Mackenzie Boedicker has gotten used to the double-takes. She's young, female — and bald. It's not what most people expect. "You cannot go anywhere without getting stared at," she says.

The reason she's bald also defies expectations. At just 23, Mackenzie was diagnosed with amyloidosis. It's a rare disease, and one that normally affects people nearing retirement. Mackenzie was a senior at Northeastern University in Boston when she was diagnosed. "I was terrified," Mackenzie tells us of receiving the news. "I questioned my future." But today, thanks to her care team at Mayo Clinic, she's once again looking ahead.

Mackenzie's medical odyssey began when she noticed a lump in her throat. "I went to see an ENT specialist, and she told me it was just seasonal allergies," Mackenzie says. Six months later, the lump was even larger. She decided to get a second opinion, which led to a biopsy and eventually, a diagnosis.

Stunned by the diagnosis, Mackenzie and her family began researching treatment options. An aunt had heard about Mayo's expertise in treating amyloidosis, and emailed Morie Gertz, M.D., a hematologist/oncologist who treats patients with the disease. "Within five minutes, Dr. Gertz had emailed her back," Mackenzie tells us. "That was pretty motivating." She and her family decided to head to Mayo Clinic's Rochester campus for treatment. Read the rest of Mackenzie's story.
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This story originally appeared on the In the Loop blog. 

The post In the Loop: Second opinion provides a double-take and points to hope appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.

On the next Mayo Clinic Radio program, Dr. Deborah Lightner, a Mayo Clinic urologist, will discuss options for preventing and treating urinary incontinence. Also on the program, Dr. James Naessens, a researcher at the Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, will share findings on the importance of getting a second opinion. And Dr. Juan Brito Campana, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist, will explain why thyroid medications may be overprescribed in older adults.

Here's the Mayo Clinic Radio podcast.

The post Female urinary incontinence: Mayo Clinic Radio appeared first on Mayo Clinic News Network.