Answered prayers: a child saved
When Michaela woke up with the sniffles and a cough on a Monday morning in early January, her parents, Mike and Kristi Garbow, had no idea that two days later, their 2½-year-old would be airlifted in life-threatening condition to MeritCare Children's Hospital in Fargo.
"When we were at the hospital in Bemidji, Dr. William Bock (MeritCare Bemidji) told us he'd seen cases like this deteriorate quickly. It turned out his words were prophetic — within minutes, Michaela plummeted," says Mike. Her breathing grew more labored. X-rays of her lungs showed cloudiness, indicating possible pneumonia. Fluid began filling her lungs, making breathing even more difficult. Michaela's lethargy changed to panic. "It was very intense. She kept saying 'Daddy, Daddy.' She wanted to be comforted and I was helpless," says Mike.
Read more about Michaela.
CMN Champion overcomes challenges
Leah Vigum begs her mom and dad to please, please, please take the training wheels off her bike. She's ready for the next challenge, but unlike most 5-year-olds, Leah has had more than her share of life's challenges — and life's milestones, beginning when she was a baby.
New shoulder surgery speeds recovery
Keith Hansen knew as soon as he hit the muddy pasture that he'd done some damage. "I fell about three feet from my tractor and stuck my right arm out to break the fall. The pain was excruciating," says the 52-year-old farmer from Rollag, Minn., recalling a shoulder injury that occurred in the spring of 2004. Several inches of caked mud on his boots and the tractor steps had caused him to lose his footing.
Trophy fisherman "hooked" on heart-health
For Greg, age 54, the journey to a heart-healthy life began in late October 2003. It was a normal day of work at Royal Jewelers in Fargo when Greg, a jeweler, noticed what seemed like indigestion. He'd noticed it a couple other times that year, too. "I popped an antacid and figured it would just go away, but this time it didn't.
Innovative valve surgery energizes farmer
"Overly tired with no good reason" was how Michael German first explained his uncharacteristic weakness. "I even had to stop and rest while we were loading pigs, and that's not like me," says the 57-year-old hog farmer from Fullerton, N.D.
Life goes on for Emily Campbell
A hockey player since third grade, Emily Campbell of Fargo met her strongest opponent when she was 16 years old, but it wasn't on the rink. "My whole junior year I was in a fight to save my life," she says. "It was a tough year, but I made it through. I learned that cancer does not automatically mean death."
Laser revolutionizes prostate treatment
It may be hard to believe, but a treatment that used to require major surgery, three days of hospitalization and four-to-six weeks of recovery, can now be done in a few short hours, with no overnight stay typically needed. For the surgical treatment of prostate gland enlargement, it's true. "In my experience, it was a piece of cake," says Bob Lind of Fargo, retired newspaper reporter who continues to write The Forum's "Neighbors" column.