Rockin’ down the Pacific Coast Highway: Meet @mnewland99

TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@mnewland99: I found Mayo Clinic Connect by chance when I was searching the Internet for information about the meaning of a rising tumor marker called CA19-9 and pancreatic cancer. I felt like my doctors weren’t providing me with the information that I needed. My oncologist’s nurse practitioner told me there was no need to panic about my rising CA19-9. Ironically, both my oncologist at the time and my surgeon advised me to stay away from the Internet. Thank goodness I ignored their advice! On Mayo Clinic Connect, I found helpful information and people in similar situations.

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

@mnewland99: It’s such an active community and there’s an incredible sense of camaraderie. I have learned so much from Mayo Clinic Connect that I feel like it literally saved my life. 

@markymarkfl had a journey and mutations similar to mine, so when he wrote that it was an MRI that caught some metastases in his liver, I asked my then oncologist if she would order one for me. Luckily, she agreed and the MRI showed two small lesions in my liver, which confirmed the reason for my rising tumor marker.

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

@mnewland99: There are so many members at different stages of this cancer; some battling pain, nausea, loss of appetite, some on hospice, etc. and yet everyone takes a little time away from their own journey and finds a way to offer information that can help another person. I feel even though I have not met anyone in person (yet) that we are friends. There is no judgment. You get a real sense of empathy and understanding from members, rather than pity which you sometimes get from people outside of this forum, unintentionally I suppose.

TERESA: What support groups do you participate in?

@mnewland99: Before I found Mayo Clinic Connect, I used to participate in a Zoom online group through my hospital. It was right after my surgery, and I did get some helpful answers. Currently, the Pancreatic Cancer support group on Mayo Clinic Connect is the only group that I am a participant in. 

I have sought offerings like beauty services (wigs, makeup) for cancer patients through some medical groups in my area that offer it for free.

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

@mnewland99: When I first came to Mayo Clinic Connect, @markymarkfl responded to a comment I made and sent me some links about the significance in a trend of rising CA19-9. It literally saved my life because I was able to catch my metastases early. Also, @gamaryanne made a comment about cisplatin not necessarily being needed if you do not have some particular mutations (BRCAs and PALB). I talked to my oncologist about it and he agreed that there wasn’t any evidence that could verify 100% that cisplatin would make a difference for my ATM or KRAS12D or TP53 mutations. So it has been dropped from my chemotherapy protocol (at least for now as I’m seeing if it makes a difference in my tumor marker). Obviously, having one less chemo drug in the mix has been a lot easier on my body and a lot lighter on my pocketbook! 

Also, the posts from relatives or friends of cancer patients like @steveron @breemichelle26 and @mommacandy; their level of caring has so impressed me. I wish I could name everyone. Really everyone on this forum that has taken time to make a post and respond to others in such a kind and supportive way has literally restored my faith in humanity; especially when things in our world seem so divided at times.

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

@mnewland99: The level of knowledge about pancreatic cancer from Connect members has astounded me. I have somewhat of a scientific background from my education, and obviously we are so lucky for members like @stageivsurvivor who has a wealth of information about this disease and has helped so many of us. There are so many others who have provided so much helpful information that is beyond my immediate comprehension. When I joined this group, it was to find some information about pancreatic cancer; I never thought I would form a connection with the members where I often refer to members as my online “friends”.

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

@mnewland99: Finding balance is the greatest challenge living with this disease! We all have an expiration date. Nobody gets out of this (life) alive, but when you’ve been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, you have a better idea that it’s going to be sooner rather than later, ha ha. 

I have immediate family members (you KNOW who you are) who have been there for me; even my nieces and sister-in-law (ex) came from Australia to visit me. I go out to lunch with friends I used to work with and we talk for hours about our old job, politics, or trips. I forget about my battle with pancreatic cancer for those hours that I’m with them laughing and joking. I try to keep working in my environmental consulting business, getting contracts when I can, and getting different certifications in my field.

Also, I have a good oncologist who is very calming and empathetic. My faith helps with balance although it has wavered sometimes during this journey. I remind myself not to ask “why me?”

TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@mnewland99: I’ve always loved the ocean environment, even though I do not do any ocean sports – I’m not athletic at all! But my husband, and sometimes my son, walk with me in the nearby Bolsa Chica Wetlands. I also have a bucket list. As a result, I have gone to several expensive restaurants that I would have never gone to if I didn’t have a bucket list. I’m usually a real cheapskate. One of the best times I had was going to an *80’s” concert. I was supposed to go with my half-sister who had to cancel at the last minute due to an emergency. I called the son of my best friend (who had passed away from gallbladder cancer just a few short weeks after my pancreatic surgery) to give him the tickets, but instead he offered to go with me, and we had a great time!

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

@mnewland99: Yes, really simple ones:

“When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” and “Keep the faith.”

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

@mnewland99: How they expect nothing from me and just want to support me. They make me laugh and help me forget about having cancer. They don’t ask me about my prognosis, which is a question I don’t directly ask my health care providers. I do let them know how much I appreciate and love them and treat them to lunch occasionally or they treat me, or we all go dutch. I have one very good friend that sends a prayer picture and good wishes every single day! Another friend I talk to almost every day even though she moved to Idaho a few years ago. I worked at my last job for almost 30 years and retired from that agency 8 years ago and I value the friendships I developed there so much. My best friend since high school passed away from gallbladder cancer 3 weeks after my surgery and due to complications I wasn’t able to visit her in the hospital during her last days or attend her funeral in person. However, her son and daughter are so devoted to me that I feel like I still have contact with her. There are others praying for me, as well and I believe more than anything that prayer is helping me keep strong.

TERESA: What food can you simply not resist?

@mnewland99: Frozen yogurt! A mixture of chocolate and plain tart with a scoop of almonds, always!

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

@mnewland99: I have no idea, but a female version of Gregory Peck would be ideal. In 7th or 8th grade I saw the movie to Kill A Mockingbird and fell in love with the role Gregory Peck played. I think he portrayed the characteristic of integrity well in that film. I’ve tried to live my life like that as much as I can.

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

@mnewland99: I live near the beach and was lucky enough when I was in college to also live near the beach. Looking out at the beautiful blue ocean is so calming and peaceful for me. On the last day of my 5-FU chemo session last year I drove down Pacific Coast Highway and played rock music real loud with my window rolled down and my arm out to feel the ocean breeze and yelled out a victory call! Corny, I know, but it was fun. I didn’t care who heard or saw me.

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