Stories - Patient Spotlight Archives - Insights

A Mayo Pathologist’s Journey through Paraneoplastic Syndrome and a Double Lung Transplant: Dr. Brad Karon

Chris Bahnsen — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 13:00:00 +0000

After mysterious neurological symptoms began in 2010, Brad Karon, M.D., Ph.D., was diagnosed with paraneoplastic syndrome, a rare condition that led to groundbreaking research and test development at Mayo Clinic. Years later, pulmonary fibrosis and a double lung transplant would test him once again — and redefine his resilience.

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A journey to diagnosis: One patient’s story of resilience and hope

jgilligan1 — Mon, 05 May 2025 13:00:00 +0000

For many, the path to a correct diagnosis can be long and filled with uncertainty. This story highlights the resilience and determination of one patient who navigated a complex medical journey to find answers and hope at Mayo Clinic. The patient asked to remain anonymous for personal privacy reasons.

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A decade-long search for answers ends at Mayo Clinic: Tyler Hart

jgilligan1 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 13:00:00 +0000

After years of misdiagnosis, Tyler Hart found answers at Mayo Clinic, discovering he had NF155-IgG4 autoimmune nodopathy instead of CIDP

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Innovative SORD test provides clarity for two young patients: Justin Fugelsang and Zach Pedowitz

Chris Bahnsen — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 14:00:00 +0000

Justin Fugelsang and Zach Pedowitz have never met. Yet both young men were diagnosed with a rare form of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, called sorbitol dehydrogenase (SORD) deficiency, and both found clarity through Mayo Clinic Laboratories' innovative SORD testing. Their journeys inspire resilience, as Justin has channeled his emotions into guitar playing, and Zach has embraced educational leadership.

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Rare patient case helps inform and validate GABA-A-R antibody encephalitis testing: JoAnne Michael

Chris Bahnsen — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 14:00:00 +0000

JoAnne Michael’s symptoms started with dizziness and forgetfulness before down spiraling into severe confusion, crying jags, and brain seizures. ER doctors at her local hospital initially thought she was on drugs. JoAnne, terrified, wondered if she was dying. Luckily, she had a guardian angel by her side: her mother, a retired nurse practitioner, who took her to Mayo Clinic, where the clinical experience and expertise of neurologist Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., helped give her a diagnosis and hope for a journey back to health.

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A shared journey through breast cancer: Samantha Duke and Jane Hanson

Robin Huiras-Carlson — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 13:00:00 +0000

When Samantha Duke discovered she had breast cancer, she didn’t have to look far for support. Her mother Jane walked a similar path 16 years earlier. Inspired both by her mom and the strong network of healthcare physicians and professionals on her team, Samantha remained positive throughout her treatment and is committed to advancing research on breast cancer.

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Heartbeats of gratitude: Scott Olson

Nicole Holman — Mon, 08 Jul 2024 13:00:00 +0000

In a quiet suburb outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, an ordinary Saturday took a sudden and alarming turn for Scott Olson when he began experiencing symptoms of ventricular tachycardia. Central to the care and treatment he'd receive at Mayo Clinic was the precise testing that was done by Mayo's Cardiac Pathology Lab, which uncovered the true cause of his erratic heart rhythm. That discovery not only clarified Scott's diagnosis, but also highlighted the critical role that advanced diagnostics plays in guiding successful patient outcomes.

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Comprehensive testing leads to targeted treatment for rare autoimmune encephalitis antibody: Spencer Lodin

Chris Bahnsen — Mon, 06 May 2024 13:00:00 +0000

What started as a persistent headache for Spencer Lodin soon devolved into slowed speech, seizures, and hallucinations, symptoms which stumped ER doctors into thinking he had meningitis or was suffering from psychosis. Finally, specialized testing at Mayo Clinic identified Spencer's condition as GFAP-IgG associated autoimmune encephalitis, which allowed for targeted treatment and a full recovery.

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Personal journey shapes unique perspective: Linda Hasadsri, M.D., Ph.D.

Robin Huiras-Carlson — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000

Dr. Linda Hasadsri’s firsthand encounter with the genetic tests she’s helped develop has provided rare insight into testing quality and implications, enhancing their ability to advocate for the value of testing and infusing their work with deep empathy.

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Comprehensive testing helps diagnose and manage rare genetic disorder: Lauri Sieben

Cory Pedersen — Mon, 05 Feb 2024 14:00:00 +0000

Multiple doctors and multiple examinations could not figure out why Lauri Sieben had spent much of her life “never feeling quite right” physically. Fortunately for Lauri, that changed after her daughter Christy began working as a genetic counselor in Mayo Clinic’s Molecular Technologies Laboratory. After seeing similarities between the patient testing she was performing for the lab and the physical symptoms being experienced by her mom, Christy took a leading role in getting Lauri to undergo molecular and biochemical testing at Mayo Clinic. The results of that testing not only provided much-needed answers, but a promising path forward for Lauri.

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