Stomach cramp - Ronny Allan - Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer

08Aug 2016 by Ronny Allan 3 Comments

Not every illness is visible

Awareness, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship

I personally don't see myself as 'disabled' but I do have an invisible illness. I'm fit, can walk for miles, I even look quite healthy. However, I live with the consequences of Neuroendocrine Cancer. These consequences differ from person to person but I know that some people with this disease have even met the criteria to be officially classed as 'disabled' through government schemes. Judging by what I read, I have less debilitating issues than others, so I feel quite fortunate. That's not to say I don't have any issues at all - because I do! [caption id="attachment_13469" align="aligncenter" width="720"] Situation normal, right?[/caption] I was therefore delighted to see news of an initiative supporting invisible illnesses by Asda (for those outside UK, Asda is a major UK wide supermarket chain). Asda have now recognised that many conditions can be classed as ‘invisible disabilities’ and…

19May 2015 by Ronny Allan 5 Comments

Please flush after use!

Awareness, Diet and Nutrition, Humour, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Patient Advocacy, Survivorship

In the past couple of years, I've read so many stories about the quite natural act of using a toilet (.....some more repeatable than others). I think if there was a 'Bachelor of Science degree in Toiletry', I might pass with First Class Honours. I jest clearly but it's strange that such a routine activity for most can actually become quite scientific in the world of Neuroendocrine Cancer and other ailments which might be described in some scenarios as invisible illnesses. I also found myself smiling at the fact that flushing is connected with the toilet and a type of red warm feeling in the upper torso - the two main symptoms of the Carcinoid Syndrome associated with the most common type of Neuroendocrine Cancer. "Please flush after use" - erm...yes sure but actually -…

06Mar 2015 by Ronny Allan 10 Comments

Things are not always how they seem

Awareness, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship

Graphic courtesy of SoBadAss.me (Sam Cleasby) In 2014, Chris and I walked 84 miles along Hadrian's Wall on the English/Scottish border. It was a fantastic experience, and we met some really interesting people on our 6-day journey. On the 4th night, I encountered a lady who was pretty rude. I wanted to say something, but I was with Chris and other people were also present, so I kept quiet. I later discovered this lady was autistic and I was, therefore, relieved I hadn't responded to her initial rudeness. However, it got me thinking about the number of times I had perhaps been too hasty to judge people in the past without thinking about what was going on inside their heads and bodies.Visible Illness can have awareness benefitsConversely in 2018, I was…

12Jun 2014 by Ronny Allan No Comments

My stomach sometimes cramps my style

Awareness, Diet and Nutrition, Living with Neuroendocrine Cancer, Survivorship

When planning to walk Hadrian's Wall in the north of England in 2014, I carried out a number of risk assessments (as all good Project Managers do!). In true 'Donald Rumsfeld style', I considered all the 'known unknowns' and the 'unknown unknowns'. Anybody who doesn't is either reckless or supremely confident (the latter can sometimes be the same as the former......).As a Cancer patient, there were some issues I had to consider which might not have made the list for most walkers covering this sort of distance and this type of terrain. One of the issues I occasionally experience is stomach cramps, not that frequent but problematic and quite painful when they occur. If you've had abdominal surgery, you might be having to deal with issue. Many Neuroendocrine Tumour (NET)…