Katie Coleman: Being young with cancer for me has meant a whole lot of clarifying, “No, I’m a patient.”

Katie Coleman, Founder of Chromophobe and Oncocytic Tumor Alliance (COA), shared on X/Twitter:

“Being young with cancer for me has meant a whole lot of clarifying, “No, I’m a patient.” I’ve clarified I’m a patient 6 times in the past 24 hours. I don’t mind it these days and am extremely grateful for where I am but early in my diagnosis, these clarifications stung. This trip may take the cake on a number of times I’ve had to clarify but I thought I’d share to help shed some light on what these interactions can look like.

Flying into the DC area:

Uber on the way to the NIH:

• Driver: Headed to the NIH, here for a conference?
• Me: For Doctor appointments, I’m a patient.
• Driver: *visibly uncomfortable* Oh, I’m sorry.
• Me: It’s okay, I’m in a good place. *gives 30 second summary of my story to clear the awkwardness*

Security:

• Guard: Visitor? Employee?
• Me: Patient

Info desk:

• Me: Any chance you have the phone number for (department)?. I only have an email.
• Receptionist: Sure, you’re an employee?
• Me: Patient

Labs:

• Worker: You sure look familiar, do you work here too?
• Me: Nope, just a patient but I‘m here semi-frequently

Uber back to hotel:

• Driver: Coming from the NIH, you here for a conference?
• Me: Nope, I’m a patient.
• Driver: Oh no, but you’re so young *realizes what they said, gets visibly uncomfortable* I’m so sorry.
• Me: Oh no, it’s okay. *gives 30 second summary of my story so they don’t feel bad*

I don’t mind these interactions these days. Most of the time, they turn into a great way to spread awareness. But when I was first diagnosed, these conversations and reactions hurt. I was still coping with my diagnosis myself, trying to comfort someone else or defuse the awkwardness about an assumption made was hard and I often choked back tears from the reminder “I’m too young for this”. Thought I’d share these conversations for a little reminder and glimpse into some of the often unseen interactions that young patients may carry with them.”

Source: Katie Coleman/Twitter