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Patient Story

Breathing Free Again

It was a week of firsts for 8-year-old Brian Stanzione — first plane ride, first stay in a hotel and first visit to Florida. But Brian was not flying from New Jersey to visit Disney World; he came to visit his dad, Michael Stanzione, 53, who became the…

A risky journey and a happy ending

Mandie Cokley cradles her son Matthew, who underwent surgery for congenital diaphragmatic hernia at Shands Hospital for Children. Mandie and Robert Cokley and their son Patrick piled into their Lincoln Navigator on April 15 and began the 2,400-mile drive from their home in Bakersfield, Calif. to Gainesville. The couple was…

Growing up

Underneath Jim Beau Reinhardt’s left lung, a synthetic patch stitched into place is helping him breathe. Jim Beau, who will turn 2 in November, was diagnosed with a congenital diaphragmatic hernia during his 34th week of gestation. Half of his left diaphragm, a muscle under the lung…

Just What the Patient Ordered

Unveiled in November 2010, the Intrabeam is the newest cancer-fighting weapon in the UF Shands Cancer Center’s arsenal. Intrabeam allows doctors to deliver precise doses of radiation in the O.R. after surgery to remove a tumor, shortening what often takes weeks into one 20- or 30-minute session.

Two aneurysm repairs help man remain active

When Frank Andrews learned he had a massive aneurysm in his lower abdomen in 2003, he called his son, a physician living in California and a graduate of University of Florida’s College of Medicine. His son, Robert J. Andrews, M.D., recommended Mr. Andrews travel from his hometown…

A double success

Ralph Johnson likes to take nature walks in his hometown of Hernando, Florida. But for a long time, medical problems made it difficult for him to enjoy his usual stroll. Johnson was plagued by “aching in the legs and (being) tired, not being able to walk long…

Climbing mountains

Terry Clark has suffered from painful and unsightly varicose veins in her legs for years. She called the veins “my mess.” The source of much “discomfort and pain,” varicose veins prevented Ms. Clark from doing many of the things she enjoys. Decades ago, Clark underwent several “vein…