Meet the Family

Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) is a hereditary disease and the offspring of an individual with FAP will have a 50/50 chance of inheriting the disease themselves. My family, like many others, has had its fair share of members with FAP. The only members I have personally known are my mother and my grandfather but I my great grandmother and great aunts and uncles were also affected. I’m proud to say that to my knowledge, FAP will be ending with me in my family line as I will not be having any children.

My Parents and I

It was hard growing up not knowing anyone outside of my family with FAP but my family is very close knit and I am forever grateful for the love and support I have received from my family.

My grandpa and I were extremely close. He was a formidable Army Veteran of WWII. He was a strong man who never let his FAP or ileostomy stop him from what he wanted to do. I greatly admired him but I didn't understand his strength in relation to FAP until toward the end of his life and afterward. He survived colon cancer but we unfortunately lost him to stomach cancer that spread to his esophagus. His death was a great loss to us.

Read more about his story: Touch of Cancer





My mother and I have a special relationship as we have the same rare diseases of FAP and Short Bowel Syndrome. Although I do not wish illness upon her, I am grateful that if we were both to be ill that we have each other to walk this road of rare disease and chronic illness together. My mother was diagnosed with colorectal cancer shortly after I was born and we nearly lost her to it. My mother was an incredible fighter and she survived many health complications including the Whipple procedure. Unfortunately though, we unexpectedly lost her in June 2024. 

Learn more about her story: 

• Touch of Cancer  
• The Whipple Procedure
• Mama's Story
  

My dad is the glue that holds us together as a family unit. He provides all the necessary care and support that my mother and I need with our rare diseases and chronic illness. He is always willing to do whatever is required and is a steadfast support for us. We are beyond blessed to have him in our corner.

Read more about his story:

• A Caregiving Father 
• A Look at Caregiving

Mike is my life partner and is extremely supportive not only in caring for me with my chronic illness but also with Life’s a Polyp. As a graphic designer, he has been instrumental in creating 

several designs for Life's a Polyp Shop. 

His son even inspired two characters for the basis of my children's book about FAP: 

 Life’s a Polyp with Zeke and Katie

Life’s a Polyp is truly a family affair. 

Learn more about our family and our adventures: 

• We Answer Your Questions
  
• Vacationing Amidst a Global Pandemic with Chronic Illness
• Sensory Deprivation Tanks
• Cruising to Hawaii and Beyond 
• FAP and Lynch Conference 
• Against the Odds

Be sure to subscribe to the mailing list to receive updates on all that we do and new designs for Life's a Polyp Shop!

All profits of Life's a Polyp Shop and a portion of profits of the children's book are donated to the National Organization for Rare Disorders Familial Adenomatous Polyposis Research Fund.