LINDA REISS
What is your name?
Linda Reiss
How long have you been living with GIST?
I was diagnosed with GIST in October, 2009.
What was your first thought when you were diagnosed with GIST?
Looking back, I had no conception of what, why and how the diagnosis of GIST was going to affect my life. I believed for long period of time, I was in denial that I had a “rare cancer”. I prayed that I would be given the strength to overcome any adversities that would present itself in the future.
What do you do?
At the time I was diagnosed with GIST, I was in my final semester in Graduate School for Social Work and had to temporarily go on a medical leave. I returned to school the following year and received my Master of Social Work. I am now a Medical Social Worker for a non-profit agency for clients who are homebound.