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……….

Awareness, Patient Advocacy, Survivorship
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…
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Getting back in the saddle

Getting back in the saddle

Inspiration, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Patient Advocacy, Survivorship, Travel with Ronny
The "getting back in the saddle" metaphorI 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, clearly new thoughts about how quickly I could get 'back into the saddle' were on my mind.  In fact, one of the first questions I asked my surgeon was "how much time off do I need before I can drive and also go to work". …
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The trouble with the NET is that it can spread ……. false hope

The trouble with the NET is that it can spread ……. false hope

Patient Advocacy
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 patient group and on my public pages.  Annoyingly, some of it comes from unsuspecting patients who are simply sharing it from another place.  People need to think carefully before sharing this sort of thing.  It's…
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After lockdown – the new normal is not normal

After lockdown – the new normal is not normal

Inspiration
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 covering and upon entering, I was instructed to wash my hands with sanitiser before proceeding to the right department - they had a non-contact sanitising facility with a foot pump…
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Why Coronavirus Anxiety is Hard to Control – a Neuroendocrine Cancer patient perspective

Why Coronavirus Anxiety is Hard to Control – a Neuroendocrine Cancer patient perspective

Patient Advocacy, Survivorship
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 to have survived metastatic Cancer for the last 10 years only be taken out by a stupid tiny virus because I forgot to wash my hands. Thus why I intend…
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Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19): risks for cancer patients

Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19): risks for cancer patients

Patient Advocacy, Survivorship
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 6 below.UPDATED 28 Mar 2020 - see two links from Neuroendocrine Cancer UK (formerly NET Patient Foundation). First is a general summary of the effects of treatment in regard risk,…
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Opinion: Let’s attack Cancer metaphors

Opinion: Let’s attack Cancer metaphors

General
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email In the past 24 months, 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 my family, it attacked others I know, it has killed people I know....... it has killed…
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