Living with Metastatic Cancer: Finding Humanity in Oncology with Dr. Christy Gomez

In this episode of Doctors Making a Difference, GI oncologist Dr. Christy Gomez shares her journey from first-generation Cuban American roots to becoming a physician who captures the humanity of medicine through patient stories. Her book, Stopped in My Tracks, is a collection of quotes from oncology patients that remind us: medicine is not just science, it’s storytelling.

🌐 Learn more: doctorsmakingadifference.com

Timestamps
[00:00] Welcome & Introduction – Dr. Christy Gomez’s background
[02:00] Growing up in Miami with Cuban immigrant parents
[05:00] Knowing medicine was her calling from an early age
[08:00] Why she chose GI oncology and the complexity of the GI tract
[12:00] Narrative medicine: collecting patient quotes in real time
[16:00] How Stopped in My Tracks was born from exam-room conversations
[20:00] The power of silence and listening in the doctor-patient relationship
[24:00] Parenting during the pandemic: adoption and life lessons from medicine
[28:00] Teaching medical trainees to pause and connect with patients
[32:00] How to walk with patients through uncertainty and hard news
[37:00] Building trust: talking to patients “like a friend”
[40:00] Top lessons from 20 years in oncology and narrative medicine
[44:00] Final reflections: choosing medicine because you love it

Key Takeaways
Medicine is storytelling. Healing begins when doctors listen deeply.
Pause before answering. Silence can be just as powerful as treatment.
Honesty builds trust. Patients want clarity, compassion, and options.

About the Guest
Dr. Christy Gomez is a gastrointestinal medical oncologist, author, and advocate for narrative medicine. Her book, Stopped in My Tracks, shares real patient quotes that reveal the human side of cancer care.
🌐 Website: christinagomezmd.com
📖 Book: Stopped in My Tracks

About the Host
Dr. Peter Crane is a physician, educator, and storyteller spotlighting doctors making a difference—in medicine, in their communities, and in the lives they touch.