Your life matters. All of our lives matter. 😊 I am 63, and still remember a time or two in my youth when pediatricians made house calls! lol! The medical industry has changed so much. And while some changes are wonderful, I know I long for the slower days of my youth when I felt a personal, genuine and trusting relationship with my physicians. Time constraints make it harder and harder for the best of medical professionals to devote as much individual attention to us as we all might wish. I think our generation is learning we must strongly advocate for ourselves, and command attention if we must! 😊

My doctor and the entire team at Mayo Clinic has treated me like gold. They genuinely care, listen, offer support and guidance, take their time without rushing you, and are open to hearing out and responding to patients’ questions, concerns and needs.

I strongly urge you to do a Mayo Clinic consult. I have Stage Four NET cancer, and my blood work looks deceptively good. But proper scans and additional work-up’s show my cancer has metastasized. The symptoms you described can be caused by so many conditions - but my cancer causes similar symptoms to what you describe. Please get additional tests just to be crystal clear.

I think your note resonated with me because as we get older, many of us do find ourselves feeling alone. I lost my husband of 33 years and many of my extended family have died. It’s not easy dealing with serious symptoms, particularly when some of us are alone. (My husband would have been bringing me a bowl of homemade chicken soup.)

We NET and other patients must stick together. You are not alone. We understand and we’re here for you! Please keep us posted.

Karen from Florida