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TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?
@kim1965: A few years ago, I had knee replacement surgery, and was off work for 5 weeks. I found a knee replacement community similar to the Mayo Clinic Connect community and was able to reach out to another patient that had surgery the same day I did. We shared all kinds of information during rehab to help each other regain mobility and get back to our prior activity levels that we had before the surgery.
When my wife was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) on her liver and pancreas, I remembered how much just discussing the surgery helped me. I looked online and found the Mayo NET support group , and have been hooked ever since. There’s so much valuable information that members share to help my wife. It’s also rewarding to share our story and hopefully help others navigate a diagnosis of NETs.
TERESA: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?
@kim1965: Being able to share in a written form has always been comfortable for me. Talking about NETs and my wife's diagnosis always brings tears to my eyes. It is very uncomfortable talking about it and knowing how close I came to losing her. Mayo Clinic . Connect allows people to think about their responses. I always consider how my posts can possibly help another person working through a diagnosis with NETs. I like to hope that what we have experienced might make another person’s journey somehow easier, even if just a little.
TERESA: What groups do you participate in?
@kim1965: Our main support group is the Neuroendocrine Tumors (NETs) support group and sometimes the Pancreatic Cancer support group.
TERESA: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.
@kim1965: There were 3 or 4 people who had surgery around the same time as my wife. We all continue to update our progress, which I find uplifting. On the forums, we learned that after having the tail of pancreas, gallbladder and spleen removed, it was very important to get up and walk in the hospital hallways as much as possible. We tried it and it was extremely effective in helping my wife. From that point forward, I tried to share ideas like that which might possibly help someone else in their recovery.
TERESA: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?
@kim1965: Usually in forums like this you are grouped together with people talking of all types of cancer. What I love about Mayo Clinic Connect is that patients and caregivers can choose specific support group and have only one place to go to be updated about NETs and issues that other NET patients are experiencing.That way the members can help each other quicker and more specifically. As I say to others on Mayo Clinic Connect…WE GOT THIS!
TERESA: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?
@kim1965: I’m energized by enjoying the rest of my life with my wife and having the best experiences of our life together still. We make the most of getting quality time with our families.
TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.
@kim1965: At 60 something, I enjoy being a golf caddy on the weekends in Wisconsin at one of the best golf courses in the USA. I’ve been doing it for over 24 years. I’m a natural people person and love giving people a great golf experience at our course. Being a caddy also doubles as exercise and to stay in shape walking 17 miles each day.
TERESA: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?
@kim1965: That’s easy, “WE GOT THIS”.
TERESA: What do you love about where you live or vacation?
@kim1965: We live in Wisconsin, a great state for many reasons. People are generally so nice. Being in the middle of the US allows us to visit and camp in many beautiful locations around the Midwest.
TERESA: Puppies or kittens?
@kim1965: Both actually, having had two kittens (cats really) and three great dogs over the years. Roco, our current dog, always accompanies us camping.
Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow Mayo Clinic Connect members. Learn more about members you’ve connected with and some you haven’t met yet. Nominate a member you think should share the spotlight.
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@kim1965, what a beautiful, warm and uplifting story. I love how you are focused on what you have right now, and how much you recognize the power of now...what you have, not what you don't have. You are so right about Mayo Connect being a special place for everyone, from everywhere to share anything and everything!
Rosemary, thank you for posting such a loving and touching Spotlight.
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9 ReactionsHi @kim1965
Thanks for the opportunity to interview you! It was a delight to hear your story and then to be able to share it with the Mayo Connect community. You have helped many as you have shared and encouraged others who have this rare form of cancer. NETs are a journey that none of us would have chosen, but you and your wife have handled it with grace and courage!
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6 Reactions@kim1965 Wow!! Thank you for sharing your story with the world! It's so powerful! Your unyielding strength and courage to persevere, along with endurance thru pain and hardship are incredible...truly. What an amazing testimony - I'm so blown away and inspired! Thank you!! It's a pleasure to meet you here - and, you're exactly right - MCC is a very special place, full of truly wonderful people who are in this together. As I sit here enduring my own struggles, I am encouraged by your strength. Thank you thank you thank you 🙂 You never know who might glean from a tidbit of your story, at the right moment ... amazing. Take care!
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9 ReactionsThanks for sharing your journey(s) with us! What you said about learning from each other through MCC is what hit me the most. So many of us have nobody we actually know in the same or similar situations as ourselves, and find ourselves surrounded by people (including doctors) wanting to share 2nd/3rd hand stories or theories on how to manage our illnesses and prosper. But Mayo Connect actually does help connect us to others who are fighting or have fought similar maladies and have first hand experiences to share to help us thrive, and more quickly! I love how positive you are, and how you understand the need to stay active. I ran a marathon once when I had good legs - but walk 17 miles almost every day? Kudos to you, that’s quite awesome after knee surgery! Thanks for sharing, and best wishes for both of you as you continue your journey.
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11 ReactionsAmazing stories that gives me strength and trying to stay positive for my partner. He is having laparoscopic in 2 weeks for panc/spleen. Everyday I can just let my tears out while in the shower. I wished he doesn't have to go through it. I always read positive comments like yours to give me strength and that there is hope after turbulence. Finding tumour in his panc duct early is a blessing 🙏 Thank you and God Bless
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5 ReactionsIt’s sweet to read yours and others stories/comments whom stick by your partners 🙂
I’m sure it’s hard to watch. But it’s nice you’re still there.
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