The trouble with the NET is that it can spread ……. false hope
Certain popular ideas about how cancer starts and spreads - though scientifically wrong, can seem to make sense, especially when those ideas are rooted in old theories. To a certain extent, it can be the case with treatment too. But wrong ideas about cancer and how to treat it can lead to needless worry and even hinder good prevention and treatment decisions. Even food and nutritional supplements fall into this area. I see these things frequently in my own community, I don't like and I try my hardest to avoid these myths appearing in my own patient group and on…
Things not to say to someone with cancer
This topic comes up regularly on patient forums, twitter, Facebook..... in fact everywhere! Personally, I don't tend to get too excited about it, although there can be extremes. Most people (not all) are just stumped to know exactly what to say. Even as a person with cancer, I sometimes feel awkward when faced with someone I just found out has a serious illness. It's really difficult to know what to say, knowing how they might react and it's particularly difficult if you don't really know the person, for example on social media, you could be talking to someone who you have never…
Opinion: Let’s attack Cancer metaphors
Since I started blogging, I've read dozens of articles on the subject of 'cancer metaphors' and in particular their use in describing cancer experiences with the words 'fight', 'battle' and other 'military' sounding terms. The authors say that perhaps this is not the best language to use. One author used the term 'violence' to describe these type of metaphors. A ridiculous misrepresentation of the metaphor in my opinion. Let me put my cards right on the table as I would hate to twist the meaning of words or the inference of any metaphors I might use. I don't like Cancer - it attacked me, it attacked…
The Big C – a subject nobody wants to talk about
When I launched my blog with the sole aim of fundraising for a walk along Hadrian's Wall, the first couple of posts I published were all about why Chris and I were doing this 84-mile walk. After that, it suddenly got difficult. I then had a brainwave ..... let's do an A to Z and I started with a short list (some letters had shorter lists than others (Q, J, Z etc). I've been gradually recycling these early posts as a way of updating their templates plus totally changing the content of most. This one was previously the "C words". …
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…
Getting back in the saddle
a 50-mile ride - ribs feeling fine! After a month of chest infection 2023/24 The "getting back in the saddle" metaphor I thought back about a few periods since my diagnosis on 26th July 2010 about how I would 'get back in the saddle'. I suspect many cancer patients experience similar junction points in their own journeys. After I was told about my metastatic Neuroendocrine Cancer, work was my anchor, something that I felt comfortable and in control, so in effect that was my metaphoric saddle in the early days. But as my treatment came into view, particularly major surgery,…
After lockdown – the new normal is not normal
The new normal is not normal This new normal just isn't normal! I'm lucky to have beautiful forests to my east and west but to my south is probably the best beach coastline in UK. We decided to walk along a section of that award winning 7 mile bay. But we went via a shop. I had to return something purchased shortly before lockdown and like most shops which shut, this one extended the returns period due to COVID-19. The shop was a big one and easy to distance, but the preparations were very good indeed. I donned a face…
Why Coronavirus Anxiety is Hard to Control – a Neuroendocrine Cancer patient perspective
OPINION. I guess many people are feeling pretty scared right now. Add age, a chronic disease, cancer, a lung illness or any condition that has a level of immunosuppression, and it seems to become even more scarier when you read the news. I think the 'not knowing' how this crisis is going to pan out has made the situation quite surreal. We seem to have gone from a fairly routine day to day living, thinking coronavirus is something that happens in another faraway country and then BANG, it's on our doorstep. I don't know about you but I would hate…
Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19): risks for cancer patients
This post was generated at the height of the pandemic and is not medical advice, moreover, it should not be considered up to date. For the latest information for your cancer in regard COVID RISKS and VACCINES, please speak directly to your specialist doctor or follow your national health organisation’s guidance.UPDATED 22 Apr 2020 - COVID-19 and MEN patients. See article 7 below.UPDATED 5 Apr 2020 - excellent video meeting between Elyse from NET Research Foundation and Dr Mark Lewis. Dr Lewis is an Oncologist and also a NET patient so he speaks with both aspects in mind. See article…