Patti Kerr & Jesse Weinstein
The Story
Patti Kerr
Flemington, NJ
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: On March 7, 2024, my doctor told me I had Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. Beyond that, all I heard was: "Blood cancer. Extremely rare. One in a million women get it. No cure."
I went home and, still in shock, called my family and best friend, assuring them I would figure this out and to not worry. For the next few months, I tried to figure it out. It was a roller coaster of emotions. One day, I was confident; the next, utterly hopeless.
I reached out to a close friend who had a rare blood cancer,r and she told me, "You're going to get a lot of opinions and advice. Sit with each one. If you feel at peace with what they're saying, that's God's sign to move forward." The problem was I wasn't getting any advice because every doctor I met with said they didn't have any experience with Waldenstrom's and couldn't help me.
The fatigue was debilitating; my energy was non-existent. Even a short walk in my backyard left me breathless, my heart pounding out of my chest. I was living from blood transfusion to blood transfusion and started preparing myself (mentally and emotionally) to say goodbye to my sweet family.
I made an appointment with a "WM expert" here in NJ. I was hopeful, but he and the appointment left me even more hopeless. At one point, he told me, "I hope you're prepared to not be here for the holidays this year." The holidays were a short six months away. I left in tears. Definitely not the "peace" my friend told me to wait for.
Back home, I fell to my knees, sobbing, and began to pray. "Lord, I've tried. I don't know what to do or where to turn, so I'm turning this over to you."
I got up, turned on Sirius XM The Message, and "Don't Stop Praying" by Matthew West was playing: "When you've cried, and you've cried ’til your tears run dry,
The answer won't com,e and you don't know why
And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time. Don't stop praying, don't stop calling on Jesus' Name, don't stop pounding on Heaven's door, don't stop believing."
I dried my tears and kept praying and the next day, everything changed. I knew very clearly I needed to reach out to Dr. Jorge Castillo at Dana-Farber in Boston. I was told he was booked for the next six weeks, but the next day, they called back. "He's making room in his schedule for you. Get to Boston."
I got to Boston. Dr. Castillo explained that while there's no cure, WM can be managed. He put me on two pills (BTK inhibitors) every morning. I left that day feeling the peace my friend had told me about. Thanks to Dr. Castillo, my local hematologist, Dr. Megha Shah, and the grace of God, I've gotten my energy - and life - back.
March 7th is one year since my diagnosis, and believe me when I tell you I'm not just surviving...I'M THRIVING! My diagnosis was a HUGE blessing! Initially, my thoughts were, if I only had a few months left, what did I want them to look like? Who and what did I want to spend those precious last days and moments with? I began living with purpose, in the moment, and everything took on heightened meaning: time with family and friends, birds singing, butterflies flitting in my garden, going for a walk with my dogs, the sound of my grandchildren's laughter... everything was more precious. And I was immensely grateful for it all.
Along with gratitude, my faith grew astronomically. I continued praying and trusting and the blessings bestowed on me this last year are extraordinary and often defy explanation.
Christmas was especially precious. As I looked at my family talking and laughing...exchanging gifts and stories...my grandchildren running and playing... I thought back to the doctor who told me I wouldn't be here for the holidays. Yet there I was, talking and laughing with them, hugging my grandchildren, and feeling wonderful. Believe me when I tell you I take nothing for granted anymore.
I want to thank Twist Out Cancer and my artist, Jesse Weinstein, for giving me this opportunity. You have both blessed me beyond belief.
I'll keep praying and treasuring everything. Every. Little. Thing. To God be the glory!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Survivor
Twist on Cancer: On March 7, 2024, my doctor told me I had Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia. Beyond that, all I heard was: "Blood cancer. Extremely rare. One in a million women get it. No cure."
I went home and, still in shock, called my family and best friend, assuring them I would figure this out and to not worry. For the next few months, I tried to figure it out. It was a roller coaster of emotions. One day, I was confident; the next, utterly hopeless.
I reached out to a close friend who had a rare blood cancer,r and she told me, "You're going to get a lot of opinions and advice. Sit with each one. If you feel at peace with what they're saying, that's God's sign to move forward." The problem was I wasn't getting any advice because every doctor I met with said they didn't have any experience with Waldenstrom's and couldn't help me.
The fatigue was debilitating; my energy was non-existent. Even a short walk in my backyard left me breathless, my heart pounding out of my chest. I was living from blood transfusion to blood transfusion and started preparing myself (mentally and emotionally) to say goodbye to my sweet family.
I made an appointment with a "WM expert" here in NJ. I was hopeful, but he and the appointment left me even more hopeless. At one point, he told me, "I hope you're prepared to not be here for the holidays this year." The holidays were a short six months away. I left in tears. Definitely not the "peace" my friend told me to wait for.
Back home, I fell to my knees, sobbing, and began to pray. "Lord, I've tried. I don't know what to do or where to turn, so I'm turning this over to you."
I got up, turned on Sirius XM The Message, and "Don't Stop Praying" by Matthew West was playing: "When you've cried, and you've cried ’til your tears run dry,
The answer won't com,e and you don't know why
And you wonder if you can bow your head even one more time. Don't stop praying, don't stop calling on Jesus' Name, don't stop pounding on Heaven's door, don't stop believing."
I dried my tears and kept praying and the next day, everything changed. I knew very clearly I needed to reach out to Dr. Jorge Castillo at Dana-Farber in Boston. I was told he was booked for the next six weeks, but the next day, they called back. "He's making room in his schedule for you. Get to Boston."
I got to Boston. Dr. Castillo explained that while there's no cure, WM can be managed. He put me on two pills (BTK inhibitors) every morning. I left that day feeling the peace my friend had told me about. Thanks to Dr. Castillo, my local hematologist, Dr. Megha Shah, and the grace of God, I've gotten my energy - and life - back.
March 7th is one year since my diagnosis, and believe me when I tell you I'm not just surviving...I'M THRIVING! My diagnosis was a HUGE blessing! Initially, my thoughts were, if I only had a few months left, what did I want them to look like? Who and what did I want to spend those precious last days and moments with? I began living with purpose, in the moment, and everything took on heightened meaning: time with family and friends, birds singing, butterflies flitting in my garden, going for a walk with my dogs, the sound of my grandchildren's laughter... everything was more precious. And I was immensely grateful for it all.
Along with gratitude, my faith grew astronomically. I continued praying and trusting and the blessings bestowed on me this last year are extraordinary and often defy explanation.
Christmas was especially precious. As I looked at my family talking and laughing...exchanging gifts and stories...my grandchildren running and playing... I thought back to the doctor who told me I wouldn't be here for the holidays. Yet there I was, talking and laughing with them, hugging my grandchildren, and feeling wonderful. Believe me when I tell you I take nothing for granted anymore.
I want to thank Twist Out Cancer and my artist, Jesse Weinstein, for giving me this opportunity. You have both blessed me beyond belief.
I'll keep praying and treasuring everything. Every. Little. Thing. To God be the glory!
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not harm you; plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
Jesse Weinstein
Philadelphia, PA
https://www.aygzpsd.com/
@aygz.psd
“The Flame v.1”
Painting on canvas
20”x30”x1.5”
$550
Artist Statement: I utilize digital and classical painting techniques to convey the overwhelming sense of stimulation I experience daily. By translating these sensations into analog forms such as paper, wood, or canvas, I aim to prompt viewers to reflect on their existence amidst a world clamoring for attention. Blending feeling and emotion through intuitive mark-making, my art creates dynamic scenes that blur the lines between the subject and the background. Through underlying messages, I guide viewers toward introspection, often touching on political or moral themes. Whether through portraits of politicians, graffiti-inspired typography, or surreal explosions of color, my work explores the concept of interaction by combining multiple mediums to depict a sense of helpless wonder in a chaotic world.
https://www.aygzpsd.com/
@aygz.psd
“The Flame v.1”
Painting on canvas
20”x30”x1.5”
$550
Artist Statement: I utilize digital and classical painting techniques to convey the overwhelming sense of stimulation I experience daily. By translating these sensations into analog forms such as paper, wood, or canvas, I aim to prompt viewers to reflect on their existence amidst a world clamoring for attention. Blending feeling and emotion through intuitive mark-making, my art creates dynamic scenes that blur the lines between the subject and the background. Through underlying messages, I guide viewers toward introspection, often touching on political or moral themes. Whether through portraits of politicians, graffiti-inspired typography, or surreal explosions of color, my work explores the concept of interaction by combining multiple mediums to depict a sense of helpless wonder in a chaotic world.