Gastrointestinal Neuroendocrine Tumor Patient Stories

Before my cancer diagnosis, I’d had stomachaches on and off for years. My husband and I work as landscapers in the summer, and I always felt good during those months. It was when we’d stop working in the winter that I’d start to feel unwell.

I saw a few doctors over the span of about five years, but the pain was never consistent, so we didn’t take it too seriously. I figured it must be due to wintertime inactivity and eating poorly. Worst case, I thought I might have Crohn’s disease, because my brother and niece both have it, but no doctor ever confirmed that suspicion.

As someone who works in oncology clinical trials, I’m pretty familiar with hospitals and medical centers in the Philadelphia area and what their specialties are when it comes to cancer. Still, at the age of 52, I did not expect to be diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor, also known as NET, and be faced with the decision of where to go to receive the best treatment.

In October of 2020, at 59 years old, I started having some back pain. I worked in construction, so lower back pain was normal, but this time the pain was in my upper back. I went to my primary doctor and she noticed that my kidney was not functioning fully. She thought it might be due to my diabetes medication.

After two months of a lowered dosage of medication, my pain only got worse. I was sent to the local urologist, and when he saw something on my X-rays he immediately referred me to Fox Chase Cancer Center.

I am in good hands with my care team. Their multidisciplinary approach made it possible for me to regain my quality of life and look forward to my future.

My care team at Fox Chase had such a confident and laid-back demeanor. We were on the same page, and their expertise made me feel more secure.