Patient Stories

Patient Stories

Search by Category
Cancer

Hoag Helps Breast Cancer Patient Stay in Control

“I trust Hoag and I trusted Drs. Khan and Savalia. I read up on the work that they do, and based on their experience, I had a lot of comfort going in,” she says.

Cancer

Hoag Helps Esophageal Cancer Survivor Reignite Taste for Life

As an esophageal cancer survivor, eating and enjoying food had been lost for Sarah for more than a year.

Diabetes Center

A Diabetes Success Story 75 Years in the Making

“It’s never too late to make a life change.”

Neuroscience

Pain Will Not Define Her

A car accident in 1971 left Judy Digon a young widow with a badly fractured back. But when she tells her story, Judy doesn’t dwell on the pain. Her 69 years have taught her how to manage pain, both the emotional and the physical, and to appreciate her blessings. Instead, Judy moves quickly into how … Read More

Neuroscience

Longtime Epilepsy Patient Finds Help – And Answers

Chelsea Trimble had grown accustomed to physicians evading her questions, ignoring her concerns or dismissing them outright. Having experienced seizures since the age of 9, she was used to doctors and specialists working on her, rather than with her. So, when the new mom met David Millett, M.D., program director of the Epilepsy Program at … Read More

Neuroscience

“I Had Seen So Many Doctors. What Was Going to Be Different?”

Tiffany Mueller used to call them her “gas station episodes.” She’d stare at a common object and draw a blank. Holding a book, she’d ask her mother or fiancé, “What is this called? Is it a…” and every single time, she’d finish the sentence with “gas station?” “That was just the word that would always … Read More

Neuroscience

‘Pretty Dang Good’: Epilepsy Patient Has Hope for the First Time

Technically, Bryce Hodding was the third patient neurologist and epileptologist David Millett, M.D., saw after he was recruited to Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute at Hoag in 2014 as the program director of Hoag’s Epilepsy Program. But according to Bryce, “Every time you go in there, he treats you like you’re his first patient and you … Read More

Diabetes Center

Taking Destiny into Her Own Hands

“I got some great information, some things I still use,” she says. “I heard from other people in the classes who lost weight by changing their eating habits. And I learned how insulin works into your body. I also learned that every step you take takes sugar out of your blood. Expend energy because it makes you healthier. You don’t think of the mechanics of diabetes. I never knew how it all works. I just knew I was tired all the time.”

Diabetes Center

Program for Young Adults with Type 1 Diabetes Offers Friendship

“Meeting at a hospital reminds you that you’re sick. Instead, we meet at different restaurants and talk about our common experiences: going to college, moving out, getting married. We’re people with diabetes, we’re not diabetics.”

Diabetes Center

Sweet Success When It Comes to Managing Gestational Diabetes

“I attribute my healthy pregnancy, delivery and baby to the incredible team at Hoag. From the physicians and nurses, to the front desk receptionists, my experience was a positive one because of them,” said Christine. “I’m proud to say I no longer have diabetes, but I feel blessed to have been in such great hands. I hope my story will help anyone else who is going through this.”