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

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 __ Cristian's Socials: Cristian's Email: [email protected] Cristian's Instagram:   / 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? Grateful Living Info: YouTube:    / @gratefulliving3439   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Hn4ttt... Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aroy81547/?... Patreon:   / gratefulliving4   Medium:   / gratefulliving4