Patient Stories

Expert hand surgery and hope get Ray back to a normal life after tragedy

December 30, 2019
Ray Eshelman works in his garden
While cutting the last piece of PVC pipe he needed to complete his hydroponic growing system, Ray Eshelman lost control of his mitre saw. The blade caught his right hand and cut it severely. Orthopedic surgeon Joseph A. Buckwalter V, MD, worked late into the night to save the hand, which had almost been cut off completely.

Ultrasound diagnosis saves Julie from weeks of unnecessary pain after thumb injury

December 20, 2019
While bowling with friends, Julie Lensing slipped and fell on her left hand. A trip to the emergency room at a community hospital confirmed that she hadn’t fractured any bones. But the pain and swelling only got worse, and she couldn’t grip anything with her left hand.

A Family Experience with Gender Transition from the Parent’s Perspective

December 12, 2019
Bruce and Mary Harreld speak with Nicole Nisly, MD, about what they experienced when their daughter transitioned.

Heart of the matter

November 6, 2019
Mark Deakyne was watching a TV comedy with friends when he started laughing hysterically and uncontrollably. Standing up to get a drink, his heart began racing and he became so lightheaded he felt like he might pass out. Scared, Deakyne didn’t say anything to anyone.

Livia returns to the softball field better than ever after surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome

October 9, 2019
Livia Williams catches a softball
As a freshman softball player at Iowa City West High School, Livia Williams noticed during practices and games that her throwing arm would often feel numb and her hand would get swollen.

Collaboration, expertise leads to successful outcome for police officer facing high-risk surgery

September 27, 2019
UI Health Care specialists discovered a tumor following an MRI of Shannon’s thoracic spine (upper back), more than a year after she first noticed symptoms.

IVF journey is a road to happiness for Ashley and her family

September 25, 2019
Ashley Nost, her husband, and their daughter, Indie
Ashley Nost, of Solon, Iowa, and her husband began their journey to become parents in January 2016. About a year and a half into their journey, Ashley decided she was done with the road they were on—one of seemingly endless tests, medications, and even surgery—and asked to be referred to our hospital.

Get your imaging done by our radiology team

August 15, 2019
For Bobette Patterson, choosing to have her MRI done at UI Hospitals & Clinics was a “no-brainer.” She wants others to understand the benefits.

After quick diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Christopher is riding his bike again

August 13, 2019
Christopher Wise riding his bike
An avid cyclist for 11 years, Christopher Wise had to stop enjoying his daily ride to work after he lost feeling and strength in his right hand and couldn’t grip the handlebar anymore. It wasn’t until Christopher visited University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics for a different issue that he learned he had carpal tunnel syndrome, a condition in which the nerve that provides feeling to the hand gets squeezed and stops functioning properly.

Alyssa and Justin’s in vitro fertilization story

July 29, 2019
Ultrasound image surrounded by IVF syringes
Alyssa Boies and her husband reached out to the University of Iowa Center for Advanced Reproductive Care in December 2018 after almost two years of trying to conceive a baby—naturally and with medical intervention.

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