic overcame this challenge by bringing surgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology and therapy teams together early in Kyle's journey.

"Instead of feeling like I was navigating disconnected opinions, Mayo Clinic's teams functioned as one unified group with a shared mission," Kyle says.

Rather than immediate major surgery, Kyle's team recommended induction systemic therapy first. This treatment approach uses full-body medications like chemotherapy or immunotherapy to shrink the tumor and target hidden cancer cells before an operation.

"He had a strong response, and that allowed us to make the surgery smaller and then deliver more targeted postoperative radiation," Dr. Patel explains. "To me, that is the heart of personalized cancer care. The goal was to balance cure with long-term function."

By using neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy to shrink the tumor before surgery, the team spared Kyle from losing most of his tongue.

Kyle credits Dr. Patel's ability to explain complex medical information, alongside the commitment of the Radiation Oncology team.

Following surgery, a network of specialists, including speech, physical and lymphatic therapists, helped Kyle regain function and trained his fiancée to do Kyle's required home care.

Today, Kyle enjoys family dinners, travel and joyous conversations about what is next in life.

"The milestone was not just that the cancer was treated," says Dr. Patel. "It was that we were able to treat it in a way that helped protect his long-term function and quality of life. To me, that is real success, not just recovery from treatment, but recovery of life."

Providing confidence, clarity and hope

Dr. Patel notes that for complex head and neck cases, Mayo Clinic designs treatment around the whole person, not just the tumor.

Kyle praises that approach.

"The expertise is extraordinary, but what truly sets Mayo apart is the way it combines innovation, collaboration and humanity," he says. "During one of the most uncertain and frightening experiences of my life, Mayo Clinic gave me confidence, clarity and hope."

The post When others focused on loss, Mayo Clinic focused on possibility appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

What started as a way to stay active and take his mind off a rare diagnosis became a mission for Christopher Edgerton. 

For three weeks this summer, he'll be cycling all 21 stages of the Tour de France one week ahead of the professional race in a 2,000-plus-mile event to raise awareness for blood cancers. 

Watch: A rare diagnosis fuels one man's cycling mission to complete pre-Tour de France event 

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (2:45) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic News Network." Read the script. 

"I think when you're on a bike, you have to live in the moment," says Christopher. "You've got to keep your eyes on the road, but at the same time, you've got a lot of time in your own head."  

For Christopher, cycling became more than an escape. It gave him space to process and heal. 

"I had my annual visit to the doctors," Christopher says about a 2018 visit. He remembers being asked if there was anything else. "I would have said, 'No, no, I'm fine,' but I just felt a little bit tired. So (my doctor) sent me for some (bloodwork). When I saw the results, they were all red. I sort of knew enough to be dangerous. I knew it wasn't good." 

"Chris has a very rare diagnosis called Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia," says Dr. Sikander Ailawadhi, a Mayo Clinic oncologist. "It could range from numbness or tingling in hands or feet to cancer-type tumors or the blood becomes so thick, it can lead to clots and cause strokes, heart attack, etc."  

"It's not curable, but it's treatable," says Christopher. "I sort of came to terms with the idea of: 'You've got a second chance at life.'"  

His care team built a plan around what mattered most to him. 

"He wanted limited-duration treatment, something that gave him his quality of life, his independence," says Dr. Ailawadhi.  

Christopher turned to cycling, pushing himself physically and mentally. A year after his diagnosis and buying a bike, he rode from Los Angeles to Boston and raised more than $50,000 for Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia research. 

"I felt like I needed to do something to prove I wasn't done," says Christopher.  

"He has his disease under very good control," says Dr. Ailawadhi. "He's not requiring active treatment right now, but that could change. He can travel, he can do what he wants to do and excels in his passion," says Dr. Ailawadhi.  

Now, he’s taking that passion even further, riding the full route of the 2026 Tour de France one week ahead of the professional race in an event that raises awareness for blood cancers. On June 27, he will begin riding from Barcelona, Spain, to Paris, France. The 21-stage event spans more than 2,000 miles and 175,000 feet of total elevation.

"Each day I'm going to ride for somebody," he says. "Each day I can tell somebody's story." 

And for Christopher, every mile comes with a reminder of what matters most. 

"I'm just very conscious about time," he says. "Everybody's limited on time, and I want to feel like I can get as much out of the time I've got." 

The post A rare diagnosis fuels one man’s cycling mission to complete pre-Tour de France event (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

In the summer of 2024, Dawn Beaubien began experiencing symptoms she couldn't explain.

"I was waking up at night just vomiting profusely, once, maybe twice, three times a week," recalls Dawn.

At first, Dawn tried to push through it. But her husband, Brian, encouraged her to get it checked; something didn't seem right.

Dawn sought care from her local primary physician, and initial imaging revealed a cyst on her pancreas— an unexpected and concerning finding.

Living in Hudson, Wisconsin, Dawn was referred locally for additional testing. But as the results continued to point to a pancreatic cyst, Dawn knew she wanted answers from Mayo Clinic. 

"If there is something going on, we have Mayo Clinic right here," says Dawn. "I'm going to Mayo."

Understanding the diagnosis

At Mayo Clinic, a comprehensive evaluation showed the cyst had high-risk features, meaning it had a significant likelihood of either already harboring cancer or progressing to cancer over time.

Dawn brought a unique perspective to this moment. Earlier in her career, she had trained as a nurse, so the medical terminology and its implications were not unfamiliar. That understanding, while helpful, also heightened her concern not just about the diagnosis but what it could mean for her life and her family.

"Being that my kids are still young, I think I was probably more consumed with wondering what is this, can they treat it and what are they going to do?" says Dawn.

She also understood the potential progression, that the cyst could grow quickly and entangle one of the nearby blood vessels, which would make it inoperable and require extensive chemotherapy or radiation down the road.

Given these risks, surgery was recommended to remove it. She was referred to Dr. Mark Truty, a hepatobiliary and pancreas surgical oncologist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.

A complex surgical plan

When Dawn met with Dr. Truty, she was struck by his clarity and approach, which she appreciated even with her clinical background, given the enormity of the diagnosis.

"He was amazing in terms of writing everything out, drawing everything for me," says Dawn.

Even without a confirmed cancer, Dr. Truty's recommendation was clear — the cyst was concerning enough to require removal.

"The type of surgery depends on the location of the cystic tumor," says Dr. Truty. "Because Dawn's cyst was located in the head of the pancreas, she required a 'Whipple' operation."

This complex procedure involves removing the head of the pancreas, bile duct and gallbladder, and parts of the stomach and intestine, followed by reconstruction to restore digestion.

Dawn underwent surgery in June 2025, and the cyst was successfully removed.

"Final pathology confirmed it was an intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with high-risk features," says Dr. Truty. "Fortunately, there was no cancer present, and all the lymph nodes were negative, so Dawn did not require further treatment. However, this was a type of pancreatic cystic tumor that would have become cancer over time."

Recovery and healing

Recovery required time and patience. Dawn experienced digestive changes as her body adjusted after surgery. According to Dr. Truty, these changes are not uncommon after this type of surgery and, fortunately, are temporary if managed proactively and with the right care.

Throughout this period, her care team guided her through each step of recovery, adjusting care as needed and helping her steadily regain strength.

"I can't say enough about the team at Mayo," says Dawn. "From the nurses at the bedside at 2:00 a.m. to the one sending me off when I was discharged, everyone was very thorough,very kind and very competent."

Family at the center

Throughout it all, Dawn's family remained at the center of her experience and a constant source of strength.

Brian was by her side nearly the entire time. Her daughter stayed with her in the hospital, even sleeping overnight during the earliest days of recovery. Her son visited frequently, and her extended family traveled from afar to support her during the most difficult weeks.

Looking back, Dawn credits her recovery not just to the surgery, but to the combination of expert medical care and unwavering family support.

"I couldn't have done it without all of you," says Dawn of her family. "I couldn't have done what I did last year and went through without them."

As her strength returned, so did the life she had been working to get back to — time with her family, staying active and moving forward.

Dawn remembers Brian describing her recovery in simple terms: she pushed through it with determination, not only for herself but for their family.

Trusting the signs

Dawn believes she is fortunate that her symptoms led to early detection. Many pancreatic conditions are not identified until they are far more advanced.

"I was grateful, the cyst was found when it was in a state that surgery was still an option, and my family doctor dug in to find out exactly what was going on," she says.

Her advice reflects what she learned through experience: pay attention to your body and don’t ignore persistent changes.

"Trust your body, trust your intuition," says Dawn. "If something's not feeling right or feels concerning, go get checked."

The post Early detection and complex surgery help prevent cancer before it starts  appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Kim Brown was running on a treadmill — training for her next half-marathon — when she received a phone call that stopped her short.

What started as an evaluation of an ovarian mass, which was later determined to be benign, quickly revealed something far more serious: a large tumor deep in the center of her liver.

Just moments earlier, she had been focused on finishing her run.

"I had no symptoms, no risk factors at all," says Kim. "I literally went from training for a half-marathon to suddenly being dropped into cancer land."

Diagnosis

Further testing confirmed the diagnosis,intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, one of the most aggressive cancers of the liver, located in a particularly complex location.

Because Kim was already being evaluated atMayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, her team quickly expanded to include Patrick Starlinger, M.D., Ph.D., a hepatobiliary and pancreas surgeon.

The peach-sized tumor was in the center of Kim's liver and involved critical structures that supply blood and drain bile from the organ. This location can make surgery extremely difficult and sometimes impossible.

"I remember how shocked Kim was when I first met her and explained her diagnosis," says Dr. Starlinger. "She was such an active person — climbing ice, hiking mountains in the middle of her life, and now all of a sudden, she has one of the most aggressive cancers that we know."

A novel approach 

Kim began chemotherapy in the fall of 2022.

During that time, Dr. Starlinger and the Mayo Clinic team used an innovative chemotherapy combination and advanced imaging to closely monitor the cancer's activity. One key tool was metabolic PET imaging, which measures how active a tumor is at the cellular level rather than simply how large it appears on a scan. 

"By evaluating the tumor's metabolic response to chemotherapy, we could see that the cancer was responding exceptionally well," says Dr. Starlinger. "That allowed us to move forward with a very complex operation that otherwise might not have been possible."

Her treatment lasted several months and required determination and patience. But throughout, Kim stayed focused on maintaining her strength.

"I kept hiking and getting outside as much as I could," says Kim. "I wanted to be as strong as possible going into surgery."

Extensive liver cancer surgery

In January 2023, Kim underwent a complex liver surgery, called an extended left hepatectomy, that lasted more than nine hours.

During the operation, Dr. Starlinger and the surgical team removed about 70% of her liver to resect the tumor while preserving enough healthy tissue for the organ to regenerate.

The operation also required reconstructing the bile ducts with multiple, surgically created connections to the intestine, called bile duct anastomoses.  

Shortly after surgery, the team identified narrowing at one of these newly constructed connection points — a known potential outcome of this type of complex reconstruction — which led to bile buildup.

In the months that followed, Kim experienced several serious infections related to the bile duct narrowing, requiring rapid evaluation and coordination across her care team. Even during this time, she continued to find strength and comfort in the outdoors. Just months after her operation, Kim and a group of friends embarked on a two-week hiking trip through national parks in the western United States.

"We hiked 4 to 6 miles almost every day," recalls Kim. "That was huge; mentally, that was a huge thing." 

Ultimately, Kim's care team decided a second operation was necessary to remove the problematic bile duct and the associated portion of the liver, allowing her recovery to move forward. 

Dr. Starlinger says Kim's care required careful coordination and timely decision-making across specialties.

"In Kim's case, close monitoring and collaboration allowed us to respond quickly and adjust her care as needed," he says. "Maintaining that connection to the care team is an important part of supporting patients through complex recoveries."

Throughout this period, Kim says the consistency and compassion of her care team made the difference. From physicians coordinating her return to Rochester when needed, to nursing staff who anticipated her needs during each hospitalization, she felt a deep sense of support. 

"The team was incredibly invested in my recovery," says Kim. "The nursing staff took such thoughtful care of me — even small things, like saving a pillow I had forgotten so it would be there when I came back, meant a lot. We got to know each other well, and that made a hard experience easier."

Living out loud  

Gradually, Kim regained her strength and checked off more adventure milestones, something that continues to inspire her care team.

"Kim's perspective and her attitude in this recovery have made all the difference," says Dr. Starlinger. "She is leading a life that is again filled with excitement and adventure."

Today, Kim continues to focus on living fully. She enjoys spending time with her family and is planning future adventures, from a whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon to hiking ancient trails in Iceland.

Her philosophy remains simple.

"I've always said I live out loud."

Related post:

• Mayo Clinic researchers use milk-derived nanoparticles to target aggressive bile duct cancer

The post Living out loud after complex liver cancer treatment appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

During Nurses Week 2026, Mayo Clinic celebrates its nurses — advancing innovation while preserving the heart of care

A Mayo Clinic nurse's journey from cancer patient to caregiver has come full circle, shaped by her experience receiving care.

"It looked like a shark bite." That's how Kristin Surdy describes the spot removed from her leg, which began as a smooth, pink mole she noticed last spring while living in Florida. At the time, she was packing to move her family to Rochester, Minnesota, and planned to see a dermatologist after the move. She had experienced multiple bouts of skin cancer before, but did not yet know that this discovery would change both her health and her career.

After arriving in Rochester, Kristin was evaluated at Mayo Clinic and diagnosed with an aggressive melanoma on her shin in June 2025. The stage 2B melanoma was localized but deep, and surgery to remove it was extensive. The cancer had likely been present for some time. She began immunotherapy treatments in September and now receives infusions every three weeks for one year, along with twice-yearly full-body scans. There is no evidence today of cancer recurrence, though she continues follow-up care due to a moderate risk.

From a patient to a bedside nurse

Before her diagnosis, Kristin had spent more than three decades in nursing, primarily in leadership roles focused on hiring, training and operations. She had long considered returning to a role with more direct patient care.

Her experience as a patient helped clarify that decision.

"I was just stunned from day one," Kristin says. "The nurses were kind, empathetic and reassuring. They explained everything to me."

She also remembers the fear of walking into a busy chemotherapy unit for the first time — the sounds of IV pumps, alarms and constant activity. That experience now shapes how she cares for patients, helping her anticipate concerns and ease anxiety from the moment they arrive.

Encouraged by her care team, Kristin applied to join Mayo Clinic. After years of commuting, she was seeking an ambulatory care role closer to home. During treatment, she realized the unit where she received care offered exactly what she had been looking for — direct patient care in a setting she deeply understood. In December 2025, she began working as a bedside nurse — transitioning from leadership back to hands-on care. She now works as a medical oncology nurse on the chemotherapy unit where she was treated.

"It's so rewarding," she says. "There's something meaningful about caring for people in vulnerable moments."

A new 'family' and sense of purpose

Today, Kristin works alongside more than 50 nurses on her unit. Her clinical background and personal experience with cancer allow her to connect with patients and families in a deeply personal way, including sharing that she has faced cancer herself.

"Cancer affects not just the patient but the whole family," she says. "Being able to listen, explain and provide reassurance feels like being the calm in their storm."

Colleagues describe her as an important addition to the team, and patients have taken notice. One patient told her, "You're really a good human." It’s a moment that still moves her to tears.

Kristin says the role has given her a sense of purpose she did not expect. At the end of each day, she returns home to her family with the balance she once hoped to find in her career.

"I've come full circle," she says. "I've become the kind of nurse I once needed."

Related post:

• When caregivers become patients: A story of heart, healing and friendship

The post Cancer survivor returns as a nurse to the unit that treated her appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Donna J. Gainer fuels her active lifestyle of hiking, bicycling and gardening with a health-conscious diet of mostly whole foods. So, when the 64-year-old received news that she had colorectal cancer in autumn 2025, a wave of emotions hit her.

"My first thought was the heartbreak I felt knowing I would have to call my son to tell him about the cancer diagnosis," recalls Donna. "My second thought was shock that I could have developed cancer with my lifestyle. A cancer diagnosis did not make sense."

Colon cancer screening

Donna's journey began in June 2025 after a colon cancer screening returned abnormal results. Her primary care physician then referred her to Mayo Clinic's Gastroenterology Department for a diagnostic colonoscopy, which identified two polyps in the bends of her colon and one near her appendix.

The complexity of Donna's colonoscopy results prompted further consultation with Dr. Michael Wallace, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist. Dr. Wallace shared that, in many cases around the world, large polyps at difficult-to-reach locations in the colon are typically removed surgically.

"Fortunately, here at Mayo Clinic, we have sophisticated techniques for removing even these advanced and large polyps through endoscopy or colonoscopy," says Dr. Wallace.

A review of Donna's case with a multidisciplinary care team led to a plan using two advanced treatments that reduced the risk of recurrence while mitigating the need for more intensive surgery: endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection.

Dr. Vivek Kumbhari, a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, partnered with Dr. Wallace on Donna's care.

"Care like this is never delivered in isolation. Before the procedure, Dr. Wallace and I carefully reviewed her case and determined that a comprehensive, single-session approach was in her best interest," says Dr. Kumbhari. "That level of collaboration ensures that every decision is thoughtful, evidence-based and tailored specifically to the patient. It's one of the defining strengths of Mayo Clinic."

Donna underwent her comprehensive endoscopic resection at Mayo Clinic in November 2025. She recalls feeling less apprehensive about undergoing the resection than the colonoscopy, citing the thorough yet compassionate care from Dr. Wallace and confidence in Dr. Kumbhari's expertise and ability to operate inside the colon.

"I felt really special that (Dr. Kumbhari) was the one doing my surgery," says Donna. "What meant the most was how warm and reassuring he was when he sat with me before surgery and explained everything. I felt truly blessed to have him as my surgeon."

During the single outpatient procedure, Dr. Kumbhari removed all three polyps without incisions, preserving Donna's organ function and quality of life.

"That is exactly what modern, patient-centered cancer care should look like," says Dr. Kumbhari. 

In a final review of Donna's case, her care team concluded that since Dr. Kumbhari removed all three polyps in one outpatient procedure using advanced techniques, further surgery and its associated risks — including sphincter injury, incontinence or colostomy — were not needed. Donna remains under close surveillance by Dr. Wallace, undergoing endoscopic ultrasound, CT scans and lab work every 90 days.

Since her procedure, Donna has returned to the lifestyle she enjoys, including her outdoor activities.

"I continue to live each day with gratitude, and I am humbled to have two brilliant and skilled surgeons who truly saved not only my colon, but my life," says Donna. "I was back to my daily routines within 24 hours, sometimes forgetting that I underwent a 3-hour procedure."

Donna raises awareness about colorectal cancer by sharing her story in the hope of inspiring even one person to get a screening colonoscopy, even if they consider themselves healthy.

"I want people to know that colon cancer is one of those diseases that can grow silently, without symptoms," says Donna. "Imparting that message is worth sharing a personal and private part of my life."

The post When a healthy life meets an unexpected colon cancer diagnosis appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

Precision medicine is rapidly transforming modern healthcare. It's a personalized approach that tailors prevention and treatment to each individual — moving beyond the traditional one-size-fits-all model.

Colorectal cancer is one area where precision medicine is reshaping the standard of care for patients like Eric Minnesota. 

At 56, Eric was training for an Ironman triathlon when he got a devastating diagnosis — stage 3 colorectal cancer. 

Eric is sharing his inspiring story to raise awareness for National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Watch: Transforming colon cancer care through precision medicine

Journalists: Broadcast-quality video (3:10) is in the downloads at the end of this post. Please courtesy: "Mayo Clinic" – Read the script.

Man on a mission

Eric has been an athlete his whole life. He's a soft-spoken man with a gentle demeanor and a never-give-up attitude that defines everything he does. "I've competitively raced mountain bikes for the last 20 years," says Eric. "I'm an outdoors person...hiking, fishing, camping, anything outdoors is what I really enjoy."

Eric's dream has long been to compete in an Ironman triathlon, one of the toughest endurance events in the world. Competitors must complete a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. That's 140.6 miles in one day.

"From a health point of view, I thought I was nearly at the top of my game based on my age," says the Arizona man. "I've been healthy my whole life — no surgeries, no broken bones...I've never taken a sick day from work in my 25-year career."

Toughest challenge yet

Eric was in the midst of training for Ironman Arizona. All was going as planned. Then one day, Eric began having stomach pain. He went to his doctor who delivered a diagnosis Eric never expected.

"He discovered a significant mass. He relayed to me that I should see a colorectal surgeon as soon as possible to have it evaluated and find out what the next steps should be," recalls Eric. Soon after, Eric got his official diagnosis — stage 3 colorectal cancer.

"The plan was to remove my colon and replace it with an ostomy," says Eric. An ostomy is a surgically created opening in the abdomen that allows waste to exit the body into a bag. It may be needed after colon surgery so the body can eliminate waste.

In preparation for surgery, Eric and his wife, Paula, turned to Mayo Clinic in Arizona. "The doctor at Mayo said a team of specialists would convene as a group to review my case. Mayo was quicker than I ever imagined. The following week they called me to discuss my treatment plan," says Eric.

Hope through innovation

Mayo Clinic's treatment plan included more than surgery as an option. The team explained that by using precision medicine, they were able to determine Eric was a candidate for a nonsurgical approach to treatment called immunotherapy.

"By performing genomic sequencing on the patient's blood and the tumor, we were able to identify a precision treatment approach, including immune therapies, that can sometimes allow a patient to avoid the need for complex and life-altering surgeries," says Dr. Jewel Samadder, a gastroenterologist and cancer geneticist with Mayo Clinic's Early Onset and Hereditary Gastrointestinal Cancers Program.

Immunotherapy works by using the body's own immune system to fight the cancer. The nonsurgical treatment is delivered in a series of treatments by IV infusion. "The treatment is surprisingly easy. To be truthful I feel guilty based on the type of treatment that I had for my cancer versus what other individuals go through. It's just a simple infusion that takes less than an hour start to finish," explains Eric.

Crossing the finish line

Eric crossed the finish line of his immunotherapy treatment in six months. The results were a success. A colonoscopy following treatment showed the cancer was gone. "I won the lottery," says Eric. "The stars aligned with my markers and the care team had the expertise. It was incredible. It was all a perfect fit."

"This is a perfect example of why patients come to Mayo Clinic and see multiple physicians in our multidisciplinary cancer clinics and our early-onset program so that we can understand the cause of their cancer, determine the best treatment approaches, including clinical trials, and sometimes avoid complicated life-altering surgeries when possible, as in this patient's case," says Dr. Samadder.

"As soon as we heard about immunotherapy, we had to try it. This aligned with his goals. I'm just over the moon," says Paula.

Eric was able to keep working and training throughout his treatment. He says his only side effect was mild fatigue. "We spent a lot of time together as a family. Just being able to maintain that quality of life through the treatment was irreplaceable. You just can't put a price on that," says Eric.

"We are so grateful to everyone at Mayo Clinic, especially our oncologist Dr. Christina Wu," says Paula. "I would be lost without her. Thanks to Dr. Wu, I have my husband here with me today."

Celebrating life and love

Eric is back to working on his dream of one day becoming an Ironman triathlete. "Giving up is never an option," says Eric. "You have to turn on the switch, and keep going."

As Eric and Paula celebrate life, they are also celebrating their love. "We just had our 32nd wedding anniversary. These moments, these struggles together, it all has just made us stronger." says Eric. "I'm grateful for Mayo, for everything. I came out a better person."

Related stories:

• Eric and Paula Minnesota with a special message to Mayo Clinic
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Inside a colonoscopy
• Mayo Clinic Minute: Warning signs of colorectal cancer in younger adults

The post Transforming colon cancer care through precision medicine (VIDEO) appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.