Finding comfort during cancer treatment: Linda's story

Linda Doerr has spent more than 30 years building her career in the medical supply industry. As a channel sales manager for the Medical Surgical (MedSurg) business in Canada at Solventum, she knows the intricate details of healthcare products. She understands how they move from manufacturing lines to hospital supply rooms to the point of patient care.

But in the spring of 2020, her perspective shifted from the business of healthcare to the deeply personal reality of being a patient.

"We went out for supper as a family and I could hardly make it home," Linda recalls. "I was pretty confident we ate something bad."

When her symptoms persisted for many weeks, she sought medical advice, which soon turned into a life-altering journey that tested her resilience and gave her a profound new understanding of the work she does every day.

A diagnosis that changed everything

Because of pandemic restrictions, Linda faced her medical appointments alone. Her husband dropped her off at the hospital doors, expecting routine answers.

"I went for a colonoscopy," she says. "I remember hearing the doctor in the back of my mind say, ‘Oh no.’"

The doctor discovered a concerning mass. Though the initial biopsy results were clear, her care team recommended an operation. Relief was short-lived. "A few weeks later, pathology came back and it was stage two cancer," Linda says.

The news sent shockwaves through her family. Her medical team moved quickly to create a treatment plan. "The following week, I was scheduled for lower anterior resection surgery," Linda explains.

Following the major surgery, her situation escalated further. Her care team discovered the cancer had spread beyond the initial site.

"It was at that time I learned I had stage three cancer," she says. "The cancer had progressed into my lymph nodes." ;

Facing eight cycles of chemotherapy and the weight of an uncertain future, Linda grappled with difficult questions about her life and her family.

"Am I going to see my children get married?" she wondered. "Am I going to be able to travel with my husband like we planned to do in retirement?"

Finding comfort in a purple gown

The pandemic meant Linda had to navigate her hospital stays and treatments without her support system by her side. Walking into the pre-operative area for her major surgery and later entering the chemotherapy clinic, the isolation felt incredibly heavy. But then she noticed something familiar waiting for her.

"I saw right away the purple gown sitting on my bed," she recalls. "And it made me smile inside because I knew right away Solventum was there for me. It was the warmth and the hug I needed."

The 3M™ Bair Hugger™ Warming Gown provided more than just clinical temperature management. During chemotherapy, Linda received a drug that made her extremely sensitive to cold. The warming gown surrounded her with gentle, consistent warmth, giving her comfort and more ease through her infusions.

Experiencing the impact of everyday work

Linda's deep knowledge of medical supplies changed the way she experienced her care. She recognized the products her team works so hard to deliver across Canada. She watched nurses secure her continuous IVs using 3M™ Tegaderm™ IV Advanced Securement Dressings. When she went home with an ostomy following her surgery, she relied on 3M™ Cavilon™ No Sting Barrier Film to protect her skin from damage.

These moments forged a powerful connection between her personal health crisis and her professional life. She thought about the entire team behind these products. The people sourcing raw materials, the manufacturing teams, the marketing staff and the sales representatives all played a role in getting that purple gown onto her hospital bed.

At home, her family provided a vital safety net. Her daughter worked remotely during the pandemic and became her daytime caregiver, gently insisting that Linda eat even when she had no appetite. Her husband and son took over the evening routines to ensure she could rest.

Meanwhile, her colleagues stepped up to support her personally. They encouraged her to focus entirely on her health and assured her that work could wait. This compassionate culture gave her the peace of mind she needed to heal.