Coping with lockdown

During July, I was quite active both on my website and looking after myself. It’s important in these times to keep active and not let everything get on top of you.  We all have different ways of dealing with this and I hope some of you have found solace or advice in my private group or even just reading my various blog posts or on my public Facebook sites.  I still see myself as someone at risk, but there are other risks at play here – mental health can be as important as physical health in times of stress and anxiety.  Back in March I told the story of my own symptomatic period and perhaps one day I might find out if I have antibodies when I’m tested accordingly. You can read this COVID-19 diary by clicking here.  I also continued my diary until the middle of July with 12 episodes which were very popular when published on my public Facebook page. You can read Episode 12 by clicking here and it contains links to Episodes 1 through to 11.  It might also give you some holiday or daytrip ideas if you’re planning!

And of course not forgetting my 10 year ‘cancerversary’ of my diagnosis on 26th July.  I can tell you now I had no idea I might make this date and it took me a few years before I had the confidence to think it was possible. 

Routine Living

Despite some fairly big relaxations to the UK lockdown rules, I have not changed my cautionary approach too much, still staying away from towns and shopping – although I’m gradually reintroducing to some locations where I feel safe.  However, it’s great that our family can now visit us at home providing we practice good social distancing. We’ve since had a few visits and vice versa.

We are now in serious holiday mode but local days out plus a few days here and there.  We are booked to visit Cambridgeshire and the Yorkshire in August, two separate trips. I will post some stories about these adventures as normal on my public Facebook page.

External work

• Early in the lockdown, I was interviewed over the telephone by a Pharma company after writing an article about their product currently in clinical trials. This was a surprise call but was happy to help. You can read the interview above in one of the posts released in June or just click here.
• I made some short patient videos about coping with living under COVID-19. If they get published, I’m sure you’ll get to see it.  Stay tuned.
• I took part in a podcast interview for a US based patient support site – awaiting publication. Stay tuned.
• I’ve been invited to take part in an online NET conference organised by the Middle East NET Society (MENETS). This is a virtual online event where the speakers will be well known NET Specialists and patients. I think my talk is centred around “Patient Orientation”. MENETS is in the process of validating schedules and will be ready to publish the initial agenda by the end of July 2020. In the meantime, you can save the date – click here for more details. Very grateful to my friend Mike Rosenberg for inviting me to speak and for adding my website alongside other illustrious organisations/individuals on the MENETS website.