Patient Stories

Read recent stories from McLaren Health Care.

‘Y’all Saved My Life’: How a Man’s Decision to Quit Smoking Led to the Shocking Diagnosis of Lung Cancer

"God put Karmanos in my life, and I thank him every day that I have survived and can see my grandchildren grow up.”

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New Hope for Prostate Cancer Survivors: One Man’s Drive for a New Radiopharmaceutical Therapy

“I knew if this treatment was going to help me, I would drive wherever to get it."

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Karmanos Nurse’s Own Breast Cancer Experience Makes All the Difference in Caring for Patients

"What I like most about working for Karmanos is serving our rural communities."

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CrossFit® for Cancer Survivors: How the CAPABLE Study is Changing Lives, Like It Did for Bob

Costello saw an invitation to join the CAPABLE program available in his area. He was focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle since his treatment and wasted no time signing up.

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From Car Salesman to Cancer Advocate: Ralph Shaheen's Message for All Men

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From Diagnosis to Documentary: A Breast Cancer Survivor’s Inspirational Story Started with Blood Clots

“Over the past 10 years, I have had all my mammograms at Karmanos. ‘I’m a Karmanos girl.’”

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All the Options: A Spur-of-the-Moment Thought to Check His PSA Led Him to Karmanos for a Second Opinion

"If someone comes to Karmanos first and then goes to get a second opinion, they’re going to come back to Karmanos."

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Fourth-Generation Breast Cancer Survivor Urges Self-Awareness and Advocacy

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Navigating the Journey: A Prostate Cancer Survivor's Essential Tips

“When the doctor utters the word ‘cancer,’ it’s the beginning of a whole new chapter in your life. My specific diagnosis was prostate cancer.”

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Cancer Survivor’s Canvas Tells a Story of Hope, Healing and Creativity

Kevin found that his lifelong love of painting became a crucial part of his healing journey, both emotionally and spiritually.

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'A Third Chance at Life': How a Growing Melanoma Led a West Michigan Woman to Karmanos for an Exclusive Clinical Trial

“My husband and I talked about it and decided that even if it didn’t save me, if it could help someone else, I had to do it.”

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Back to Work and Stronger than Ever: An Employee’s Spinal Surgery Success

"When my symptoms first started, I was living in Virginia, and the pain just kept getting worse and worse..."

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Kelli Donnelly - ED Testimonial

How long have you been a PCA at McLaren Bay Region? In June, I will have been here for 20 years. What do you love most about your job? I enjoy the interaction with people and taking care of people...

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Phyllis’s Story: How the CardioMEMs Device Gave Her Peace of Mind

“During the cardiac tests, I was told I was going into A-Fib (atrial fibrillation), and I hadn’t even known it..”

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Hodgkin Lymphoma Patient Found Man’s Best Friend, Ran Marathon with Karmanos Doctor

"It was so much fun and such an amazing experience. Once I had my follow-up appointment after the marathon, I felt like I’m kinda riding high - I felt healthy.”

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A Precise Beam of Hope: Gamma Knife Procedure Gives Patient New Lease on Life

“I just have a different faith now, and these doctors have given me that.”

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Karmanos Ovarian Cancer Survivor Helped Accomplish Michigan’s Oral Chemo Fairness Bill Passage, Signing – But She’s Not Done

“When I was first diagnosed, one thing I wanted was to meet people who had survived this cancer."

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Lung Cancer Screening Program Helped Lansing Resident Detect Cancer Early

“The screening was easy and painless and I’m glad I had it done,” said Wilcox. “I had to have surgery, which removed part of my lung, and no further treatment was needed.”

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17-year-old sarcoma survivor returns to school wise beyond her years

The journey O’Laya’s bone cancer has taken her on only boosts her spirits.

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Heart Patient Is Excited for the Future after TAVR Procedure

“I am feeling really good...I’m anxious to get back to work and excited to see the kids I work with again.”

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