Living with Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN1, Wermer Syndrome): Cristian Leiva

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07/10/23

Cristian was diagnosed with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (Men1), also know as Wermer’s Syndrome, at the age of 17 (2003), after doctors found hypercalcemia. MEN1 is a rare heritable disorder that predisposes individuals to tumors in the pituitary and parathyroid glands, and pancreas.

In 2014, hypercalcemia was found again, performing a neck ultrasound that indicates a new parathyroid adenoma and a thyroid lesion, so a second parathyroidectomy was performed, extracting only the affected gland and a partial thyroidectomy.

Following with his annual controls, in May/2017, by ultrasound images a 2x2cm lesion was diagnosed in the pancreas, so a laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (Wipple surgery) was performed.

In this interview, we talk about:

- Cristian’s MEN1 journey and living with tumors in his brain, neck and pancreas
- How Cristian has developed and maintains a positive attitude despite all the adversity that’s been thrown at him
- What it was like getting life-saving surgery on his pancreas
- His life perspective on adversity, low points, resiliency, success, support and gratitude

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Cristian's Socials:
Cristian's Email: cleiva1@babson.edu
Cristian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crleiger/

Time Stamps:
0:52 Cristian’s background
2:32 Did you know what MEN1 was prior to your diagnosis at 17?
3:15 How did you find out about the MEN1 diagnosis? A physical?
4:37 How did being diagnosed with MEN1 at 17 change your life perspective?
5:55 Did you become a lot more aware of death?
7:12 How was parathyroidectomy surgery?
8:30 How can friends/family support you?
10:35 Did you have mental low points?
16:04 How much would you talk about your medical history when making new friends?
19:58 Do you get an annual checkup for your illness?
20:58 Can you talk about your second parathyroidectomy surgery in 2014?
23:26 Any advice you would give to a significant other supporting someone in this position? Especially since you are married.
24:57 What was it like getting life-saving surgery on your pancreas?
29:11 Can you talk about what was going on in 2019 with a new tumor?
31:05 How do you deal with fear?
33:28 How has the physical symptoms been?
36:00 How can friends support people having long stays in the hospital?
38:57 How did you develop a positive mindset despite all the things you’ve been through?
41:30 Was there a point where you got close to giving up?
44:11 How have you dealt with stress and anxiety in the face of death?
48:57 If you’re struggling with being positive, any strategies?
52:00 What’s your outlook on life?
55:08 Anything else you want to leave us with?
56:53 Best way to reach you?

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