Mayo Clinic team helped a music legend back to his feet and on stage

Contributed / Mayo Clinic News Network By John Molseed Today at 6:10 AM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? ROCHESTER — When Mike Wanchic played at the Mystic Lake Amphitheater in Shakopee in July, he had come a long way since his last visit to Minnesota. Wanchic had been dealing with declining mobility when he visited Mayo Clinic about 80 miles away. Whether he would walk again let alone join his let alone longtime collaborator and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer John Mellencamp on stage for the 2026 tour were in question. ADVERTISEMENT Mayo Clinic shared the touching story of getting Wanchic back on his feet and onto the stage. Wanchic, who lives in Indiana, was initially treated for an inflammatory disorder involving his spinal cord. He was 10 months into declining motor function and was in a wheelchair by the time he visited Mayo Clinic. Brandy Welvaert describes how Mayo Clinic neurologist Samantha Banks picked up on “red flags” of Wanchic’s previous diagnosis and how his symptoms didn’t match what he was being treated for. A spinal angiogram imaging test led his team to find an abnormal connection between an artery and a vein near Wanchic’s spine that was disrupting the blood flow of blood around his spinal cord. They used a tiny catheter to navigate and seal the abnormal connection. The piece describes Wanchic’s determination to rehabilitate to join Mellencamp’s tour. The two have been collaborating musically for about 50 years. Wanchic describes the experience as being part of one “organism.” Mellencamp rarely tours on his old songs. His tour this year, “Dancing Words Tour — The Greatest Hits,” featured shows in 19 U.S. cities from July 10 through Aug. 12. Also read Minnesota measles cases reach highest count since 1990 Oct 29 Rochester doc says October is 'peak' timing to get flu, COVID, RSV vaccines Oct 14 A Mayo Clinic-made AI model could be a future cancer risk assessment tool Oct 12 Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? Tags Tags MAYO CLINIC MUSIC ROCHESTER HEALTH By John Molseed John Molseed joined the Post Bulletin in 2018. He covers arts, culture, entertainment, nature and other fun stories he's surprised he gets paid to cover. When he's not writing articles about Southeast Minnesota artists and musicians, he's either picking banjo, brewing beer, biking or looking for other hobbies that begin with the letter "b." Readers can reach John at 507-285-7713 or [email protected] . Twitter Listen to this article Conversation ADVERTISEMENT What To Read Next Health Measles cases continue climbing in Minnesota 2h ago · By Ryan McNamara Local Grand Forks offices closed Wednesday for Veterans Day 3h ago · By Staff reports Local UND, Vorbeck sign memorandum of understanding 4h ago · By Delaney Otto ADVERTISEMENT Get Local Must Reads College UND football looking forward to a return to health during bye 2h ago · By Tom Miller College UND freshman Jayden Sonnenberg shows promise in victory over Minot State 2h ago · By Alex Faber Minnesota Crookston library to host weather workshop 11h ago · By Staff reports Arts and Entertainment UND to present ‘Barefoot in the Park’ at Burtness Theatre 11h ago · By Pamela Knudson