Patient Stories

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

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

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.

After a paralyzing injury, John’s spine care helped him make a speedy return to farming and a normal life

July 24, 2019

Less than four months after a spine injury temporarily paralyzed him from the neck down, John McMillan was back to farming full-time. McMillan credits his remarkable recovery to the spine care he received from orthopedic spine surgeon Andrew J. Pugely, MD, at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics in the hours following his injury.

Specialty care for thoracic outlet syndrome healed Lynnita’s arm and saved her vacation plans

July 1, 2019

Lynnita, 40, of Blairstown, Iowa, was quickly diagnosed by Maen Aboul Hosn, MD, the vascular surgeon at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics who fixed the condition that caused the blood clot. Hosn diagnosed Lynnita with thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), a condition that affects the blood vessels and nerves that go from the chest to the arm. Left untreated, TOS can cause permanent damage to the arm.

Specialty Pharmacy helps boy with epilepsy get anti-seizure meds just in time

April 5, 2019

When a concerned mother called our Specialty Pharmacy on Wednesday afternoon, worried that her son wouldn’t get the medication he needed to control his seizures, our team helped coordinate a plan to solve the issue.