Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions 7 - A story of swans, cycling, VE Day and my 124th monthly cancer treatment - Ronny Allan

24May 2020 by Ronny Allan No Comments

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 nice walk to a local beauty spot and back.

The third update is a potpourri of events including hair issues, 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 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.

6th May 2020

Today was an hour of cycling – electric (assisted) bikes so we made short work of slight inclines 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ The disused railway line mentioned previously is always spectacular on a sunny day and animal activity continues without any care or concern about COVID-19. Check out the Queen’s swans. It must have been nice steaming along in the 50s and 60s to those views. 🚂

Chocolate treat on return, it’s an essential! 🍩

Yesterday, a magnificent flypast by a Heron, one of the biggest birds we see around here but unusual to see it around houses – I suspect it was attracted to the small pond in a neighbour’s garden. It left empty clawed though.

Click the picture to see the rest.

7th May 2020

Another amazing day of weather in UK so we took the bikes out. We can go further with these in our allotted one hour of essential exercise. I had studied the local map to discover new routes and we hardly saw a single person on the first half of the ride. My route selection was partly a reconnoitre exercise for a larger hike I’m planning (time on reconnaissance is never wasted).

We eventually came to a well known local beauty spot, people were adhering to social distancing but we were delighted to be reacquainted with some donkeys we met a few days ago. You’ll see these lovely pictures below. The buildings in the background are a private school but were once the HQ of a Royal Air Force station during WW2 (a story for another day within my planned big hike).

We then cycled down a country lane which brought back memories of our Ipsen video from early last year. If you missed it you can watch it – click here

Tomorrow is VE day and my flags are up at the front of my house. Chris is working on the bunting and the “cream tea” (pictures to follow). You’ll see two flags in the picture, one is my Corps – Royal Signals). The UK seems to be a bit reserved when it comes to flags, we seem to leave it for town halls etc. I believe we should do more flags at home.

Click here to see the rest of the pictures.

8th May 2020

Despite our troubles and current constraints, it’s still good be alive!

A day off exercise yesterday to celebrate VE Day. It’s a big deal in UK but was understandably subdued on this special 75th anniversary – although plenty events online and on TV. We showed willing with some flags, bunting and some 40s music. Hopefully there will never be another conflict like that but we paid homage to those who made the ultimate sacrifice 🙏

Apparently the weather in UK will take a temperature dive tomorrow halving today’s very nice 20 something degrees centigrade. So we set off a longish bike ride in the adjacent New Forest. I put some pictures below – worked out we don’t take as many on the bikes compared to walking! Will try harder next time. These electric assist bikes are working out just right, we can go further in a shorter time (more is less!). 🚴‍♀️🚴‍♂️ I had a wireless speaker attached to my pack and listened to Oasis most of the route. 🎼🎹🥁🎷

So many animals out today, some sheltering from the sun, some enjoying it. The New Forest is famous for its ponies but it has many types including cattle and donkeys. You’ll see a picture of a New Forest rare breed called ‘British White’ which are said to be one of Britain’s oldest breeds of cattle and are believed to have links with our ancient wild white cattle. I also added a fantastic picture of a Donkey foal which Chris took 2 days ago

We did see quite a few people today but mostly cyclists. Some walkers warned us about adders (snakes) on our route but we didn’t see them. We had to go left flanking over some quite rough terrain due to a bunch of horses and cattle blocking the path but that’s the New Forest for you.

TV day tomorrow and then injection 124 on Monday 😉😎🚑💉

Enjoying the sun and the cream tea on VE Day

Click here to see the rest of the pictures.

11th May 2020

perfect for a bit of post injection pain

124th lanreotide injection complete at home. All social distancing observed except for the actual ‘stab’ where it becomes difficult. Dull pain this time (unusual) but nothing a cup of tea won’t sort!

Check out all my somatostatin analogue posts here:

Lanreotide – it’s calling the shots

At Home with Lanreotide (and Octreotide)

Lanreotide and Octreotide

An Ode to Lanreotide

Somatostatin Analogues Delivery Methods in the Pipeline

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.