French fries with mayonnaise: Meet @jaxfl

Apr 23 8:00am | Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Comments (22)

Sunset in Florida, member spotlight @jaxfl

TERESA: What brought you to Mayo Clinic Connect?

@jaxfl: When I was diagnosed with bladder cancer, it was determined that I needed immediate surgery (radical cystectomy). Luckily Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida was able to schedule me for surgery the next week. So far I have found Mayo Clinic to be the very best out there. It was during treatment that I learned about the online community, Mayo Clinic Connect.

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

@jaxfl: I spent a significant amount of time researching bladder cancer and learned a lot through my journey. I use this knowledge and experience to help other patients.

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

@jaxfl: I find it a well moderated community with polite members. Sadly, the contemporary internet is not always as pleasant.

TERESA: What support groups do you participate in?

@jaxfl: I post in the Bladder Cancer support group and also follow the Ostomy & J-Pouch support group.

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

@jaxfl: I find the shared experiences about Signatera very interesting. Signatera is a relatively new blood test that can identify molecular residual disease (MRD), or recurrent cancer, by detecting the presence of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). It turns out it is not binary but varies across patients.

The moderating team is wonderfully patient and kind whilst being firm. This exemplifies Mayo Clinic Connect—caring within reasonable rules.

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

@jaxfl: The number of members and the activity rivals other patient online communities.

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

@jaxfl: I stay energized by staying busy, finding companionship on Mayo Clinic Connect, and marveling at modern medicine. I’m also grateful to the outstanding care at Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, especially Dr Kase and his team. They are remarkable people who partner with the patient.

TERESA: Tell us about your favorite pastime or activity.

@jaxfl: I enjoy spending time with my family (wife and sons), tinkering on vintage computers, and taking trips to Las Vegas, NV and Atlantic City, NJ.

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

@jaxfl: I take solace in the meditations of Marcus Aurelius, ancient Roman emperor and stoic philosopher. To paraphrase, he said: "Focus solely on what you control—your thoughts, actions, and responses—while accepting external events without emotional distress.”

TERESA: What food can you not resist?

@jaxfl: French fries with mayonnaise. I am from the Netherlands and this is our national naughty pleasure.

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

@jaxfl: Fleming Island, in northeast Florida, is an oasis with St Johns River, Doctors Lake and many stores and restaurants within 5 to 10 minutes.

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Miriam, Volunteer Mentor | @mir123 | Apr 23 8:49am

I depend on Marcus Aurelius, whose Stoic philosophy has helped me many times. Never had French fries with mayo, though! Thanks for being here on Connect. Enjoyed the interview.

Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Apr 23 10:41am

Hello @jaxfl

I so appreciate the opportunity to interview you for this Mayo Connect Spotlight. You, like many of us, have found connection and companionship here on Connect. I'm glad that Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, has been so helpful to you and that you are sharing your experiences here on Connect.

"Focusing solely on what we can control..." is a great life mantra.

By the way, I'm now tempted to try mayo with my next order of French fries!

westwoman3698 | @westwoman3698 | Apr 23 11:06am

Love the FF and mayo comment. I was introduced to them in Germany 40 years ago and continue to this day. Welcome to mayo connection!

jaxfl | @jaxfl | Apr 23 12:05pm

LOL. It is a very peculiar acquired taste. So those who disagree are not wrong. Nor are we that enjoy it!

Enjoy summer all!

And Teresa, thank you for all you do!

mamajite | @mamajite | Apr 23 12:14pm

hello @jaxfl - I enjoyed reading your Spotlight. thank you for mentioning the Signatera test. I hadn't heard of it, but I've bookmarked it for the future. the sunset photo you shared is stunning!

Mike | @dadcue | Apr 23 12:32pm

I lived in the Netherlands for 2 years. French fries (Frites) with mayonnaise were fantastic. I was never sure how to spell it but I quickly learned how to say the Dutch word for French fries. French fries with mayonnaise is better than ketchup. Mayonnaise in the Netherlands is better than here too!

katgob | @katgob | Apr 23 1:23pm

I love plain crispy fries. I managed a McDonalds for over 20 years. I do though, love the Netherlands!! Thank you for your post and willingness to be interviewed. Very insightful on your May Clinic experience.
As to Signatera, at City of Hope, thy use Guardant reveal. I think that is the name. I have been on the fence with it. Breast cancer in 2021. MDS in 2023. My five years for Breast cancer is July 2026. It took a bit of time to see if my insurance would cover it. I will look for Mayo's information on why i might or might not do it.

Linda, Volunteer Mentor | @walkinggirl | Apr 23 3:21pm

Thank you for sharing your story on Spotlight, @jaxfl!

isadora2021 | @isadora2021 | Apr 24 6:01am

I’m so glad to hear your bladder cancer surgery has been successful and I hope you’re adjusting well to your new normal. Thank you for raising Signatera. I’m still getting my head across it. Apparently it’s not suitable for my appendix cancer. I’m not sure why not.

Loved your post. It resonated in so many ways! I too am a follower (?) of Marcus Aurelius. My father introduced me to his writings when I was very young. To my surprise he was easy to read. An amazing man. So many wonderful quotes including to think of yourself as dead then live what’s rest of your life properly. It amused me at the time but since my own cancer diagnosis it has been easier to take on board!!

Australians love French fries too but usually with garlic aioli rather than straight mayo. No doubt we pinched the idea from the Dutch! Absolutely delicious.

141emp | @141emp | Apr 25 6:20am

Hi @jaxfl , l loved your story and really appreciate what you bring to this group, especially since we share a similar diagnosis. This group and Connect in general is really an amazing resource. I follow the dementia caregivers group as well ( for a dear friend caring for her partner with MCI and who is too afraid to join) and have also recommended it to my nephew who is being treated at Mayo Rochester for a gastro issue. He was sent there by his drs at Vanderbilt (Tennessee )when they could not determine what was wrong and is doing MUCH better!
I was craving pasta until I read this. I’ll be having fries today when I have lunch with a friend😊