Rare disease leads to Duluth Township man’s personality change

Lewy Body disease, a form of dementia frequently associated with Parkinson’s disease, would inalterably damage David DeLeo’s mind and drastically change his personality…He was turned down by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, told that a blood-thinning medication he used would make the surgery unsafe. He turned to the Mayo Clinic hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., about a five-hour drive from the couple’s Florida home, and was told that the medication could be suspended for a few days… “We extend sincere and deep sympathy to the family for their loss,” spokesman Kevin Punsky said. “Mayo Clinic aspires to provide the best care to every patient every day. We believe the care provided in this case by Mayo Clinic physicians and allied health staff was appropriate. Our respect for patient privacy prevents us from offering any additional information.”

Duluth News Tribune, by John Lundy, 02/24/2012