Caregiver Testimonial: Kristin Gendron

Guest blog post by Kristin Gendron, caregiver and advocate: 

“During my mom’s battle with stage 4 melanoma, her strength really stood out. Cancer treatment of any stage can be very taxing mentally and physically and there are a lot of highs and lows through the treatment process. As a caregiver, I found it’s important to be encouraging and to show support! Caregivers should do whatever they can manage: emotional support, running errands, cooking meals, or finding an organization that funds research. My dad, siblings, and I all took turns helping out, ensuring she wasn’t alone for doctor’s appointments or treatments. Despite the severity of her situation, my mom always managed to stay strong and even kept our spirits up during some of the hardest times. Our teamwork ensured she had constant support and a lot of love surrounding her.

When she was first diagnosed with stage 4, it was a scary time. The hospital she was originally getting treatment from didn’t have many options and so instead of accepting that as an answer, we researched other hospitals and other clinical trials. This is when we found University of Chicago was having a clinical trial which she was accepted into. I learned that there are multiple options and it’s important to advocate for yourself and your loved ones. Always get second opinions and exhaust all options for possible treatment – you never know if it can save a life! 

Seeing her face this illness with such bravery brought our family closer and taught us all a lot about sticking together through tough times. It was hard, but it also showed us how strong we can be when we all work together. My mom’s fight against cancer, with her never-give-up attitude and our family’s teamwork, really highlighted what can be accomplished with unity. For anyone whose loved one is facing a similar challenge, our story may serve as a reminder of the strength found in family support and the power of an encouraging and collective effort.”