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Brad, treated for vocal loss
As a trained vocal performer, Brad Runyan understands the importance of his voice. But, when severe hoarseness made it difficult to speak, let alone sing, it was more challenging than he’d expected. As efforts to rest his voice didn’t help, he became distressed and began to think “What would I do if I couldn’t talk?” [Read Brad's Full Story]
James, treated for hearing loss
James Larson figures he’s had trouble hearing since he was a child. But, it took until he was 76 years old for him to find a cure that would alleviate his pain and allow him to hear clearly. Thanks to the focused attention from Dr. Tina Huang and her team at UMPhysicians, James can now really enjoy the classical music he loves for the first time. [Read James' Full Story]
Regan, treated for heart failure
On Oct. 27, 2010, Nora Nordling delivered her third child, a baby girl named Regan. Prior to her birth, Regan was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy, a congenital heart condition that she also shares with her father TJ and oldest sister Reese. For the first five months, Regan progressed just as any healthy baby should. As the family prepared for Easter weekend, however, Regan’s appetite began to diminish and her fussiness increased. “I thought I was taking Regan in for something routine and never imagined that her heart was beginning to fail,” said Nora. [Read Regan's Full Story]
June, treated for nasal and brain tumors
When June was suffering from persistent sinus issues, her doctor recommended routine surgery. But the situation turned anything but routine when the surgery revealed a new problem: she was diagnosed with esthesioneuroblastoma, a rare tumor of the sinus cavity, and a walnut-sized tumor in her brain. [Read June's Full Story]
Rita, treated for hearing loss
Rita Wilson’s hearing loss as an adult didn’t keep her from enjoying life and exploring new things. As a wife, mother of four, employee and volunteer, she kept plenty busy. She even learned to salsa dance by following the beat of the music through the vibrations on the floor. Then she received cochlear implants at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, and everything changed. [Read Rita's Full Story]
Sherri, treated for a breast cancer
In the Spring of 2010, Sherri woke up with sore, achy feeling in her upper right arm. At first she thought she had pulled a muscle, but the soreness didn’t go away. Sherri’s best friend urged her to go to University of Minnesota Physicians, where she was diagnosed with the relatively uncommon Papillary Inflammatory breast cancer. The university assembled a medical team for her, including a primary oncologist who would oversee all phases of her treatment. [Read Sherri's Full Story]
Chris, treated for a broken arm
To a 12-year-old, a broken arm is a major life event. It stops everything. For doctors at University of Minnesota Physicians, even the seemingly routine condition receives special attention. In the case of Chris Kelley, the still-developing bones in his broken catching arm kept shifting. After two surgeries, they still hadn’t settled correctly. The chances that Chris could continue playing baseball were not looking good. Thankfully, Chris came to the right place, at the right time. University of Minnesota Physicians had developed technology principles for a specialized fixed-angle surgical plate. [Read Chris's Full Story]
Mike, bladder cancer patient
Mike Neeson is an active guy. When a cancer diagnosis in September of 2008 threatened to slow him down, he turned to the University of Minnesota Physicians. “Upon finding the tumor, I went to the University of Minnesota for more tests and advice. My original concerns included the chemo treatment and possible side effects. Then the colostomy bag really freaked me out, not to mention the 20% chance I’d also have a urostomy bag,” said Mike. [Read Mike's Full Story]
Yvette, breast cancer patient
Yvette is a woman very much in tune with her mind and body. Meditation, tap dancing, even alternative medicine. So she sensed something was wrong when she found another lump in her breast after she was treated for cysts. That’s when Yvette turned to University of Minnesota Physicians for a second opinion. As she says, “I’ll never forget hearing I had cancer.” But what she says will stay with her long after her cancer is gone is the patient-focused approach of University of Minnesota Physicians. [Read Yvette's Full Story]
Goffrey, heart transplant recipient
At age 5, Goffrey was treated at Fairview for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. His cancer went into remission, but the stress of treatment took its toll on his heart. Years later as a Florida college student, he had an echocardiogram as part of his annual oncology appointment at Fairview. The test showed some disturbing results, and Goffrey was told his best chance for survival would be through a heart transplant. [Read Goffrey's Full Story]
Scott, treated for blastomycosis
Blastomycosis is a very rare fungus that’s specific to the Mississippi and Ohio river valleys. So at first, what was causing Scott Stepp’s incessant cough was a bit baffling. It wasn’t until Scott saw intensivists and infectious disease experts through University of Minnesota Physicians that the elusive answer was found. He had blastomycosis-associated acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Teams would have to get to work. Fast. [Read Scott''s Full Story]
Alijah, treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia
It wasn’t until Alijah’s family sought care through University of Minnesota Physicians that they uncovered the reason Alijah stopped walking. What was causing this once normal, bouncy little boy to suddenly revert to crawling was leukemia. [Read Alijah''s Full Story]
Liz, double lung transplant recipient
While sitting in the lobby of the Transplant Center at University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview, in May 2010, Liz Johnson spots one of her doctors as he turns the corner to leave the clinic. She quickly turns to her father, Dick: “Dad, there goes Dr. Kempainen. Go see if you can catch him. I want to show him my medal.” Around her neck hangs a participation medal that she had earned only a few days earlier for running a half marathon back home in Lincoln, Nebraska. [Read Liz's Full Story]
Shelly, treated for irregular heart rhythm
On a Saturday afternoon, making sandwiches in the kitchen with her two teenage daughters, Shelly felt her heart racing. She was sweaty, light-headed and nauseated. The symptoms were familiar. From her mid-20’s, Shelly had experienced worrisome episodes of sporadic heart racing. Anxious, she asked herself, “Is it the VT (ventricular tachycardia) again or is it a heart attack?” [Read Shelly's Full Story]