HAPP - Stories from Patients

My name is Rimma Tyo, I moved to the United States without family in 2000. I went to my family physician with complaints that resembled hemorrhoids. I was treated for hemorrhoids and the symptoms remained. I was referred to Dr. Valerie Dyke of The Colorectal Institute. In May  2012, Dr. Dyke told me that I had cancer. I felt that it couldn’t be true, as I have always taken good care of my self by eating healthy and by exercising. 

I know that I have to take care of myself so that I won’t be in that position with my health again. I know I need to exercise every day and try to eat as healthy as possible. I feel I owe this to all the staff at HealthPark that took such good care of me. I have been given a second chance and am grateful for that.

Written with contributions from Jay & Jean Melquist

Living with Type II Diabetes for nearly 10 years was bearable for retiree Jay Melquist. However, when he began to notice the beginning of complications… numbness in his feet – a symptom of neuropathy, he decided to do some serious research on options, if any, to end diabetes or limit further complications. His family doctor John Ardesia recommended that he and his wife Jean, may want to check out seminars being given by a couple of Bariatric Surgeons in the area, which he did. These seminars along with his own extensive research helped him make a serious decision about moving forward. He chose the gastric sleeve surgery. In this procedure a large portion of the stomach is removed using a minimally invasive method. Prior to the surgery, for six months, he met with a dietician to set expectations and prepare him for a successful post surgery lifestyle change.