A person with Cancer fell into a hole and couldn’t get out……….

A person with Cancer fell into a hole and couldn’t get out. As a colleague walked by, the person called out for help, but the colleague yelled back, “Suck it up, dig deep and get on with it” then threw the person a shovel. The person accepted that advice and dug that hole deeper.

A manager went by, and the person called out for help again. The manager shouted down “Use the tools your colleague has given you”, but then threw down a bucket adding to the tools available. The person used the tools to dig the hole deeper still and filled the bucket.

A healthcare professional walked by. The person called, “Help! I can’t get out!” so the healthcare professional gave the person some drugs and said, “Take this it will relieve your issues and you will forget about the hole.” The person said “thanks” and followed this advice, but when the pills ran out the person was still in the hole.

After a while, a Counsellor passed by and heard the person’s cries for help and stopped and asked, “How did you get there? Were you born there? Did someone put you there? Tell me about yourself, it will alleviate any sense of loneliness.” So, the person talked with the Counsellor for an hour, then the Counsellor had to leave, but said there would be another session next month. The person thanked him, although the person was still in the hole and unable to get out.

Later, a fellow Cancer patient with the same cancer type, just like the person, but stable, happened to be passing by. The person in the hole cried out, “Hey, help me. I’m stuck in this hole!” but this time, something totally different happened ………..  Right away the stable patient jumped down into the hole alongside the person. The person started to panic and said, “What are you doing? Now we’re both stuck down here!” But the other patient just smiled and replied, …… “Calm down. It’s okay. I’ve been here before. I know how to get out.”

Note: This is not an attempt to criticise any person outside of “the hole” or who has helped a Cancer patient in a certain way.  But the story above does happen …. frequently.

Adapted from a story “A soldier with PTSD fell into a hole” – author unknown.  The ‘hole’ is a metaphor for many problems and the backgrounds and professions of those who passed the hole and conversed with the person are not meant to portray real-life events. I was inspired to convert this text by the sheer amount of support for others in my private Facebook group. 

About Ronny Allan

I was diagnosed with Stage IV Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2010. I know the power of peer support and the help that is available in cancer support groups.  Today I run my own support group trying to help thousands of Neuroendocrine Cancer patients throughout the world.  I frequently hear stories of hope and inspiration but sometimes some terrible diagnostic dilemmas.

You may not have the same cancer as I do but please join a cancer support group for your type, whether this is a local face to face or an online type, e.g. Facebook or other system.  There is always someone to help, even if it’s just to listen to your story.  You may wish to Like or Follow one of my public Facebook pages where I talk about how I live with Stage IV cancer and try to live the best life I can with my wife and family (you may also like my travel pictures!).  Click here to find this page.

Finally, please consider sharing this post with anyone you know, particularly if they have any type of cancer, it might help.   Some share boxes are below.  Copy or tag me in, I’ll help you share it further.  Of course, if you have the same type as I do, then feel free to join my Facebook group by clicking here.  But please also share this post with others you know with any type of cancer or are supporting anyone with cancer.

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Disclaimer

I am not a doctor or any form of medical professional, practitioner or counsellor. None of the information on my website, or linked to my website(s), or conveyed by me on any social media or presentation, should be interpreted as medical advice given or advised by me.

Neither should any post or comment made by a follower or member of my private group be assumed to be medical advice, even if that person is a healthcare professional.

Please also note that mention of a clinical service, trial/study or therapy does not constitute an endorsement of that service, trial/study or therapy by Ronny Allan, the information is provided for education and awareness purposes and/or related to Ronny Allan’s own patient experience. This element of the disclaimer includes any complementary medicine, non-prescription over the counter drugs and supplements such as vitamins and minerals.