02/28/2026
💫 Nostalgic word art circa 1997–2003 for attention.
🦓 Today, February 28, is Rare Disease Day—what better opportunity to bring up my online absence than now?
🌎 Rare diseases affect 300 million people across the globe, and I joined that club last year. Raising awareness of rare diseases is important for equity in health care; we need more access, more visibility, and more hope.
💧 I was diagnosed with a rare type of functional neuroendocrine tumour on my pancreas called an insulinoma. These tumours are composed of cells that secrete insulin, causing persistently, dangerously low blood sugar.
🌿 Insulinomas affect 1–4 in 1 million people every year. My diagnosis and treatment took over TWO years—one of the difficulties of dealing with a rare disease.
🏥 I had laparoscopic surgery on February 10th. They preserved my spleen and removed about 30% of my pancreas, along with my 15 mm pesky tumour. I am one of the lucky ones who had a successful surgery and gets a second shot at a full, healthy life.
❤️🩹 I’ll be out of the office for a total of 6 weeks, spending most of my time with Odie on the couch. Hoping to be back at it March 23!
🙏 Thank you to everyone who helped me along this long road of diagnosis, surgery, and recovery. And to those of you who are living with a disease, whether it’s rare or common—we see you, we hear you.
🦓 If you or someone you love might be dealing with an insulinoma, my DMs are always open to chat about my experience. There is help available, there is hope.
