Connect
ROSEMARY: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?
@katgob: I found Mayo Clinic while looking up information online about the BRCA2 gene, ovarian cancer and other possible cancers that could occur with this genetic mutation. I also found many posts on Mayo Clinic Connect with good information. When facing a bone marrow biopsy last year, I found more great information and personal experiences. When I saw I could join Mayo Clinic Connect even though I was not a patient, I created an account right away.
A family member was diagnosed with ovarian cancer, so I wanted to learn more about the diagnosis and what to expect. I and another family member had our tubes and ovaries removed. My family member who has a cancer diagnosis did not. Would it have helped prevent their outcome? That is something we will never know.
Connect opened the door to hearing how others handle this question with their loved ones. My family member prefers to share little about their cancer journey. I have accepted that their journey and their choices are theirs. I’m grateful to be able to learn more with members on Mayo Clinic Connect.
ROSEMARY: What motivates you to take part in the community?
@katgob: I love that the mentors are members who have walked a similar path as we have with our various cancers and conditions. Lori (@loribmt) answered my first post about my new diagnosis of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) in October 2023.
I am amazed at the knowledge members have and their willingness to share their experiences about treatment and more. I realized that sharing about the treatments I’ve had may help someone else too.
ROSEMARY: What about Mayo Clinic Connect makes you feel comfortable to share and to be open with the community?
@katgob: From the first posts that I read, I found answers to my questions. Knowing that my bone marrow biopsy and transplant journey was experienced by many members made me feel I could walk through it one day at a time and encourage others to do the same. I walked through breast cancer a few years ago and knew that my experiences might be helpful to someone else on their journey.
ROSEMARY: What support groups do you participate in?
@katgob: I mainly take part in:
- Aging Well
- Blood Cancers & Disorders
- Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) & CAR-T Cell Therapy
- Breast Cancer
- Osteoporosis & Bone Health
- Transplants
As well as other support groups where I visit and learn.
ROSEMARY: Tell us about a meaningful moment on Mayo Clinic Connect.
@katgob: Mentor @loribmt was my first and most helpful contact since I joined. I had breast cancer but had no idea how I felt about blood cancer. I had been a platelet donor for 25 years before my breast cancer, so being diagnosed with MDS blood cancer was crazy. I said, “God, really?”
As soon as I posted on Mayo Clinic Connect, I received a reply from Lori. Her humor brought out my humor. I was filled with all I needed to start my first day of conditioning for BMT (bone marrow transplant) all the way through transplant and the next 100 days. City of Hope, where I get treatment, operates in many ways like Mayo Clinic, so everything Lori shared was valuable and needed, even if not exactly the same.
Lori’s sense of humor is priceless! She shared that the newly transplanted cells would take residence in my marrow like many minions. “They know right where to go”, she said. Getting my chemo just before transplant day I was told by the transplant nurse that I would be given popsicles and ice to keep my mouth frozen during my chemo treatment. This would help stop mouth sores. I knew I needed something to occupy my head’s thinking, so what did I do? I watched the movie “Minions” of course!
ROSEMARY: What surprised you the most about Mayo Clinic Connect?
@katgob: The kindness and support you can find in the support groups. You get encouragement, truth and hope. And you can give the same to other members who are scared and fearful. Cancer unites through empathy, hope and support. You feel it in the words of the posts. We only know each other online, yet I feel like I could sit with Lori and others as dear friends.
ROSEMARY: What energizes you, or how do you find balance in your life?
@katgob: My breast cancer opened my eyes to a new journey. One I never thought I would encounter. My MDS and bone marrow transplant opened the door wider to fitness, eating well and making adjustments to create balance in my life. I must be a 100% active person in my own life. I feel accountable, too. A transplant patient is connected for life with the transplant team. My breast cancer surgeon said the same thing about my BRCA2 mutation.
Being accountable means taking care of me!
ROSEMARY: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.
@katgob: One of my favorite activities has been volunteering with my local cat and dog rescue. I help clean, feed and socialize cats. Over 12 years I have only taken home 3 cats! Two were kittens. Hazel was my beautiful white cat with one blue and one green eye. My 3rd cat is still with me. He was a bully to my Hazel but he has found he cannot bully me.
ROSEMARY: Do you have a favorite quote, life motto or personal mantra?
@katgob: Two well-known phrases have helped me through my cancer journeys:
- “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” from the Serenity Prayer
- “One day at a time”
ROSEMARY: What do you appreciate the most in your friends?
@katgob: The ability to laugh and to not take themselves too seriously.
ROSEMARY: What food can you simply not resist?
@katgob: Chips and salsa with a bite of chocolate or too as a bonus.
ROSEMARY: If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see cast as you?
@katgob: Melissa McCarthy.
ROSEMARY: What do you love about where you live or vacation?
@katgob: I have lived in Southern California my whole life. My favorite vacation would be jumping on a plane to an overseas location. For now, touring the eastern states, meeting people, and seeing the world through different glasses has been my joy the last few years.
Member Spotlights feature interviews with fellow 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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Kat! It’s wonderful to see a photo of you! Up until now you’ve been left to my imagination…that’s always a scary place. 😅 No worries, your smile is as radiant as expected because you are always so uplifting and supportive with your replies in the Connect community and your humor brings a much needed comic relief! We’re kindred spirits for sure! You had me at Melissa McCarthy!
It’s been my absolute pleasure to have helped mentor you through your MDS and bone marrow transplant odyssey…I’d call it a journey but it’s more significant than that, isn’t it? We each have our unique experiences and challenges with the procedure but the outcome is a second chance at life. It’s certainly daunting for anyone to hear the words that they have a blood cancer/leukemia/lymphoma that will require chemo and a bone marrow transplant (BMT) to keep them from pushing up daisies from the underside. It can be comforting and a morale booster to be able to speak with someone who has walked that rocky path before you.
Kat, you’ve been through a great deal of serious medical adventures over the past few years and yet continue to be positive and encouraging while relaying your own experiences. What you’ve endured and overcome, by sharing…becomes someone else’s survival guide!
Thank you for sharing more about you and your life with @rosemarya.
Wish I we lived closer, I’d join you for the chips/salsa/chocolate combo!
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14 ReactionsLori,
I wish the same too. My father grew up in a small town in Minnesota. I visit my sister in western NY every year, and we go drive to other states. Who knows!!!! She and my other sister visited there a few years back. I have not been since i was 13.
For a picture, I was at a retreat i have attended for every 30 years. I feel like that is a bit of what we do here. Love, empathy, humor and from the heart sharing. Plus, my hair is past my shoulders like i wore it for 40 years.
I get ready to start my workday today knowing my chimerism results for my 6-month marrow test will not be here for maybe another week, but tomorrow, i get a few vaccines!!! Here, from you i knew at 6 months that good things may happen, like a few vaccines to get started. So, I asked and what does my portal say but i have an "injection" appointment!! I messaged the NP and she said, yes, it is a vaccine!!!
I am grateful my journey may help someone else with their journey.
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13 ReactionsHello @katgob,
It was great getting to know you through your Spotlight. I'm so glad that you are sharing your experience with breast cancer here on Connect. I especially enjoyed your comment, "My breast cancer opened my eyes to a new journey." That's true for so many of us. It is not a journey that we would have chosen, but we work to make the best of it. I'm glad that you are part of the Connect community.
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7 ReactionsThank you, Teresa. I am grateful to have found Mayo Connect to learn and share. Breast cancer 1st, which was never something I thought I would ever get. MDs because of a 5q/TP53 mutation and chemo most likely. Mayo connect is a resource I love to share.
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6 Reactions@katgob So nice to get to know you through a great interview. Yes, a cancer diagnosis does open your eyes and pivot you on a new, unknown path. Thank you for sharing with us.
Light radiates outward from your uplifting words and approach to your present situation. I found myself smiling as I read you words.
Thank you and have a wonderful day.
Cindy C
@cindysummit
CHrcc
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6 ReactionsThank you @katgob for sharing your story. I follow the BMT group each day as I am waiting for a BMT donor to be found. It is inspiring to read the experiences of others who have gone thru the process and encouraging to see the progress made with the passing days. Wishing you continued healing and good health.
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7 ReactionsYour mottos are absolutely perfect!! I admire your way of thinking in conquering life’s health challenges. Meanwhile, enjoy your tour of the eastern states. I’m an east coast girl with an addiction to east coast seafood, but I’ve been known to like chips and salsa (well, they’re served with crab dip instead of salsa here). Thanks for sharing your story!
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5 Reactions@j0318, I hope you’re able to be paired with a donor soon.
@katgob has been such an exemplary role model for anyone preparing for a BMT. She had a few logistic hurdles initially with trying to round up caregivers to make this all possible. Attitude and effort were her successful partners and now she’s on the recovery side of transplant and starting to enjoy her second chance at life. She’ll be here, along with the rest of us who have had BMTs to help you along your adventure path. ☺️
When was the search for a donor initiated?
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6 Reactionsj0318- Please keep us posted on your journey. The whole process from diagnosis, donor matching and conditioning to prep for the transplant were a positive experience for me as i took the digital tool we had in 2023 and found Mayo Clinic connect and Lori who provided all the extra info i needed to face my transplant.
The bit of humor from my doctor visit Fridy the 11th. My Dr. had said your chimerism results are in. I said they are, what do they say? I did not see them in my portal!!! I said did my old girl cells kick the young 26-year-old fellow out. He said no, you are 100% donor with a Y chromosome. You are a man!!!! I said oh no, i need my girls. He said no you don't. This is where we want you.
This journey opens your eyes to the magic, of what the human body can do.
My "Be aMatch' search started in early October of2023. Matches were found within a month. Amazing.
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8 Reactions@ loribmt and @katgob
Thank you both so much for your responses and encouragement! It is good to know that you are there if I am fortunate enough to receive this treatment. I realize that the process of finding a donor match to the actual stem cell collection can be challenging. It is a good daily lesson in trust and patience for me 🙂.
You both are great role models in this community and it has been so helpful to follow your posts and continue to learn about this incredible process. Fascinating about the Y chromosome @katgob and @loribmt I smile when I think about some of your descriptions of your chimerism 🙂. I agree that the BMT itself and how our bodies are capable of responding to this procedure is fascinating.
My donor search started mid-September and the nurse emailed me the next day to say there were some really good potential matches in the registry. I have not heard anything further so trying to be patient and trust that this will happen for me. It is so good to hear @katgob that your matches were found so quickly! I did get my welcome packet from the NMDP (aka the club that no one aspires to join as a recipient lol). My best friend and I were trying to come up with an appropriate theme song for the NMDP recipient club 🙂.
I do agree that positive attitude, effort, hope, and humor are so important on this strange journey - I will add self forgiveness as well for the times when I don’t quite reflect those other qualities 🥴. MCC has been a great resource in reminding me how fortunate my journey has been and of the strength we all carry within us.
Thank you both again for your support and encouragement. I will keep you posted as this progresses. 🙏🙏🙏
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