MercyOne paramedic witnesses health care as a patient
April 14, 2026
What Jeff Spencer thought would be a quiet Sunday morning quickly changed when he developed sudden, severe abdominal pain.
At the MercyOne West Des Moines Emergency Department, he learned he had perforated diverticulitis, a serious infection in his colon that required more than rest. When antibiotics weren’t enough, Jeff was transferred to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center for surgery.
As a MercyOne paramedic and handler for emergency services dog, Abby, Jeff is used to caring for others — not being the one receiving care. “It was quite different being on the other side of health care at that point,” Jeff recalled. “I’m used to being the one taking care of someone and not the opposite.”
Seeing familiar faces in the ambulance and inside the hospital helped ease his anxiety during one of the scariest times of his life.
In the best hands
One of those familiar faces was Mayin Lin, DO, MPH, a colon and rectal surgeon at MercyOne Des Moines Surgical Care.
“Dr. Lin walked in, held my hand and said she recognized my name. At that moment, a sense of calm came over me, and I knew that I was in the best hands and that everything was going to work out for the best,” Jeff said.
Dr. Lin performed surgery to treat the infection, placing a temporary colostomy and monitoring Jeff closely as kidney specialists watched for signs he might need dialysis. Thankfully, his kidney function improved, and dialysis was avoided.
During recovery, Dr. Lin visited Jeff often — even when she wasn’t on call — and after rehab, Jeff was discharged with home health support and regular follow‑ups. A few months later, Dr. Lin began planning to reverse his ostomy. Before surgery, Jeff needed a colonoscopy to ensure everything had healed properly.
A reminder of how far he's come
That night between his colonoscopy and ostomy reversal surgery, Jeff set his alarm for 3:45 a.m. to make sure he arrived on time. Three years later, that alarm time is still saved on his phone — to remind him of a health journey that began in 2023. He reflects on how far he’s come three years later.
“I went back a few weeks later and brought everyone who took care of me – from pre-surgery to the floor - homemade pumpkin bars,” Jeff said. “I even gave Dr. Lin a card and a bag of Lifesavers, along with a photo that we had taken in my room before I was discharged from the hospital.”
Today, Jeff continues to return every October with homemade pumpkin bars for Dr. Lin and the team who cared for him. “She’s a rockstar of a doctor — and I consider her a friend.”
Learn more about MercyOne Gastroenterology Care.
