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She was a nurse caring for patients, then suddenly she became one. A shocking stage 4 diagnosis. An aggressive fight. And now, no evidence of disease.

Rita Jones was pregnant with her fourth child in July 2025 when she discovered a small lump in her breast thought to be a routine pregnancy change. After giving birth, the lump had doubled in size, leading to a devastating triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. With four small children to raise, Rita relied on advanced treatments at The University of Kansas Cancer Center and is now cancer-free.

For 31 years, Rachel Frank searched for answers to her joint pain, eye troubles and a host of other health challenges until she came to The University of Kansas Health System. Specialists discovered a rare genetic mutation tied to a very rare congenital condition that had gone undiagnosed since birth, finally giving Rachel answers and a new understanding of how to manage her health.

Mary Kay Sillyman thought her chronic fatigue and illness were caused by a gallbladder problem. It turned out to be leukemia. The shocking diagnosis set Mary Kay on an eight-year course of treatment that has her in remission and grateful for her family, cancer team and advances in cancer treatment.

After making one promise to herself to never miss a mammogram, Cheryl Williams was diagnosed with breast cancer. She beat it with aggressive treatments. Then the cancer came back and this grandmother faced it with help from her family, cancer team, and by taking eight pills a day.

She's a busy mom who thought her stomach problems were nothing serious. But Mandy Riemer trusted her gut and pushed for a colonoscopy that revealed a massive tumor and stage 4 colorectal cancer. Now, after aggressive treatment and a decade out, she's sharing her story about trusting yourself and your cancer team.

After more than 20 years living with a chronic autoimmune disease, Peggy Czaplewski's liver is failing. She needs a transplant. Not sick enough to qualify for the deceased donor list, her only hope is a living donor.

John Mason had faced tough challenges before. He survived typhoid fever twice and overcame polio to become a 10-time national champion and 17-time All-American athlete. But it's a second opinion and his cancer team he credits with getting him to the finish line in a race against aggressive bladder cancer.

Mike Fong loves poker and playing the odds. Doctors gave him a 60% chance of surviving lymphoma that returned after four years cancer-free. Still, Mike is hopeful after joining a new CAR T clinical trial called "Triple Threat" that targets three of the most common cancer mutations.

Mike Fong loves poker and playing the odds. Doctors gave him a 60% chance of surviving lymphoma that returned after four years cancer-free. Still, Mike is hopeful after joining a new CAR T clinical trial called "Triple Threat" that targets three of the most common cancer mutations.

A cough. A trip to the emergency room. Then an astonishing discovery: a cancerous tumor wrapped around his heart. Doctors had no easy answers for Kyle Mead until one tiny mutation opened the door to a treatment that changed everything about his treatment plan and future. Visit our website, www.kansashealthsystem.com or findadoctor.kansashealthsystem.com.

Mariah Hollingshead lost her leg to cancer as a child, spent years in foster care and never let either stop her from living life. Now, nearly 18 years cancer-free, she's sharing her story to give others, especially children, a reason to have hope when facing life's health challenges.

After a devastating plane crash, 29-year-old Michael Ribordy was left with severe injuries, including multiple open fractures in his right arm, facial fractures, a broken jaw, an orbital floor fracture and a broken foot. He was transferred to The University of Kansas Health System, the only Level 1 trauma center in the state, where a specialized team of surgeons worked to help put him back together. In this episode of The Morning Medical Update, Michael shares his recovery journey after the crash and what it took to heal from complex trauma. His care team explains how doctors treat severe facial injuries, open arm fractures, jaw fractures and trauma affecting multiple parts of the body. The conversation also covers trauma surgery, orthopedic hand surgery, craniomaxillofacial surgery, bone healing, recovery after a high-impact accident, and what it may take for Michael to fly again.

After a serious 22-foot fall onto a cement pool deck, Brock Martin was rushed to The University of Kansas Health System with multiple traumatic injuries, including facial fractures, broken ribs, a collapsed lung, broken toes and a shattered kneecap. In this Morning Medical Update, Brock shares his trauma recovery journey alongside members of his care team, including ENT surgeon Dr. Omar Karadaghy and orthopedic trauma surgeon Dr. Archie Heddings. They explain what happens after a fall from a significant height, how doctors repair complex injuries, and what recovery can look like after multiple fractures, surgery and physical therapy. Brock's story is a powerful look at trauma care, orthopedic trauma surgery, facial fracture treatment, knee surgery, rehab and the long road back after a life-changing injury.

In this episode of The Morning Medical Update, The University of Kansas Health System shares how a chance conversation led Mark Scotch to make a life-changing decision: becoming a living kidney donor for a stranger. Nephrologist Dr. Jeff Kline and transplant surgeon Dr. Tim Schmitt to discuss the need for kidney donors, the living donor evaluation process, the kidney voucher program, and what recovery can look like after kidney donation.