Humor, nature, and pets make for a rich life: Meet @mommacandy

TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@mommacandy: I first found Mayo Clinic Connect when my best friend was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2023, and I was looking for information. Then, in January 2024, I came looking for support for myself when I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

TERESA: What motivates you to take part in Mayo Clinic Connect?

@mommacandy: Personally, I find other people's experiences to be of great value. I also hope that I can help others through my experience of what I have gone through and what has helped me

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

@mommacandy: The fact that I can stay anonymous is a big plus. Because I am very active in my own community with a variety of things and pretty well known, it's extremely nice to have a place where I don't have to put on an “everything is ok" attitude and pretend I'm not scared or concerned or whatever is going through my mind on any given day. On Mayo Clinic Connect, I can share whatever is on my mind with folks going through something similar and know I won't be judged, looked down on, or thought less of because of it.

TERESA: What support groups do you participate in?

@mommacandy: I mainly participate in the ovarian cancer discussions in the Gynecologic Cancers Support Group.

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

@mommacandy: It’s a welcome surprise that there are people out there willing to answer questions from their own experiences and to make me feel less alone in feeling like I did.

I was never made to feel like I was asking stupid questions or less thought of because I wanted to know about certain things. I was encouraged to share thoughts, concerns, ideas, etc as I made my journey through this. I wasn't told to only follow what doctors told me, but was also encouraged to consider other options alongside the oncology recommendations. That was probably one of the biggest surprises. I wasn't treated like I was nuts when I shared that acupuncture had helped my nausea and other integrative approaches I used alongside my chemo.

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

@mommacandy: I enjoy nature. I rely on God, but I think that’s a given with everything I've been through in my life.

TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@mommacandy: I honestly can't say I have a particular favorite activity. I enjoy spending time walking through the woods and foraging. I also greatly enjoy fishing, although I don't get to do it as much as I'd like these days, given the weather. Indoors and mostly in the winter, I enjoy cooking, baking, reading, and latch hooking. Probably the thing I've missed the most while going through all these cancer treatments is getting out and running the chainsaw and log splitter for our firewood. I'm definitely more of an outdoorsy type. 

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

@mommacandy: I think honesty and a sense of humor are probably the two most important things that I value in my friends. If someone can't tell the truth about something or can't enjoy a good story or joke, then they probably aren't someone I would want to spend much time with or want to get to know. They need to be able to see the humor in things as a merry heart doeth much good. 

TERESA: What food can you not resist?

@mommacandy: A good rare steak

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

@mommacandy: I'm not a beach gal. I prefer a remote cabin in the middle of nowhere. Living not far from the mountains is a huge bonus for me.

TERESA: Puppies or kittens?

@mommacandy: Both. I honestly think my pets have helped with my healing, especially with the mental and emotional parts. We have seven cats. Four of them were my best friend’s cats that I took in after he passed, and three of those four were the siblings of my Xena. The picture with my spotlight is my beloved Xena, who LOVES playing with yarn.

We also have our beloved Australian Shepherd, who is highly spoiled, so he covers the dog aspect. Then there are our chickens. My neighbor knew I'd been wanting chickens. So when I had to start back on chemo in the spring, she and her son bought me five chicks and told me they were my "therapy chicks" to help me through my chemo. We built a chicken tractor, and they get moved all over the yard and supply me with eggs now. 

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