Patient Voices
I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’m very excited to have been able to participate in New York Times’ Patient Voices: Pancreatic Cancer. There are a few inconsistencies in my story, but I’m simply thrilled that I was able to help spread the word about pancreatic cancer. A special thanks to the New York Times for creating this wonderful program and especially for choosing to feature pancreatic cancer.
September 19th, 2008 saat: 11:16 am
Thank you Kate for participating in that forum. It was great to have the spotlight on this cancer that rarely gets the attention it deserves. It says a lot about you that you are willing to shine your light publicly.
September 19th, 2008 saat: 7:03 pm
As much as your blog gives voice to your story, it was very moving to hear your actual voice tell it, and to see some pictures of your life and family.
September 20th, 2008 saat: 10:17 am
Thank you for giving your voice to the NYtimes article. When I become tired from my work doing cancer research, I need to be reminded why I do it.
September 24th, 2008 saat: 6:23 am
Hi Kate,
Thank you. The thing I learned when first diagnosed was that this cancer has a stigma attached to it that so does’nt fit most of us. I don’t know how many times I was asked ‘how much to do you drink?’ by doctors assuming my “idopathic Pancreatitis” was all about my closet swigging LOL. It was so funny because I picked up on this right away and I was so desperate to find out what the heck was wrong with me that I would get all dressed up, dust off my old Gucci shoes and bag, every time I went to see my Gastro doctor – so afraid he had some image of me swigging the cool aid all day in my closet. I so wanted to erase that image and get him focused on finding out why I developed this “idopathic Pancreatitis” at age 43. I never was able to get a diagnoses at home in West Palm; drove up to MD at JHH and got diagnosed in 1 day. Like you guys, we drove around in circles not really knowing what to do for a few hours. This cancer needs to see our faces; see we are not in our 80′ or alchoholics.
Thanks Kate
Kiki
October 9th, 2008 saat: 8:35 pm
Hi Kate,
I hope all is well with you. I feel a connection to you not only because of what we’re going through, but also because we are on nearly an identical timeline. Thank you for your encouraging words. I am happy to say that after the even though the 2nd cycle of Xeloda really wiped me out, I since recovered and am happy to report it is working good for me. I’m in the 3rd cycle and with a reduced dosage, the side effects so far are better. It would be great if we could meet up some day, somehow.
I pray for you every day.
Susan