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Chris joins us today to share her cancer treatment journey while facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and worldwide quarantines. We discussed why she chose to attend her care appointments in person instead of virtually and the challenges many cancer doctors faced in treating patients during the quarantines. We discuss how Chris leveraged her passion for quilting, embroidery, and crafting to not only manage the loneliness and emotional strain of the COVID pandemic and cancer treatment but also to give back to her community. We discuss what immunotherapy treatment is, its benefits and side effects, and its ability to activate a patient’s immune system to fight cancer cells. We also discuss how Chris’s quality of life has been impacted since her cancer diagnosis and treatment and the value of connecting with other cancer survivors through online and in-person communities to find comfort, inspiration, and hope.
Chris Gruetzmacher is a remarkable 73-year-old mother and 2-time cancer survivor. As the world grappled with the pandemic, Chris embarked on her cancer treatment journey, finding solace and strength in her unwavering faith. Never one to sit idly, she constantly seeks ways to support others, dedicating her time to crafting heartfelt quilts for veterans. Chris’s own battle with cancer has become a powerful tool for connection as she reaches out to fellow cancer patients and survivors, offering them encouragement and a beacon of hope along their shared journey.
“You have to just take in the moment, deal with it, and then go on with your life the best you can.”
~Chris Gruetzmacher
This week on Cancer Covered:
- Chris’s cancer treatment journey and what it was like receiving cancer treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Leveraging in-person doctor visits as a way to socially connect with others during the COVID-19 quarantines
- The challenges associated with treating patients during the coronavirus quarantines
- Quilting and crafting to pass the time, manage emotional stress, and give back to military veterans
- The importance of faith and family support
- Participating in clinical trials
- Understanding immunotherapy treatments, their benefits, and their side effects
- The value of participating in cancer survivor communities both in-person and online
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