Ronny Allan
This is the fifth part of a new series entitled: Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions – A story of greenery, sun, adventure and Irrfan
During my self imposed isolation of 14 days after developing “a new and continuous cough”, I documented almost daily during this period but only on my public Facebook page entitled “my 14 day self isolation diary” – I compiled it here – click here to read.
In the first update of this series, I explained that I kept my diary going, but again, only on my public Facebook page, so I was prompted to document these on my blog site to cater for those not on Facebook who only see what I produce in blog format. But it’s my intention to also post these on my other public Facebook sites. Because I was self isolating, Chris was also isolating under the rules and she was also feeling under the weather. During our self isolation period, the government ordered a “lock-down” (a bit like the shelter in place term used in USA) but out of self isolation, we were still allowed out for some exercise and other essential trips such as doctors appointments and shopping for essential items. See below for all 12 episodes.
A story of colour, sun, adventure and Irrfan
22nd Apr 2020.
Hi again folks. Another sunny day in southern England. Apparently tomorrow is going to be even warmer. We can’t go too far from our house but the New Forest is within half a mile and is easily reached. So we decided to mix it up today by trying out new paths without straying too far. We ventured into a wooded area circumventing some pretty large properties including one owned by a member of ageing UK ‘boy band’ Take That. At one house, Chris got speaking to a very nice lady after admiring her colourful plants (today’s lead photo).
Interestingly I had a call from my GP this afternoon who was following up on an enquiry I made about whether I was considered vulnerable list or not (this was back in the day when things weren’t quite as clear as they are now). I guess they are clearing up the backlog. It was her opinion that I should be on the list after reviewing my clinical history, so I await the letter. I’m backdating it to the very first announcement and so I’m nearly half way through the 12 week restriction period. Clearly I’ll be taking this into account going forward – I was already acting as a higher than normal risk, and have been for some weeks.
Take care all, stay safe, stay healthy as possible. Remember to get some outside time, it’s good for the mind and that is good for the body.
25/26th Apr 2020.
Chris and I are gradually getting back into the walking habit, paradoxically we seem to be doing more than we did before the lockdown! However, we’re not getting our holidays and we’re not getting our usual walks via shopping etc.
Cabin fever is the main driver although we do seem to have a lot of recorded TV and movies to watch! Video chats with friends and family are on the increase and a surprise call from Ottawa Canada last week was rather nice! Another first, we also had a family quiz over the internet, we won of course!
Today’s walk – lakes, streams, hills and milk – 4 miles and then the day after (26th) we walked it the opposite way. I’ve been studying maps lately, particularly my local 25:000 map of Ringwood, lots of planning where we can go that’s close but isolated – there’s a lot to choose from but today’s walk was partly in an area we’ve not walked for some years. We have a lot of small lakes surrounding our small town, mostly private fishing areas – we decided to go north. It’s difficult to get hills where we live but still manged to find some that increased the heart rate. I’m trying out my new smart watch ‘toy’. I suspect you’re wondering where milk comes into the story? We just picked up some on the way home from our local shop – haha gotcha. Very enjoyable walk on both days – the second day was doubled with my 2.6 miles for Neuroendocrine Cancer UK. Take care all, stay safe, stay healthy as possible. Remember to get some outside time, it’s good for the mind and that is good for the body. Pictures in a gallery below:
29th Apr 2020
Woke up to BREAKING NEWS. Well known Indian actor and Neuroendocrine Cancer patient Irrfan Khan died in hospital in Mumbai India. He was admitted the evening before after developing a “colon infection” according to this agent. RIP Irrfan. I already had a post following his journey read more here.
Other stuff
I’ve been working on reorganising some of my Facebook pages, I had 5 and now down to 3. It would have been down to 2 but Facebook isn’t playing ball so will try again later. I’d like everyone to also ‘Like’ this linked page 
Neuroendocrine Cancer
but please don’t unlike it, I’ve spent some time building that up! And if you know anyone who might benefit from that page and/or this one, be sure to suggest it.
The lockdown has given me some time to look at a new software package I had to help convert my blogsite into a website. I’ve also been working on an A to Z facility and rather than just knock up a big long table which is a pain to keep up to date, I wanted to integrate it into my website where updating is much easier as I can then link to references etc. It’s proving to be more difficult than I thought but I’ve published a prototype version which will be useable for some but it’s far from being a complete project – I need to get the A to Z button ‘widget’ sorted and I need to populate short descriptions which will take weeks. It does however link all my blog ‘tags’ to an article containing a description until I can populate them (although I have done the first few in the list as a prototype). It’s also prompted me to normalise and reduce the number of tags I use – see what I have so far clicking on A to Z – be gentle, it’s the beginning of a new project 
Private Group. There’s a constant stream of new members and discussions continue in this Facebook private group (click here to join). The group is quieter than usual but Neuroendocrine Cancer issues continue, people continue to be diagnosed and arrive in need of help – often just someone to listen. London and New York are the biggest two cities represented in the private group and I see them both in the headlines – please take care all.
Many thanks and stay safe
My 12 lockdown episodes
In the first update of this series, I explained that I kept my diary going, but again, only on my public Facebook page, so I was prompted to document these on my blog site to cater for those not on Facebook who only see what I produce in blog format. But it’s my intention to also post these on my other public Facebook sites. Because I was self-isolating, Chris was also isolating under the rules and she was also feeling under the weather. During our self-isolation period, the government ordered a “lock-down” (a bit like the shelter-in-place term used in USA) but out of self-isolation, we were still allowed out for some exercise and other essential trips such as doctors’ appointments and shopping for essential items.
The second update is a nice walk to a local beauty spot and back.
The third update is a potpourri of events including hair issues, a broken tooth and my first COVID lockdown injection covering 14/15 Apr 2020.
The fourth update is a story of bikes, ponies, wisteria and Vitamin D covering 16th – 21st Apr 2020.
The fifth update is a story of greenery, sun, adventure and Irrfan
The sixth update is a story of footpath etiquette, sheep, donkeys and dopamine covering 30th Apr – 3rd May 2020.
The seventh update is a story of swans, cycling, VE Day and my 124th monthly cancer treatment covering the period 6th – 11th May 2020.
The eighth update is a story of nurses, trees and Canada covering the period 12th – 17th May 2020.
The ninth update is a story of cream teas, peaks and blue sky covering the period 18th – 23rd May 2020.
The tenth update is a story of the Wall, Swans, Dundee and New Forest History, covering the period 26th – 29th May 2020.
The eleventh update is a story of Walking the Wall, coping strategies and the London Ga68 PET, covering the period 30th May – 5th June 2020.
The twelfth update is a story of surviving, cycling, Scottish holiday memories including the ‘Fairy Pools’, covering the period 7th – 15th June 2020.
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Thanks for sharing your beautiful scenery and updates Ronny. There’s one negative to being on the list, you cannot leave the house. Whilst I appreciate how shielding protects lives, it remains to be the hardest part of the journey. Many people who live with Cancer have experienced moments of having to stay at home but this feels very different- it can bring a real sense of isolation depending on your household setting. However, I have found ways to cope by getting involved in socially distanced doorstep exercise together with joining a community seed distribution project/sharing updates and photos on growing plants/vegetation. It helps in more ways than one 🙂
We’ve been walking more than usual too, but our surroundings are not as beautiful as yours! Even so, it feels good to get out of the house and enjoy some fresh spring air.