Patient Stories Blog Category

Thanks to ODA Foundation grant and Mercy Dental Services, Canton man receives extensive dental treatment for severe cavities, boney growths, and dentures. The phrase, “enjoy the little things,” has become a popular adage in the United States. Yet, for many Americans like Canton’s Roy Jones, even the little things—such as chewing, smiling, singing, and getting…

Three-time cancer survivor Laura Weisgarber shares her long journey with cancer and what she’s learned along the way. Laura Weisgarber walks the runway during Mercy Service League’s Wine, Women & Shoes event in 2017, which benefitted Women’s Cancer Services at Mercy Medical Center. It is estimated that there are over 15.5 million cancer survivors in…

After suffering a stroke on his left side the day before Thanksgiving last year, Gary Perkins and his wife Jane knew he had a long recovery ahead of him. With the help of many Mercy therapists, including Julie Dominik in Mercy Driver Rehabilitation, Gary is on the road again and gradually returning to the activities…

From premature baby to high school senior, Lake High School student Jonathan Harold says, ‘I probably wouldn’t be here without the care I was given at Mercy.’ Caption: While sitting in Mercy Lobby, Dan Harold shows his son Jonathan photos from when he was a baby in Mercy’s Neonatal Special Care Nursery. Lake High School…

Brian Snyder was gradually losing his physical motor skills. Despite diagnostic test results that came back normal, William Washington, M.D., knew something wasn’t right. Brian considers his first meeting with Dr. Washington a divine appointment. A divine appointment. That’s how Bolivar resident Brian Snyder describes his first meeting with William Washington, M.D., physical rehabilitative medicine…

Many people find emotional support from their religious or spiritual beliefs and their faith community. Prayer and reflective meditation may bring you solace, perspective, and inspire hope. For some, their faith has always been a source of strength and comfort. Others find that their faith is renewed by the challenges they are facing. Finding a…

There are more than 14.5 million cancer survivors in the United States today, and Mercy Cancer Center is grateful to be a part of the advancements in cancer care that help people live longer, fuller lives after a cancer diagnosis. Nancy Whitaker (front row, center) has been a Mercy volunteer for 28 years, the past…

Mercy Peer Visitors giving hope and encouragement to stroke patients at the hospital. The program was created by Mercy therapists who felt new stroke patients would find encouragement from others who already experienced the journey through stroke recovery. “[People who’ve never had a stroke] have no idea how difficult it is to be a stroke…

Once a lonely young immigrant from Greece, Lily Janidas has lived in Follansbee, W. Va., Marion, Ind., and Steubenville, Ohio. For many years now, she has called Stark County home, and she and her oldest son consider Mercy to be family.   Guest post by Mary Beth Breda, Mercy Volunteer Services Coordinator I met Lily…

"I've seen how the Cruisin for Cancer brings the community together. It encourages us to embrace one another and to no longer be afraid to talk about cancer." ~ Rhonda Griffin, executive director of the Louisville (Ohio) Chamber of Commerce and breast cancer survivor Rhonda Griffin remembers receiving the letter during the busy month of…

For Ross Riggs and his dog Gunner, it was just a quiet evening of visiting people at Mercy. Yet, for a patient without the ability to communicate and her deeply concerned nurse, Gunner's presence meant calm and peace. Ross Riggs, a Mercy Pet Patrol volunteer, shares an experience he had one evening visiting Mercy Medical…

With their granddaughter's wedding just four days away, Lawrence and Mary Page and their family were saddened by the news. Lawrence, age 90, would not be healthy enough to go home in time to attend. Mercy's Mike Heckathorn and Jason Pirtz decided it was the perfect opportunity to try something new. Jamie Lowder was getting…

“How will you ever handle that?” Vesna Politis says she heard this often after telling people she was carrying triplets. Her response: one day at a time. When Vesna and her husband Elias learned last year she was pregnant with two boys and one girl, they weren’t overly concerned about their own coping skills or…

At the beginning of summer, 9-year-old Nathan Kneidel accepted this challenge from his teachers at RiverTree Christian Church: find a way to serve others through your God-given gifts. When Nathan talked with his mother Amy about what he’s good at and what he likes to do, they thought of the jokes Nathan shares with his…

In our 2012-2013 Report to the Community, we introduced readers to David and Christine Detweiler. Following a series of strokes and a diagnosis of central nervous system vasculitis, David has been a patient with Mercy Regional Rehabilitation Center since 2009. This post is a more expanded version of their story.  Central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis…

After an auto accident in 2012, Canal Fulton resident Eric Buwala lived in pain. His attending neurosurgeon said removing a disc in his back and fusing vertebrae would bring relief, but surgery was not an option unless he lost weight – a difficult thing to do with severe back pain. After being referred to Mercy…

Last Friday, Mercy heart patient Wayne Oswald went home after his recent quadruple bypass surgery at Mercy Heart Center. However, 81-year-old Wayne might never have reached the operating room had it not been for the quick action and CPR skills of two Mercy employees, as well as the medical center's emergency chest pain center and…

For 23 years, a Honduras woman named Carmen suffered from a growing mandible tumor called an Ameloblastoma. The benign tumor had grown to the size of a melon affecting her ability to eat, speak, smile or work for many years. Central American Medical Outreach (CAMO) organized an international humanitarian team which Laurie Yagley, registered nurse…