My Doctor, One of my biggest cheerleaders

In 2018 I was on the operating room table to have a Gastric Sleeve. Imagine my surprise to wake up to be told they couldn't do my surgery. They had seen a shadow on my liver so they aborted the planned surgery and did a biopsy instead. My Mom had died from Cholangiocarcinoma (ko-lan-g-o-car-sin-o-ma) aka bile duct cancer in 2011 and even thou I had been told it was not genetic, I too, was now being diagnosed with this rare, lethal cancer. My first call was to my MDVIP Dr., Dr. David Maleh. He immediately started to investigate where the best Dr's were for this rare cancer to give me the best chance at doing well. I ended up at MSKCC in NYC and had 5" x 7" of my liver removed and then 6 months of chemotherapy. Dr Maleh was very engaged in my care from the beginning and one of my biggest cheerleaders along my cancer journey. He helped me both mentally and physically. Knowing I could reach out at any time for support if I needed it. I am here today in large part to his incredible support and guidance during this challenging time. Dr. Maleh's team is also incredibly supportive. I am now 6 years post diagnosis and he is the first person I text when I leave my oncology appointment to share the continued good news that I remain NED (no evidence of disease). I am so thankful to Dr Maleh and his amazing team. He helped save my life so I am making it count. I organize a 5k to help raise money for cholangiocarcinoma research and recently was appointed to the newly formed Rare Disease Advisory Council here in DE by Governor Carney.