--- title: "12 Patient Comeback Stories That Defined Sutter's 2024 | Sutter Health" description: "From a 183-day NICU stay to a stroke study breakthrough, these 12 Sutter Health patient stories show resilience beating the very toughest odds." url: "https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories/12-times-patients-beat-the-odds-in-2024" --- 1. [Home](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/) / 2. [Patient stories](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) / 3. 12 Times Patients Beat The Odds In 2024 # 12 Unforgettable Patient Comebacks to Close 2024 From a 183-day NICU stay to a stroke study breakthrough, these 12 Sutter Health patient stories show resilience beating the very toughest odds. December 23, 2024 by Vitals editorial staff ![12 Unforgettable Patient Comebacks to Close 2024](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/2024-patient-collage-1-7bfde4f7.jpg?h=1080&iar=0&w=1920 "12 Unforgettable Patient Comebacks to Close 2024") This year, we’ve seen patients who didn’t just beat the odds _–_ they redefined them! From groundbreaking firsts and participation in pioneering clinical trials to incredible triumphs over unexpected health emergencies, these stories show what happens when exceptional care and compassion meet human courage and resilience. Don’t miss a last look at these 12 incredible patient journeys from across Sutter Health that will truly inspire you. [Transplant Patient’s Remarkable Recovery a Team Effort](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/rehab-success-transplant-patients-remarkable-recovery-was-team-effort/) ![Asian woman in wheelchair is surrounded by her hospital rehabilitation care team](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/May-La-Photo-with-Team-scaled-e1718148303346-d38072a0.jpg) [Suspicious Scan Spurs Woman’s Lung Biopsy Using Latest Tech](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/suspicious-scan-spurs-womans-lung-biopsy-using-latest-diagnostic-tech/) ![A patient and her doctor stand in front of new lung cancer diagnostic technology](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Jennifer-Morrice-and-Dr-Heba-Ismail-86809ccb.jpeg) [Center Tracks Pacemaker So Cyclist Can Blaze Trails Worry-free](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/center-tracks-pacemaker-so-cyclist-can-blaze-trails-worry-free/) ![Man with bike helmet with bicycle and lake behind him](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/patt-on-bike-e1711558057456-113f504b.jpg) [‘Miracle’ Baby Home After 183 Days in the NICU](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/the-longest-journey-tiniest-and-earliest-baby-home-after-183-days-in-the-nicu/) ![Micropremie Seiori Sweeney Austin, wearing her NICU graduation 'mortar board,' leaves the Alta Bates Summit Medical Center for the first time since she was born six months ago.](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/IMG_3635-2-scaled-e8dc678e.jpg) [Chicoan Gets New Lungs After 120 Days on Novel Life Support](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/chicoan-gets-new-lungs-after-120-days-on-novel-life-support/) ![Woman in hospital bed with doctors flanking her.](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/ECMO-patient-3a7458b4.jpg) [Riveting Video: How Teen from China Was Saved When Heart Failed](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/riveting-video-how-china-teen-was-saved-when-heart-failed/) ![Girl in hospital bed and then smiling, having recovered](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Catherine-Cai-featured-photo-scaled-072cbfb6.jpg) [Stroke Study Informs Future Clot-Busting Treatment](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/stroke-study-informs-future-clot-busting-treatment/) ![A man and woman stand next to each other](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Lyle-and-Terri-Vanhorn-scaled-e1714578176916-d5163ed2.jpg) [Ultimate Frisbee Player Scores Big, Survives Heart Attack](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/ultimate-frisbee-player-scores-big-survives-heart-attack/) ![Photo of heart attack survivor, Jennifer Carothers-Liske, with her care team at Sutter Alta Bates Summit Medical Center in Oakland.](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Ultimate-Heart-Patient-Carothers-Liske-11-2024-14552466.jpg) [Oakland Woman Turning 90 Gets Heart Repaired in Bay First](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/oakland-woman-turning-90-gets-heart-repaired-in-bay-first/) **![Woman patient and simulation of heart valve repair,](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Smith-TEER-patient-1-51c85e01.jpg)** [Bay Area Grandpa Ready to Hit Trails Thanks to Advanced Cancer Therapy](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/bay-area-grandfather-ready-to-hit-trails-again-thanks-to-advanced-cancer-therapy/) **![Older Caucasian man with tan baseball cap, charcoal gray puffy vest, charcoal gray long-sleeved shirt, khakis carrying a walking stick in front of evergreen trees with a blue border around the photo](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Rod-Derbyshire-with-border-scaled-41697ba2.jpg)** [Clinical Trial Helps Steady the Heartbeat of Half Moon Bay Resident](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/clinical-trial-helps-steady-the-heartbeat-of-half-moon-bay-resident/) ![A Caucasian woman sitting on a picnic table with her dog](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Helen-and-Rainey-e1707264336251-0da82240.jpg) [How a New Approach Allows Beat to Go on Without Heart Surgery](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/with-new-approach-beat-goes-on-w-o-heart-surgery-for-musician/) ![Drummer in garage with drum kit](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/Vitals/patient-stories/Bill-Oaks_20_retouched-53d97985.jpg) ## Topics [Heart Disease](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/search?facets=%5B%7B%22i%22%3A%22c_healthTopics.name%22%2C%22v%22%3A%5B%22Heart+Disease%22%5D%7D%5D&verticalKey=articles) ## Related articles ### [It takes a team: Spotlight on Sacramento hospital’s heart valve care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/spotlight-on-sacramento-hospital-heart-valve-care) ### [AI Helps Surgeons Treat an 86-Year-Old Grandmother](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/research-innovation/ai-helps-surgeons-treat-an-86-year-old-grandmother) ### [National Honors Recognize Sutter Health’s Excellence in Stroke and Heart Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/our-people/national-honors-recognize-sutter-healths-excellence-in-stroke-and-heart-care) ### [Letters From the Past Inspire Gift to East Bay Heart Care](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/community-impact/letters-from-the-past-inspire-gift-to-east-bay-heart-care) [See all from Patient stories](https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/patient-stories) ## Check your Vitals Get the latest in health innovation, community impact and patient care from Sutter Health — delivered straight to your inbox. 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