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JOHN: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?
@heyjoe415: It was 2022 and I had two very arthritic and painful knees. I was 68 at the time, and I was looking for similar experiences and suggestions.
JOHN: What motivates you to take part in the community?
@heyjoe415: While I first came for advice, I now enjoy helping others on health topics I have experienced.
JOHN: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?
@heyjoe415: A lot of trust comes from the solid reputation Mayo Clinic enjoys. The people on Mayo Clinic Connect are genuinely looking for help, or providing help. It’s comforting to belong to this community.
JOHN: What support groups do you participate in?
@heyjoe415: I spend most of my time with groups dealing with joint replacement, like the Joint Replacements support group and Bones, Joints & Muscles. I’ve had both knees, my right hip, and left shoulder replaced – all very successfully. I think I have a lot to offer to these groups, as well as a lot to learn from the members.
I also participate in groups dealing with Mental Health and Depression & Anxiety. I started getting panic attacks at age 18, along with chronic depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). I’ve gotten help and much relief from these issues. I like to share my experiences when they can be of help to others.
JOHN: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.
@heyjoe415: Well, a mentor @sueinmn in the Bones, Joints, & Muscles group has cited me a few times. She has also asked for my input and shared her own extensive experiences.
It’s nice to be noticed by other members as well as the group mentors. It reinforces that my input is valued and encourages me to continue.
JOHN: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?
@heyjoe415: People are unafraid to hold back. I’m a recovering alcoholic with 14 plus years sober. In the Addiction & Recovery support group I find a lot of hope for myself, and in turn, like to think I’m helping others.
JOHN: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?
@heyjoe415: I’m a very curious person. I’m retired now and get up at 5AM and spend several hours checking email, but primarily engaging in meaningful social media sites like Mayo Clinic Connect.
JOHN: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.
@heyjoe415: In addition to getting up early and reading a lot, I’m in the gym 7 times a week. I took up spinning after my knees were replaced in 2022 and love it. I can’t run anymore, so the rush I get from endurance exercise keeps me physically and mentally focused.
I also work with a personal trainer twice a week and have for the last four years. Tyler has helped me immensely to prepare for and recover from joint replacement surgery. I highly recommend the use of a personal trainer, even for a short time. These trainers are invaluable, and especially helpful on form — the correct way to do any exercise.
JOHN: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?
“We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” T.S. Eliot
JOHN: Puppies or kittens?
@heyjoe415: My wife and I had five cats who all lived between 17.5 and 20 years – Weezie, Pete, Bunny, Zuzu, and Mokey. They were all rescue kitties and they added so much to our lives. We adopted two rescue kitties in 2024 – both female, Iggy and Poppy. They provide a great deal of energy to our household. The picture above shows me holding Iggy, at 4 months old.
Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Mayo Clinic Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.See more Member Spotlights.
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@heyjoe415 Our beautiful Siamese little girl I named Lila Grace (after Kate Moss’s little daughter) and our German Shepherd 4 year old I named Tyson (after Tyson Fury). I absolutely love the names you have chosen! Beautiful! We have no children so they are our children (I’m sure you know what I mean!)
Life is definitely harder than I ever imagined it would be?! And, that’s absolutely 100% not down to me!!
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4 Reactions@heyjoe415 we’re still not over the loss of the 3 GSDs to cancer and the 3 Siamese to cancer as well. Cancer is a terrible disease! But we’re still standing 🧍♀️ 🧍♂️
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5 ReactionsGreetings @heyjoe415 and Mentor Rachel:
I "second" the Mentor Rachel's affirmations and share my personal gratitude. Today, I happily became a brand-new member of MayoClinic's Connect family.
Recent qualifications? I am in year #6 and declared cancer free from a dire diagnosis of advanced Muscular Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) -- from my KY surgeon group in fall 2019. Within days of the 2019 diagnosis, I travelled to and was warmly greeted by Urology specialists who examined my medical condition and confirmed bladder preservation as a viable option.
Now at age 83 and at the start of 2026, I am grateful to God that I have been declared cancer free - and with all of the organs with which I was baptized in 1942!
Thank you Mayo Clinic! DJD83
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24 Reactions@djd83
Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! I am so glad that you found this online patient support group. It's wonderful that you have experienced NED (no evidence of disease) for six years now. I can tell you are grateful to Mayo Clinic doctors and staff.
If you would like to become more involved, check out the Bladder Cancer discussions here on Connect. I'm sure you can offer a lot of encouragement to members who are newly diagnosed or those who have concerns about their future. Here is a link to those discussions: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bladder-cancer/
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6 ReactionsOh I love those names - Lila Grace and Tyson! Well done!
It's so hard to lose a pet, a family member, to something like cancer. One of our kitties was adopted by me. I was in Chicago on a six-month project and missed my wife and our kitties. It was Dec 31, 2007 and I went to the Hinsdale Humane Society, just west of downtown. This is the same HS where Morris the Cat was rescued!
Anyway the HS named the kitty Mistletoe because it was Christmas. She was a very dark black and grey tabby. I shortened her name to Mo and then changed it to Mokey. I have a special affection for Mokey because she rescued me from being so lonely.
17 tears later, April of 2024, and Mokey suddenly was struggling to eat. We didn't make much of it and took her to the vet. In just six months since her last checkup, she had developed a huge growth on her stomach, likley cancer. Inoperable at her age. We didn't bring her home that night and instead went back to the vet to out her to sleep.
I still miss Mokey. Iggy and Poppy are wonderful company and we love them!
Joe
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6 Reactions@djd83 which mayo clinic is thispost from?
Hi Randy,
I might be wrong, but I don't think this site is associated with one clinic.
Can someone please confirm, or not?
Thanks all.
Joe
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1 ReactionHi Randy @randallshields56, Joe @heyjoe415 is correct. Mayo Clinic Connect is associated with Mayo Clinic which has multiple major locations (Minnesota, Florida and Arizona) but Connect is actually for all patients from all around the world and not just for Mayo Clinic patients.
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10 Reactions@randallshields56, I believe @djd83 is introducing themselves to the Mayo Clinic Connect community. As @johnbishop and @heyjoe415, mentioned, Mayo Clinic Connect is a forum open to all patients regardless of where they receive care.
@djd83, I add my welcome. Congrats on remaining cancer-free after a diagnosis of Muscular Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC) back in 2019. I invite you to follow and join in the discussion in the Bladder Cancer support group. Your experience would be most welcome. Here's the link to the group:
- Bladder Cancer https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/bladder-cancer/
See you there (virtually) 🙂
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8 Reactions@randallshields56 djd83 here. My connection is with Mayo Rochester. From which I received a life saving Second opinion in 2020. For which I am eternally grateful! DJD83
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4 Reactions