18 Jan 2025
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Ronny Allan – Every picture tells a story

Ronny Allan – Every picture tells a story

Awareness, Clinical Trials and Research, Diet and Nutrition, Humour, Inspiration, Latest ENETS Guidelines, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Newsletters, Patient Advocacy, Ronny Allan's "The Trouble with the NET Series", Spotlight on NENs - Types Series, Survivorship, The NET Effect Series, Travel with Ronny, Treatment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
I always try to use graphics for a number of pictures, I admit mainly to catch people's attention but also because sometimes a picture on its own tells a story or at least provides a great introduction to one. If the picture catches your eye, clicking on will take you to the text.  This post will auto update as new blogs are published. thanks for reading and sharing! Scroll, point, click, read, share! 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),…
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01 Aug 2024
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
Neuroendocrine Cancer: Glossary of Terms

Neuroendocrine Cancer: Glossary of Terms

Awareness, Clinical Trials and Research, Diet and Nutrition, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Patient Advocacy, Survivorship, Treatment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Welcome to my Neuroendocrine Cancer terms and definitions list providing a source of meanings for acronyms and medical terms, all sourced from top Neuroendocrine Cancer sites. How to use this list: 1. If your term begins with an A, see the list of As etc.  Ditto for B to Z.  Select your term from the list, the definition will show along with any of my blogs where that term is mentioned – this adds context. . 2. Numerical terms are also listed. Please note I’m constantly working on the repository to clean up all definitions, adding and removing links where necessary, and…
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02 Jan 2024
By Ronny Allan
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Me and the other big C December 2023

Me and the other big C December 2023

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Patient Advocacy, Survivorship, ,
When covid-19 first hit the scenes early 2020, it was a bit of a shock, a bit of a worry, but most people (including yours truly) thought it would be over in a few months.   So it was a bit of a shock when I tested positive in Dec 2023 shortly after getting back from a trip to London.  Strangely, Chris was not affected.  After I tested positive, we effectively isolated each other and took precautions.Back in 2020. we both had bad colds/flu in March 2020 but we will never find out if that was covid or not.  I wrote…
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08 Oct 2023
By Ronny Allan
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Another dartboard event, another first

Another dartboard event, another first

Patient Advocacy, Survivorship, ,
On 7th October 2023, another dartboard event, another first.  I think I've lost count of my Covid 19 and Flu vaccinations, particularly the latter which has been going on for 20+ years.  But this year was the first time I received both vaccinations at the same time. This is known in healthcare circles as 'coadministration' and is widespread practice.  Both references below (UK and US) confirm this strategy. Coadministration of Covid-19 and Flu is new on the basis that Covid-19 is relatively new.  Clearly a sign of the times but from what I've read and studied, it's safe and effective…
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03 Jan 2023
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
RonnyAllan.NET – a review of 2022

RonnyAllan.NET – a review of 2022

Awareness, Clinical Trials and Research, Diet and Nutrition, Inspiration, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Newsletters, Patient Advocacy, Survivorship, Travel with Ronny, Treatment, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Review In 2022, my pet project (my blog) hit 2 million views in early November – that was a major boost.  It takes 3-4 years to get a million hits based on current performance.  To be honest, I’m still flabbergasted by reaching one million in 2018. It just kinda happened!  I am grateful for every single view. 2022 was a challenging year, mainly because the pandemic had some latent impact on my social media activity and also in terms of growth.  2020 and 2021 were slower than normal but 2022 has seen some pickup.  Some of it is due to less writing…
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17 Jul 2022
By Ronny Allan
3 Comments
CT scan findings in the COVID era: Ground Glass Opacities (GGO)

CT scan findings in the COVID era: Ground Glass Opacities (GGO)

Patient Advocacy, ,
The COVID-19 pandemic filled our vocabularies with more medical terms than most of us would ever hear about, but some were familiar.  It soon became clear that CT scans were a useful tool to check for COVID-19.  One 2022 study showed that COVID-19 shares some features with other viral types of pneumonia, despite some differences. They commonly present as "ground glass opacities" (GGO) along with vascular thickening, air bronchogram and consolidations. Also, they differ by age, disease severity, and outcomes among COVID-19 patients.  GGOs refer to findings CT scans of COVID-19 patients that can help diagnose and monitor the infection.…
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12 Jul 2022
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
Me and the other big C – June/July 2022

Me and the other big C – June/July 2022

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship
Recently, Chris and I felt lucky not to have caught covid since the pandemic started in early 2020. That said, not that we would know in the early days before tests were available.  We both had bad colds/flu in March 2020 but we will never find out if that was covid or not.  I wrote about this experience in a diary I maintained over that period. It was therefore a bit of a shock when both of us finally tested positive in the middle of 2022, despite surviving unscathed through several waves since the pandemic began in early 2020.  To…
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21 Jun 2022
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
New PET findings after COVID-19 vaccination: Keep Calm and Carry On?

New PET findings after COVID-19 vaccination: Keep Calm and Carry On?

Patient Advocacy, , ,
After a few months of introducing C-19 vaccines, many cases of false-positive lymph nodes were reported on nuclear PET scans, some of which led to unnecessary biopsies and unnecessary worry for the patients concerned. According to Mayo Clinic, the positive nodes were on the same side as the vaccine shot in the cases where the injection site was known.  Mayo added that some cases had uptake in the deltoid muscle, which is normally where vaccine injections are given, leading to increased suspicion of false positive in cases where uptake was in both deltoid muscle and axillary lymph nodes (armpit).  At…
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17 Dec 2020
By Ronny Allan
4 Comments
The other Big C can be dangerous too

The other Big C can be dangerous too

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, ,
I managed to avoid a C-19 infection all the way through several lockdowns, and I deployed a rigorous protection regime throughout. Ditto for Chris.  I have a chest infection history, so for me, it was a no-brainer to take advantage of the vaccines on offer.July 2022 - boom!  It slipped through the net (no pun).   I have to say it was not an enjoyable experience and I would not like to repeat it.   December 2023 - boom! Back to back COVID and chest infection.read more about that episode here:Ronny Allan - I delayed this post for two main reasons, firstly...…
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17 Jul 2020
By Ronny Allan
4 Comments
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…
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13 Jul 2020
By Ronny Allan
4 Comments
Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 12) – a story of surviving, cycling, Scottish holiday memories including the ‘Fairy Pools’

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 12) – a story of surviving, cycling, Scottish holiday memories including the ‘Fairy Pools’

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer,
Episode 12 of my Living under COVID-19 series.  A story of surviving, cycling, Scottish holiday memories including the 'Fairy Pools'7th JuneNational Cancer Survivors Day was on 7th June. It's a celebration of life and if you're reading this, you're surviving. Share and let people know you're still here. Or just tell me below!I'm still here!#NationalCancerSurvivorsDayA wee story to finish off #NationalCancerSurvivorsDay22 miles of cycling today to celebrate life. A story about woods, animals, a long straight road with an interesting history and a bombing range.We had already cycled and walked parts of this route but our new e-bikes mean we can go…
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26 Jun 2020
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 11) – a story of Walking the Wall, coping strategies and the London Ga68 PET

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 11) – a story of Walking the Wall, coping strategies and the London Ga68 PET

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer,
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email Episode 11 of my Living under COVID-19 series.  A story of Walking the Wall, coping strategies and the London Ga68 PET 30th May 2020 Still recovering from the long walk .... if you missed it it's here. We have another 3 or 4 days of hot weather so it's bikes again soon. Today my Facebook memory reminded me of finishing our 84 mile walk along Hadrian's Wall on 31st May 2014. We were so happy and relieved to finish -…
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19 Jun 2020
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown (Episode 10) – A story of the Wall, Swans, Dundee and New Forest History

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown (Episode 10) – A story of the Wall, Swans, Dundee and New Forest History

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer,
Episode 10 of my Living under COVID-19 series.  A story of the 'Wall', Swans, Dundee and New Forest History26th May 20206 years ago today, Chris and I set off an a 6 day hike across the 2000 year old world heritage site of Hadrian's Wall in northern England. It was an experience we'll never forget, not just for the long 84 mile slog but the natural beauty, the interesting places we visited and the people we met. We were raising funds for the local NET guys PLANETS Charity - co-founded by my surgeon (Neil Pearce) and interventional radiologist (Brian Stedman) and brilliantly…
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18 Jun 2020
By Ronny Allan
1 Comment
My interview with ITM – I’m still here!

My interview with ITM – I’m still here!

Awareness, Clinical Trials and Research, Patient Advocacy, , , ,
Facebook X Pinterest WhatsApp Email I was delighted to be contacted by ITM AG, a Germany based pharmaceutical company specialising in targeted radionuclide technology in precision oncology (e.g. Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy - PRRT).  The company is formally known as  ITM Isotopen Technologien München. One of their pipeline developments is 177Lu-Edotreotide in patients with neuroendocrine tumors of gastroenteric or pancreatic origin (GEP-NET).  The development is via the COMPETE Phase III Clinical Trial which is being conducted worldwide in 11 countries at 33 sites and is open for recruitment.  I actually wrote about this trial after attending a workshop at the…
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09 Jun 2020
By Ronny Allan
6 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 9) – a story of cream teas, peaks and blue sky

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 9) – a story of cream teas, peaks and blue sky

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer,
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email Episode 9 of my Living under COVID-19 series.  A story of cream tea, peaks, blue sky and more peaks! 19th May 2020 Figure of eight bike ride yesterday around the outskirts of my town. 9 miles (still feeling the 23 miles from Saturday!). No photos, just a quick spin session. However, one of those Facebook memories came up from last year where we visited a nice town called Brockenhurst in the New Forest. Lovely little place smack bang in the…
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28 May 2020
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 8) – a story of nurses, trees and Canada

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 8) – a story of nurses, trees and Canada

Survivorship,
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email 12th May 2020I had minimal exposure to nurses throughout the first 55 years of my life. I did spend a night in hospital when I was 16 having been knocked unconscious in the boxing ring (….you should’ve seen the other guy). Bar the odd mandatory injection, I avoided nurses (….and boxing) for many years after that. But now ……Today is international nurses day. These guys have hit the headlines recently and many of us are dependant on them for ongoing…
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24 May 2020
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown restrictions (Episode 7) – A story of swans, cycling, VE Day and my 124th monthly cancer treatment

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown restrictions (Episode 7) – A story of swans, cycling, VE Day and my 124th monthly cancer treatment

Survivorship,
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…
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17 May 2020
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown restrictions (Episode 6) – A story of footpath etiquette, sheep, donkeys and dopamine

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown restrictions (Episode 6) – A story of footpath etiquette, sheep, donkeys and dopamine

Survivorship,
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…
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13 May 2020
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown (Episode 5) – A story of greenery, sun, adventure and Irrfan

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during lockdown (Episode 5) – A story of greenery, sun, adventure and Irrfan

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
This is the fifth part of a new series entitled:  Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions – A story of greenery, sun, adventure and Irrfan During my self imposed isolation of 14 days after developing "a new and continuous cough", I documented almost daily during this period but only on my public Facebook page entitled "my 14 day self isolation diary" - I compiled it here - click here to read. 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…
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11 May 2020
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 4) – A story of bikes, ponies, wisteria and Vitamin D 

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 4) – A story of bikes, ponies, wisteria and Vitamin D 

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email This is the fourth part of a new series entitled Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions.During my self imposed isolation of 14 days after developing "a new and continuous cough", I documented almost daily during this period but only on my public Facebook page entitled "my 14 day self isolation diary" - I compiled it here - click here to read.In the first update of this series, I explained that I kept my diary going, but again,…
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04 May 2020
By Ronny Allan
1 Comment
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 3) – An injection, hair cut and a broken tooth

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 3) – An injection, hair cut and a broken tooth

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email  This is the third part of a new series entitled Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions. During my self imposed isolation of 14 days after developing "a new and continuous cough", I documented almost daily during this period but only on my public Facebook page entitled "my 14 day self isolation diary" - I compiled it here - click here to read.In the first update of this series, I explained that I kept my diary going, but…
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25 Apr 2020
By Ronny Allan
0 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 2) – the bench walk

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 2) – the bench walk

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
Share on facebook Facebook Share on twitter Twitter Share on pinterest Pinterest Share on whatsapp WhatsApp Share on email Email This is the second part of a new series entitled Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions. During my self imposed isolation of 14 days after developing "a new and continuous cough", I documented almost daily during this period but only on my public Facebook page entitled "my 14 day self isolation diary" - I compiled it here - click here to read. In the first update of this series, I explained that I kept my diary going,…
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23 Apr 2020
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 1) – out of isolation

Ronny Allan: Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer during COVID-19 restrictions (Episode 1) – out of isolation

Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer
It's been over a week since I came out of my self imposed isolation of 14 days after developing "a new and continuous cough". Although I'm much better now, nothing has really changed in that I'm sticking to my own property pretty much all of the time. In case you missed my 14 day self isolation diary - I compiled it here - click here to read.Since coming out of isolation, we've been for a couple of government mandated walks from our house (max 1 hour) - it's fairly easy to find empty streets and lanes around here, so we're…
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01 Apr 2020
By Ronny Allan
1 Comment
We Remember – A message of hope in the time of the Coronavirus!

We Remember – A message of hope in the time of the Coronavirus!

Inspiration,
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. I really like this video because it covers the positives of the coronavirus crisis, despite the daily gloom. At the time of writing, it's clear things will get worse before they improve. However, this crisis will end sometime, hopefully soon; and we'll look back on this period with multiple…
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26 Mar 2020
By Ronny Allan
8 Comments
My Self Isolation Diary – COVID-19 2020

My Self Isolation Diary – COVID-19 2020

Inspiration, Patient Advocacy
COVID-19 reminds me of some of the issues with Neuroendocrine Cancer e.g. is this a normal day to day cold/flu/chest issue or is it COVID-19?  At least COVID-19 is the number one awareness topic in the universe, so people are very very aware.  Just as well because it has the potential to kill hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions of people.  It's only right that cancer patients take strict precautions because they should all at least be considered as an 'at risk' category, and many will be on their national 'most vulnerable' lists.So, when I started to cough and wheeze on…
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21 Mar 2020
By Ronny Allan
2 Comments
COVID-19 and Cancer Treatment and Surveillance

COVID-19 and Cancer Treatment and Surveillance

Patient Advocacy, Treatment, ,
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. NEW CONTENT added 14th June 2020.For US patients - see the recently produced NANETS guidelines which provides guidance on the following:How is treatment for patients with NET/NECs likely to change during the COVID-19 outbreak?What should providers do to prepare their clinic for patients?Should octreotide or lanreotide be delayed or…
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13 Mar 2020
By Ronny Allan
1 Comment
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…
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09 Mar 2020
By Ronny Allan
5 Comments
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…
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15 Jan 2015
By Ronny Allan
4 Comments
Well done NHS!

Well done NHS!

Treatment, , , ,
I've been reasonably lucky with my health over the years, suffering only the usual common ailments. I was slightly asthmatic as a child but this seemed to disappear when I left school going straight into military service. They say an army marches on its stomach... only partly true but the military did look after my health with regular check ups. I think the only medical emergency I had in my 29 years in that wonderful organisation was being knocked out in boxing training aged 16! When I left the military in 2001, I was fortunate to benefit from free health…
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