Cancer in KC: ‘Overcoming physical, social, economic, emotional hurdles’

Kansas Citians affected by cancer — patients, survivors, health care professionals, family members — have been sharing their stories with KCPT through the PIN (Public Insight Network). Below is one example of the many stories that have been collected. You can read all the stories here.

Robin Miller-Gioia of Kansas City, Missouri, is a survivor of Hodgkins lymphoma and now works with other cancer patients.

“(I) work in a post acute facility for both children and adults, some of whom are battling cancer. (I) volunteer for nonprofit organization fighting pediatric brain cancer.

“(Cancer) forced me to grow up. It has taken people I love. It has opened my eyes to the true depth of issues in healthcare. It has broken my heart (literally — I had a heart attack as a result of long term effects of treatment).

“Forms perspective, makes moments count. Makes you push through hell to stay afloat. For the families I work with, they have to make horrible, painful choices for their children, including when to stop fighting with meds and radiation.

“I am a post-acute speech language pathologist in pediatrics. Most of my patients with cancer have/had brain tumors. I am motivated by those kids and their families. Because sometimes, we forget how waking up in the morning is a blessing.”

Robin’s six words to describe her cancer experience are “Overcoming physical, social, economic, emotional hurdles.” Share your six words here.

Robin’s words, which were shared digitally through Tell KC, have been lightly edited for clarity.

As part of a local reporting project around the Ken Burns documentary series, Cancer: The Emperor of All Maladies, KCPT presents Cancer in KC.

We want to learn more about how cancer affects our community. How has cancer impacted your life? Share your story.