Category Archives: Gastroenterology

Finally! Relief for Unbearable Acid Reflux: The LINX Procedure


Who hasn’t experienced the occasional acid reflux from a particularily spicy dinner or an extra slice of pizza? Nothing that an over-the-counter pill wouldn’t relieve, right? Unfortunately, for seven long years, Shawnee Williams, suffered not a few but daily episodes … Continue reading

By susanashephard | Posted in Gastroenterology, General Surgery | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

For patient in Honolulu, Mayo Clinic is just one click away


Living in Hawaii definitely has its benefits — the beautiful scenery, the tropical weather, the ocean. But, what if you are living with a chronic condition and there aren’t any specialists on the island? For Traci Downs, the answer was … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Gastroenterology, Innovation | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Adventures of a 31-year-old Pancreatic Cancer Survivor


Dorylee Baez lives fearlessly. Whether flying down a zip line or organizing a pancreatic cancer patient group in Puerto Rico, she plunges into life with zest. The 31-year-old academic advisor at Universidad del Este in Carolina, Puerto Rico, is known … Continue reading

By Cynthia (Cindy) Weiss | Posted in Cancer, Gastroenterology | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Gift from Daughter to Dad: a Liver Donation


Chuck Lewensten ran a successful business, hunted in Africa and played tennis with his fiancé, Jill. Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis changed all that. By the summer of 2010, the disease had ravaged Lewensten’s liver, leaving him homebound and dependent on his family … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Gastroenterology, Transplant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

He Said, She Said: How One Couple Battled Colon Cancer Together


Sue Willingham remembers the May 2010 day well. She was getting ready to take her two children to school. But before leaving the house, she did what any mom might – use the restroom. But then she noticed she’d lightly … Continue reading

By Cynthia (Cindy) Weiss | Posted in Cancer, Gastroenterology, General Internal Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Women's Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Comments (7)

Guts to Glory


Sam and Laura Kirstein biked across the country to show that people with inflammatory bowel disease can still lead an active life. “If you persevere, there is light at the end of the tunnel.” Continue reading

By margieshepard | Posted in Gastroenterology | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Comments (3)

With an uncertain cancer diagnosis, Ning Chien sought answers at Mayo


“The sky seems bluer and the air smells fresher,” says Ning Chien, after being accurately diagnosed by Mayo doctors with treatable autoimmune pancreatitis, rather than suspected cancer. Continue reading

By margieshepard | Posted in Gastroenterology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Doubly Rewarding: Weight Loss and Liver Transplant for Rare Disorder


In 2007, Kimmy Lockwood decided to be screened for weight-loss surgery to address a longtime weight problem. Little did she know that decision would be lifesaving and eventually lead to a liver transplant at Mayo Clinic. Tests indicated Lockwood had … Continue reading

By stacytheobald | Posted in Gastroenterology, Transplant | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Liver Transplant + Bariatric Surgery = the New Marshall


Marshall Curtis was diagnosed in 2009 with end stage liver failure and cirrhosis secondary to Alpha1 Antitrypsin deficiency. Obesity and encephalopathy were additional challenges confronting the Mayo team. He was recommended for a new study program combining a transplant and … Continue reading

By makalajohnson | Posted in Gastroenterology, Transplant | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments (4)

Early Detection Key for Treatment of Barrett’s Esophagus


Benny Andújar has traveled a long way from his native Utuado, Puerto Rico, to tell an important story. “Cancer doesn’t always send a warning,” Andújar says about his experience with a precancerous condition called Barrett’s esophagus.  A routine endoscopy gave … Continue reading

By susanashephard | Posted in Gastroenterology, International | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments (11)