Our Patient Stories

Every day, patients pass through Parkland’s doors with inspiring stories of struggle, hope and strength. Here are just a few of the lives that have been healed by Parkland.

‘I Wasn’t Afraid of Death. I Was Afraid of Living’

This story discusses suicide, childhood abuse and substance abuse. If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, please reach out to a mental health professional or call or text 988 for help. “I’ve been shot. I’ve been left for dead so many times,” said Ervin Jones III, a Parkland Memorial Hospital patient who has stared death in the face on many occasions. “But my friends call me nin...

The strongest 8-year-old you’ve never met

“Scald burns can be extremely dangerous, especially for young children. Their skin is thinner than that of an adult. Hot liquids can cause a deep, severe burn in just seconds,” said Chiaka Akarichi, MD, Burn and Trauma Surgeon at Parkland Memorial Hospital. Those precious few seconds were all it took to change 8-year-old Aniya Rhodes’ life. An accident with hot water interrupted what otherwise...

“It’s Okay if the Only Thing You Did Today Was Breathe”

This story contains references to suicide and related experiences, which may be distressing for some readers. Please take care while reading. If you are in crisis or struggling, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted friend, a mental health professional or call your local crisis hotline. Dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit their website here . Vulnerability is a strength ...

Anything is Possible with a Loving Brother

“I won’t have to depend on a machine anymore to survive. Now, I’m going to live,” said kidney transplant recipient Saul Arvizu. The 35-year-old recently underwent a kidney transplant at Parkland Memorial Hospital, marking not only the end of the suffering he endured since his teens, but also the start of a future free from pain. And while his loved ones provided an immeasurable amount of suppo...

Listening to Her Body Saved Her Life

When sudden breast pain wouldn’t go away, Nicole Polk knew something wasn’t right. At just 37 years old, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Polk first noticed a sudden breast pain that lasted nearly a week. At first, she didn’t think much of it until the pain became too difficult to ignore. “The first day was a little sore, and then it kept getting more and more painful,” she said. “When pu...

How Early Cancer Detection at Parkland Led to 100 Lifesaving Diagnoses

When 43-year-old Monique Jones went to Parkland Memorial Hospital for a broken ankle, cancer was the last thing on her mind. The mother of two had surgery to repair her ankle and was focused on healing. During a follow-up visit, her physician noticed she was due for a mammogram and encouraged her to schedule one. Jones felt fine. She had no symptoms. Still, she followed through. “I wasn’t expe...

Stories That Inspire, Care That Makes a Difference

See how Parkland’s care makes a lasting impact in the lives of the people we serve.