Cancer unites through empathy, hope and support: Meet @katgob

ROSEMARY: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect? 

@katgob: I found Mayo Clinic while looking up information online about the BRCA2 gene, ovarian cancer and other possible cancers that could occur with this genetic mutation. I also found many posts on Mayo Clinic Connect with good information. When facing a bone marrow biopsy last year, I found more great information and personal experiences. When I saw I could join Mayo Clinic Connect even though I was not a patient, I created an account right away. 

A family member was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so I wanted to learn more about the diagnosis and what to expect. I and another family member had our tubes and ovaries removed. My family member who has a cancer diagnosis did not. Would it have helped prevent their outcome? That is something we will never know.

Connect opened the door to hearing how others handle this question with their loved ones. My family member prefers to share little about their cancer journey. I have accepted that their journey and their choices are theirs. I’m grateful to be able to learn more with members on Mayo Clinic Connect.

ROSEMARY: What motivates you to take part in the community?

@katgob: I love that the mentors are members who have walked a similar path as we have with our various cancers and conditions. Lori (@loribmt) answered my first post about my new diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in October 2023. 

I am amazed at the knowledge members have and their willingness to share their experiences about treatment and more. I realized that sharing about the treatments I’ve had may help someone else too.

ROSEMARY: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?

@katgob: From the first posts that I read, I found answers to my questions. Knowing that my bone marrow biopsy and transplant journey was experienced by many members made me feel I could walk through it one day at a time and encourage others to do the same. I walked through breast cancer a few years ago and knew that my experiences might be helpful to someone else on their journey.

ROSEMARY: What support groups do you participate in?

@katgob: I mainly take part in:

• Aging Well
• Blood Cancers & Disorders
• Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy
• Breast Cancer
• Osteoporosis & Bone Health
• Transplants

As well as other support groups where I visit and learn.

ROSEMARY: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.

@katgob: Mentor @loribmt was my first and most helpful contact since I joined. I had breast cancer but had no idea how I felt about blood cancer. I had been a platelet donor for 25 years before my breast cancer, so being diagnosed with MDS blood cancer was crazy. I said, “God, really?” 

As soon as I posted on Mayo Clinic Connect, I received a reply from Lori. Her humor brought out my humor. I was filled with all I needed to start my first day of conditioning for BMT (bone marrow transplant) all the way through transplant and the next 100 days. City of Hope, where I get treatment, operates in many ways like Mayo Clinic, so everything Lori shared was valuable and needed, even if not exactly the same.

Lori’s sense of humor is priceless! She shared that the newly transplanted cells would take residence in my marrow like many minions. “They know right where to go”, she said. Getting my chemo just before transplant day I was told by the transplant nurse that I would be given popsicles and ice to keep my mouth frozen during my chemo treatment. This would help stop mouth sores. I knew I needed something to occupy my head’s thinking, so what did I do? I watched the movie “Minions” of course!

ROSEMARY: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?

@katgob: The kindness and support you can find in the support groups. You get encouragement, truth and hope. And you can give the same to other members who are scared and fearful. Cancer unites through empathy, hope and support. You feel it in the words of the posts. We only know each other online, yet I feel like I could sit with Lori and others as dear friends.

ROSEMARY: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life? 

@katgob: My breast cancer opened my eyes to a new journey. One I never thought I would encounter. My MDS and bone marrow transplant opened the door wider to fitness, eating well and making adjustments to create balance in my life. I must be a 100% active person in my own life. I feel accountable, too. A transplant patient is connected for life with the transplant team. My breast cancer surgeon said the same thing about my BRCA2 mutation.

Being accountable means taking care of me!

ROSEMARY: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@katgob: One of my favorite activities has been volunteering with my local cat and dog rescue. I help clean, feed and socialize cats. Over 12 years I have only taken home 3 cats! Two were kittens. Hazel was my beautiful white cat with one blue and one green eye. My 3rd cat is still with me. He was a bully to my Hazel but he has found he cannot bully me.

ROSEMARY: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?

@katgob: Two well-known phrases have helped me through my cancer journeys:

• “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” from the Serenity Prayer
•  “One day at a time”

ROSEMARY: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?

@katgob: The ability to laugh and to not take themselves too seriously.

ROSEMARY: What food can you simply not resist?

@katgob: Chips and salsa with a bite of chocolate or too as a bonus.

ROSEMARY: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see cast as you?

@katgob: Melissa McCarthy.

ROSEMARY: What do you love about where you live or vacation?

@katgob: I have lived in Southern California my whole life. My favorite vacation would be jumping on a plane to an overseas location. For now, touring the eastern states, meeting people, and seeing the world through different glasses has been my joy the last few years.

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