Paying forward the kindness of strangers: Meet @lindabees

1 day ago | Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Comments (15)

Meet @lindabeesTERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@lindabees: My husband, who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic neuroendocrine (NET) cancer in 2008, became a patient at Mayo Clinic, Phoenix when we moved to the area in 2020. I've always been involved in various online NET support pages and was excited to see that Mayo had such a forum where patients and caregivers can share experiences and provide guidance.

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

@lindabees: When my husband was diagnosed in 2008, there were very few online NET support forums. I found one or two that were fairly active and joined them, looking for answers, guidance and hope. So many people were so kind to me and helped us immeasurably in those early days. I joined Mayo Clinic Connect to pay it forward and hopefully help others who are recently diagnosed or struggling with this disease.

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

@lindabees: I really appreciate the moderators and mentors who are so active on Connect. That really sets it apart from other support forums. I find it a very welcoming atmosphere, which makes it very easy to share with others.

TERESA: What support groups do you participate in?

@lindabees: Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) and the Neuropathy support groups.

TERESA: Tell us about a meaningful moment you've experienced on Mayo Clinic Connect. 

@lindabees: A year or so ago, a woman from New Jersey posted for the first time after being diagnosed with a PNET. She was understandably very scared; she was about to be married and was afraid of what this diagnosis and any treatments may mean to her future. I replied, shared our story and offered her some guidance. We ended up in an ongoing communication and she expressed how much it meant to her and how helpful our discussions were. When I hear something like that, it makes my day. Last I heard, she was still free of any disease. Yay!!

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

@lindabees: I don't know if I was surprised, but I was really pleased to see the level of kindness and support of so many members. I don't think I've ever seen someone being unkind, impatient or rude. I think through participating in this forum I've learned how to be even more sympathetic in my interactions.

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

@lindabees: My faith energizes me and keeps me balanced. It's so important, especially because we've been dealing with this cancer for so many years, with a lot of ups and downs. It has really helped to keep me focused on what is truly important in life. My husband also energizes and inspires me with his refusal to let this disease stop him from doing things that he enjoys.

TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@lindabees: I am really into photography and help lead a local photography club in our town. I also volunteer at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin West property as a photographer and also with their Youth and Family group which is really rewarding. 

I also love to read and have been devouring a ton of books recently. (Thank goodness for the library or I'd go broke. LOL.)

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

@lindabees: God's got this. 

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

@lindabees: I live in a beautiful small town just outside of Phoenix and am blessed with beautiful mountain- and desert views all over the town. Plus, it is the home of one of the world's largest man-made fountains. It has a very small town feel, where most everyone is very kind.

TERESA: Puppies or kittens? 

@lindabees: Oh, no question. Puppies! We've always had dogs. Currently, we have a yellow lab named Jake and a Chesapeake Bay retriever named Marlon 

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This is great, @lindabees. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for helping others on Mayo Clinic Connect.

My father-in-law had PNETs. He did, sadly, pass away this June from metastases subsuming his liver after basically all his significant treatment options ran out. But due to some amazing treatments over the years, his life was extended many-fold, and we were so grateful.

Anything you can do to encourage others with this disease with which many people are not familiar yet is just fabulous.

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Hi @lindabees.

I am so glad that you decided to pay forward the kindness of strangers here on Mayo Connect! You have encouraged many folks by the courageous way you and your husband have faced this rare cancer. It was a pleasure working with you on this Spotlight.

I love learning that you devour books; it is a great way to learn and be inspired!

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@lindabees and @hopeful33250 thank you for the great Spotlight. I especially appreciate your testimony of your faith. That means everything to me also.
I too love reading. Have you discovered Mayo Clinic Press? That is a great resource for people who love to read.

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"God's got this". What a powerful message for me today. I went to the doctor today. I have os in my spine. When my spirit is low, this is my 'go to' place to feel whole again. Thanks to all.
PS: I have been on Alendronate for 2 years.

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@lindabees You deserve this recognition and more. Sharing your husband's PNET journey since 2008 in the NETS group gives the rest of us hope. Your knowledge and experience give us guidance. Your comforting words give us the resolve to keep moving forward. You have helped me so much with my personal PNET journey. I am grateful. It takes a village to manage our unique illness. I feel blessed to have you as part of mine.

I also want to tell you how much I enjoy the opportunities to collaborate with you in the NETs group. In case you haven't noticed, our paths might have crossed a time or two. Your passion to help others shows with every comment. It becomes infectious. It inspires others, me included, to do the same.

I can't thank you enough for being you. But, I am going to try. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you...

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@lindabees What a great spotlight! I love your “paying it forward” and finding ways to do it. I think I’m paying it forward by being a mentor to the Caregiving and Autoimmune support groups! Hard work but very rewarding. Becky

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Profile picture for Lisa Lucier, Moderator @lisalucier

This is great, @lindabees. Thank you so much for sharing your story and for helping others on Mayo Clinic Connect.

My father-in-law had PNETs. He did, sadly, pass away this June from metastases subsuming his liver after basically all his significant treatment options ran out. But due to some amazing treatments over the years, his life was extended many-fold, and we were so grateful.

Anything you can do to encourage others with this disease with which many people are not familiar yet is just fabulous.

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@lisalucier I'm so sorry for your loss. But you're right. The advancements have truly been life changing.

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Profile picture for Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250

Hi @lindabees.

I am so glad that you decided to pay forward the kindness of strangers here on Mayo Connect! You have encouraged many folks by the courageous way you and your husband have faced this rare cancer. It was a pleasure working with you on this Spotlight.

I love learning that you devour books; it is a great way to learn and be inspired!

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@hopeful33250
I was so honored that you asked me. It was great working with you on this. You're such a great source of support on the NET board.

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Profile picture for Cheryl, Volunteer Mentor @cehunt57

@lindabees and @hopeful33250 thank you for the great Spotlight. I especially appreciate your testimony of your faith. That means everything to me also.
I too love reading. Have you discovered Mayo Clinic Press? That is a great resource for people who love to read.

Jump to this post

@cehunt57
Thanks for the tip about Mayo Clinic Press. I'll have to check that out

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Profile picture for Turkey, Volunteer Mentor @tomrennie

@lindabees You deserve this recognition and more. Sharing your husband's PNET journey since 2008 in the NETS group gives the rest of us hope. Your knowledge and experience give us guidance. Your comforting words give us the resolve to keep moving forward. You have helped me so much with my personal PNET journey. I am grateful. It takes a village to manage our unique illness. I feel blessed to have you as part of mine.

I also want to tell you how much I enjoy the opportunities to collaborate with you in the NETs group. In case you haven't noticed, our paths might have crossed a time or two. Your passion to help others shows with every comment. It becomes infectious. It inspires others, me included, to do the same.

I can't thank you enough for being you. But, I am going to try. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you...

Jump to this post

@tomrennie Wow, Tom. Thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so happy to know that I've helped in some way.
I think about tbe
strangers on online forums that educated me on this disease after the diagnosis. Without their help, I hate to think where we'd be now.
If I can pay that forward to others and maybe make a difference, I consider that an honor.
Stay strong and be well!

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