Fast Finder:
Critical Difference Stories
Click any of the Critical Difference Stories below to read about amazing people and the critical difference Saint Alphonsus made in their lives, or use the links at the left to jump to a specific topic.
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Lap-Band Surgery patient stories.
Featured Stories
MAKO Partial Knee Replacement:
Sheila Turner’s Story
Sheila used to live with constant pain. One day Sheila couldn’t get out of bed. That’s when she knew she had to get something done. That something was partial knee replacement surgery with the MAKO system. 12 days after surgery, Sheila feels like a new person.
Getting a Leg Up on Life:
Alisha’s Story
9-year old Alisha Blalock, can now walk thanks to the help of Saint Alphonsus orthopedic surgeon Dr. TJ Kemp and the Taylor Spatial Frame.
Justin Shields:
My Stroke Care Story
He never thought of slowing down until a stroke at age 32 stopped him in his tracks.
Thanks to the region's only certified Primary Stroke Center, Justin's back and catching up fast.
Bonnie Peterson:
Living a New Healthy Life
Bonnie Peterson is the kind of storyteller who keeps you captivated by her calm and soothing matter-of-fact delivery.
The slim 63 year old has twinkling eyes. She is soft spoken as she recalls her drive to work Tuesday April 28, 1998.
Taffy Hawley: Lost 70 Pounds
Where’s Taffy?
If you saw Taffy Hawley last year and you went to her house today – you’d probably ask “Where’s Taffy?” That’s because Taffy is 70 lbs lighter and she looks 20 years younger. And if you’re wondering – yes, Taffy is the name on her birth certificate. She is almost unrecognizable from the few “before” pictures she has.
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VIDEO
Tyler:
My Trauma Care Story
Run over by a semi-truck. Crushed pelvis. Massive injuries. And forty units of blood later, Tyler is back on the road.
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Jennifer:
My Heart Care Story
She was pregnant and her heart was failing. After a miraculous delivery, backed by the region’s top cardiac team, they make beautiful music together.
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Organ Donation:
The Critical Difference
In 2010 fifty lives were saved from organ donors at Saint Alphonsus. As the region’s only Level II trauma center we take this responsibility very seriously and we are humbled by the family decisions to share the gift of life.
Kelly Duren was one of two guests in 2011 who spoke about how organ donation changed her life.
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KELLY’S STORY
Back in the Saddle:
The Hal Harris Story
Hal remembers his friend’s words. “He said he would’ve been okay if he would’ve had regular prostate exams,” Hal
recalls. So after his friend died of prostate cancer, Hal Harris, a 45 year-old cattle rancher, began to have regular
physical exams. That decision may have saved his life.
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VIDEO
Still Flying:
The Larry Grimmett Story
“When the doctor told me I had cancer, I just glazed over,” Jack recalled. “He was telling about my options for
treatment, but I didn’t hear much after he said the ‘C’ word. That word just kept going over and over in my mind.”
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A Very Good Number:
The Jack Floegel Story
As Larry heard the doctor’s diagnosis, memories of his father came back. He remembered that his had died from
prostate cancer only a few years earlier, and now he has prostate cancer. Larry Grimmett, a 56 year-old financial
advisor wasn’t ready for what he saw his father go through.
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VIDEO
Four Leaf Clover:
The Finken Quads Story
Rich
and Tracy’s their chemistry was right – marriage soon followed. But
their chemistry for procreation was not as successful. After two years
of trying to have a child, they sought medical intervention to help fulfill
their parenthood dream - the results far exceeded their dreams.
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VIDEO
Cowgirl Up:
The Amanda Jo Coats Story
It
was a Friday evening and Amanda was on her way to cheer camp. Her eyes left
the road for only a couple of seconds and when
she looked up, her car had crossed into the oncoming lane of traffic. Amanda
lost control of the car as it left the road, bounced through a ditch, and
then stopped by a telephone pole.
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