ELLEN MAYER
What is your name?
Ellen Mayer
How long have you been living with GIST?
10 year Anniversary of NED this past May.
What was your first thought when you were diagnosed with GIST?
They will remove it and I will be fine. Am I going to die?
What do you do?
Fine Artist, Graphic Designer, and have a patent for a clothing invention. Working with social media companies to help with the growth of the platform such as Social Boosting services.
How are you doing now?
I feel great! Some indigestion from part of my stomach being removed and sometimes I can feel nauseous but other then that I lead a normal life.
I Turbo Kickbox and box! I am stronger then I ever was before G.I.S.T.
GIST is called a “rare” cancer, how do you feel about that term being applied to you?
Special, and you wonder how I can say that? Well, I like to talk, and now I am talking to everyone all the time, to inform everyone what GIST is and help send a message out not only to friends but doctors, nurses, and specialist in every field; information about GIST, so they will be aware of this Cancer and tell others who then will tell others and maybe we can find a cure for GIST.
Tell me a little about your special characteristic.
I have been an artist from a young age when we couldn’t afford nice drawing paper growing up and my mom would give me the paper bags from the grocery store to draw on. I remember thinking that the children who had a 64 box of crayons were rich. That did not stop me from drawing, painting and creating.
Now as an adult I could afford these things but still choose to create from what I have, I don’t need the best paintbrushes or the most expensive canvas, but it taught being an artist is your talent and not in your supplies. My ability not to give up a dream. That is how I deal with GIST, never give up.
