Sharing Mayo Clinic - March 2019 Archives

In April 2018, Evan Beard received the shocking news that he had colon cancer. Evan's local doctor referred him to Mayo Clinic where a multidisciplinary team and the right combination of chemotherapy and surgery made it possible for the young father to beat his daunting diagnosis.

In 2016, Andy Sandness had a face transplant at Mayo Clinic. Now, 2½ years later, he's savoring the little things in life many other people take for granted — like smiling.

A lifesaving heart transplant at Mayo Clinic helped Elise Campbell break free from the physical limitations of a rare genetic heart condition she had lived with since she was 14. Now Elise is relishing the opportunity to enjoy experiences she never thought possible.

When Lena Spotleson sought treatment for unexplained stomach pain, the 26-year-old was shocked to learn she had late-stage cervical cancer. But the aggressive treatment Lena received at Mayo Clinic eliminated the cancer. Now, in an effort to help others, she's sharing her perspective on being a cancer survivor.

Brenda Braatz has been dealing with breast cancer since 2013. Although the diagnosis and its treatment haven't been easy, Brenda is thankful for the expert care, compassion and encouragement she's received from her Mayo team.

When Melinda and Matt Little found out their baby girl, Aida, was deaf, they wanted to do everything they could to enable her to hear. A multidisciplinary team at Mayo Clinic helped them achieve that goal.

A lifetime of food addiction resulted in Jessica Erickson's weight becoming unmanageable. When she looked for medical help, she found a Mayo Clinic team that offered her the care and support she needed to become a smaller, healthier version of herself.

Pam Stubbs hadn't felt well in years. But now, thanks to a successful liver transplant at Mayo Clinic, Pam feels better than ever, and she's channeling newfound energy into her passion for horseback riding.

As a cardiologist, Andrew Calvin, M.D., is very familiar with the world of health care. But when he found out he needed surgery, he was a little unnerved. Support from his spouse and care team got him through it, though, and taught him some important lessons along the way.

When Bruce McVety's prostate cancer returned after a seven-year remission, his doctor suggested he go to Mayo Clinic to receive a test that wasn't available locally. Bruce listened. Today, after comprehensive treatment, the cancer is undetectable, and Bruce is grateful for his renewed health.

For Marisa Bella, living with a rare neurological condition meant managing sustained pain and an unnatural head position, as well as dealing with unwanted reactions from strangers. For years Marisa navigated life while suffering the physical, mental and emotional effects of her illness. That all changed in 2018 when a Mayo Clinic neurosurgeon helped her get her life back.

When it comes to outdoor pursuits, Ray Yeary is more than a weekend warrior. A lifelong backpacker and adventure sports enthusiast, Ray has been able to take on increasingly more strenuous activities thanks to the comprehensive care he's received at Mayo's Sports Medicine Clinic.