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Geri was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2003. She lives in Lexington, Kentucky where she receives her care at Markey Cancer Center by NETS specialist, Dr. Lowell Anthony. She believes that it is important to remain active and to give back to the Cancer community. To do this she serves on the Patient Advisory Board at Markey and by being the facilitator for the NCAN support group in Kentucky. She also serves as Patient Ambassador through Lexicon Pharmacuticals, which allows her to share her story to encourage other Neuroendocrine patients on a national level. Her greatest loves are her faith, family and friends and she says that she is blessed to remain active in the lives of her grandchildren.

Gigi’s Journey with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer (pNET)

In July/August 2020, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor (pNET), Grade 1 – a rare type of pancreatic cancer that accounts for only 1% of pancreatic cancers. Unlike the more aggressive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, my cancer arises from the islet cells of the pancreas, the same type that Steve Jobs and Aretha Franklin battled.

Leading up to my diagnosis, I experienced symptoms that are now unmistakable indicators of neuroendocrine cancer: facial flushing, heart palpitations, severe abdominal pain, and diarrhea. An irregular heartbeat prompted me to visit the ER, where a cardiologist’s evaluation led to further tests. It was a liver biopsy that revealed the true diagnosis, proving how crucial it is for specialists to recognize these subtle symptoms.

For a year and a half after surgery, I was no evidence of disease. During this time, I resumed cycling, achieving over 2,000 miles on my bike. But when my tumors reappeared in my liver, I began monthly Lanreotide injections – a life-extending treatment with difficult side effects, including steatorrhea (fat digestion issues), excessive gas, and blood sugar problems. In fact, my treatment led to a secondary diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, which I now manage daily.

Throughout this journey, I’ve learned how important early detection and specialist care are. pNET is often misunderstood and misdiagnosed because its symptoms – hormonal issues, flushing, and even irregular heartbeat – are subtle and can mimic other conditions like menopause or IBS. I’ve also come to understand that pNET tumors can be functional (secreting hormones and causing carcinoid syndrome) or non-functional, making diagnosis even trickier.

Living with cancer is a lifelong journey, but I am committed to raising awareness and sharing my story. As a chapter leader for NCAN (Neuroendocrine Cancer Awareness Network), I advocate for better education about neuroendocrine cancers, ensuring others find the right specialists and treatments before it’s too late.

I continue to face this slow-growing cancer with resilience, drawing on my background as a competitive swimmer – knowing that sometimes, you simply have to face the challenge head-on, one stroke at a time.