Tag: net cancer day

Spending Net Cancer Day in Church

by Lizbeth, posted in cancer, Emotions, health, Nets/carcinoid Syndrome

It’s the 10th of November, and for us Zebras, it marks the annual Net Cancer Day, which is celebrated worldwide. This Sunday is important for people. Remembrance Sunday gives time to reflect on many ways to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts. This zebra had a lovely Sunday, spending Net Cancer Day in Church.

I had the privilege of attending the service at Pencaitland Church, where the service began with a 2-minute silence. We heard a tribute to those who served by not one but two ministers, Rev Andrew Dick and Rev John Hunter helped all commemorate respectfully. The busy church was decorated with vases of bright red poppies. The community choir sang two beautiful songs. It was so lovely to see youngsters in the church, filling the rows were brownies, guides and cubs.

The church was a warm, inviting place, with big singing voices. I was heartened to see the interaction between the minister and the children during the service. He chatted about the significance of the poppy and the colour, walked over to where the children were sitting and asked a couple of questions, they keenly put their arms in the air and answered.

As the service came to a close we were invited for a cuppa, for those who were able we walked to the memorial. The youth groups proudly carried their flags, walked to the memorial and waited their turn to lay their wreath.

It was such a lovely day. Pencaitland did themselves proud.

As I sang in the church, I needed no reminding of how lucky I was to be there. The journey of carcinoid syndrome is far from easy. When I was first told, “It’s incurable” – I felt like I had hit a wall. However, once realisation kicked in, I have come to understand what is important to me. I’m the lucky one and have learned to take every day as it comes, life is for living.

Life isn’t easy, and I don’t always feel on top of the world. Stomas, peg feeding, and fortnightly treatment are all a way of life. And my goodness, please don’t mention the hypos, my ever-intrusive Abbot App keeps me on the right track. Whilst I have a different journey from what I planned, I see it as a turn in the road I now need to take and be grateful for all the help on the way, including the relaxation provided spending net cancer day in church.

Beehive Toys

If you want to look at or buy prints, country clothes, gifts, wellies, our lovable Elf on the Shelf, or some quality Christmas perfume for a loved one, or grab yourself a bargain at the clearance warehouse, Click on any of the images, and they will take you directly to the safe sites.

ABC Prints The Green Welly Stop ABC Prints

Clearance XL The Elf On The Shelf Clearance XL

Perfume UK

The House Nameplate Company

Xander Kostroma

Today is NET Cancer Day

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

Today is Net Cancer Day. November 10th is the annual awareness day for Net Cancer. So many people wait for a long time for a diagnosis. Go back and forth to their doctors with symptoms and get told it is irritable bowel or something else other than the actual cancer. When Doctors are taught ‘when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras,’ meaning a doctor should first think about what is a more common—and potentially more likely—diagnosis. Net Cancer and Carcinoid Syndrome is rare hence not the first thing the doctor looks for. Awareness needs to be raised for this cancer. Today is NET Cancer Day and the hope that the message gets around the world – raising awareness of this cancer.

Think zebra not horse

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

Most people in life know someone with cancer. Or are knowledgable about signs or symptoms of some kind of cancer. However the rarer less known conditions need the help of Doctors, writers, patients, etc to promote awareness to get their name out there and help others know what to look for. “Doctors are taught ‘when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras,’ meaning a doctor should first think about what is a more common and potentially more likely—diagnosis. In oncology zebras have to be thought about. If a clinician isn’t as familiar with rare conditions, they may spend too much time looking for the proverbial horses. One such rare disease is Neuroendocrine Cancer and carcinoid syndrome. November 10th is Net Cancer Day. For the patient and the diagnosis it is all so important for the doctor in the big important Think zebra not horse.

Getting a diagnosis of Net Cancer can be difficult. It often goes misdiagnosed and the diagnosis is delayed and very often a person is told they have the cancer once it has spread to other organs and is incurable.

Living with Nets and carcinoid syndrome isn’t always easy. There are days it can really take over your life and just getting out of bed is a real struggle. However, there are great treatments and support networks out there to help you on your way. Looking after your body, eating the right things, meeting up with people and talking can all help in your cancer journey. I certainly know meeting up with likeminded people from The Ann Edgar Charitable Trust and sharing experiences has been a lifesaver. Making super friends along the way, the only down side is losing some dear ones to this damn condition.

On this eve of Net Cancer Day I think of the amazing buddies I have made since the day I was told I had carcinoid syndrome. I keep up with and chat to friends we share what’s going on in our medical life. I have lost and miss some lovely zebra, including Ann, Didi, Pam, Janny, Margaret, Becky, Norman, Linda. Celebrity zebra have included Audrey Hepburn, Steve Jobs, Aretha Franklin.

Audrey Hepburn’s son did a newspaper interview – you can view it HERE

Common symptoms of NETs include:

  • Flushing (redness, warmth) in the face or neck without sweating.
  • Diarrhea, including at nighttime.
  • Shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat/palpitations.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Fatigue, weakness.
  • Abdominal pain, cramping, feeling of fullness.
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss.
  • Wheezing, coughing

The symptoms of a neuroendocrine tumour depend on where in the body it is and what hormones it produces.

Diagnosing neuroendocrine tumours

Many tests can be used to diagnose neuroendocrine tumours, including blood tests, urine tests, scans and a biopsy  (where a small tissue sample is taken for closer examination).

Types of scans used include:

Treating Net Cancer and Carcinoid Syndrome

Every patient has their treatment plan tailor-made for them. No one person is exactly the same. They may have the same germ cell. Could have been diagnosed with almost literally the same diagnosis – it does not mean the treatment will be the same. All our bodies react differently, we give off different hormones, etc. And to be honest we may not have the same attitude to the consultants conversation in the room.

Treatments Include:

For some people surgery is an option.

Somatostatin Analogues – may be used to help control the secretion of hormones if abnormal levels are being produced

Embolisation – Treatment that blocks the blood supply using chemotherapy, radiotherapy or radiofrequency ablation

Treatments used for some Inoperable and metastatic cancer:

Everolimus is taken as a tablet, sunitinib is taken as a capsule and lutetium is given into a vein.

Let’s Talk About Nets

Net Cancer Day

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

Yesterday was November 10th. On the Cancer Calendar this is World Net Cancer Day. In Edinburgh the Scottish Charity, The Ann Edgar Charitable Trust hosted a forum at The Novahotel. And what a great informative event it was.

After being offered a beautiful buffet lunch, chance to meet other patients and folk interested in nets David Drummond, chairman and partner of the late Ann Edgar opened the show with a warm welcome. We were then given presentations from great speakers:

NET specialists from throughout the UK gave up their Sunday to give presentations. Offered their expertise and answered questions to patients, families, friends and people generally interested in NETS.

 

 

 

Margaret Boe – The Ann Edgar Charitable Trust (TAECT) . Trustee and wife of Net Cancer Patient, Norman Boe. Margaret is retiring and handing over the baton to Priscilla Fernandez.

 

Margaret Boe

Katie Gibson – NET CNS at Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Talking about patient and carer support in Scotland

Lucy Dornan – NET CNS at Beatson Oncology, Glasgow. Talking about PRRT programme in Scotland.

Lucy Dornan from Beatson talks PRRT

 

Nikki Jervis – NET Patient Foundation. Talking about patient wellbeing.

 

Nikki Jervis

 

Professor Mark Strachan – Endocrinologist, Net Specialist, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. Talking about whats new in NETs.

 

Professor Mark Strachan

Dr Lucy Wall – Clinical Oncologist, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh. Vitamin Research Project. Results to be presented in UKINETs.

Mark Strachan and Lucy Wall set up the first NET clinic in Edinburgh 14 years ago. Fourteen years since the first Net patient walked through the doors, with a great deal of progression since then. All for the good of course.

On the way to the event I had a sneaky look at my smart phone. An Apple I Phone – I have stayed loyal to Apple, the great Steve Jobs lost his battle with NET Cancer in October 2011. As I looked at my twitter feed I saw my friend Kath had promoted awareness of the disease in her local paper. Well done girl. I can relate to the piece so well, as I am sure many people with a NET diagnosis can . If you would like to read Kath’s feature please click on the link

https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/news/stoke-on-trent-news/i-feel-like-im-sitting-3517787?fbclid=IwAR2HyssDuZs9hekMPjfDhlcWDtzBIlf5KBA9TSTgdt3IfXXD40-RunU9K3Q

 

On entering the hotel I turned my phone off, no interruptions. However, at the coffee break I turned on my phone. A couple of messages. From each of my sons. Both checking up on their old folks and letting us know they are doing ok. One of the texts came with a photo of Granddaughter, Alexandra – she found her Daddy’s scalextric at our house and was loving playing with it. Knowing our boys were thinking of us warmed my heart.

 

Our Alexandra finds Daddy’s Scalextric

 

As we were packing up to leave we got in the car and I turned my phone back on. Stuart and Alexandra called to say Alexandra was going back home and we would see here Thursday. Her Wee voice echoed in our car can you hear me Granny? When I let know I could she blethered away. She said I helped my Daddy put your lights up – they are very bright. Then she said I love you Granny and I love you papa see you after nursery xxxx

 

10th November Approaching……

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome, Uncategorized

For Me November has always been a fairly memorable month. I have a brother with a birthday at the beginning of the month and a sister with a birthday at the end of the month. The last day of the November we celebrate the Patron of our country – St Andrews Day. Guy Fawkes night; 5th November is a special night on our calendar – Steve and I got engaged in 1984, what a wonderful night that was. Fireworks at my parents and then a trip to Edinburgh with Steve and some university friends.

All of these dates are still in the diary, special to me, with some others added. And now there is one anniversary date that is noted worldwide. The date is November 10th every year. Its NET Cancer Day. Aiming at promoting awareness. Folks all over the world raise awareness in different ways.

Me personally, I have organised, with the help of friends, a tea party and a music night. Both events were on the weekend of the NET Cancer Day and raised money for The Ann Edgar Charitable Trust. Three years ago I did some something myself, just simply smiled every day for 21 days and asked folks to donate something, even if it was a penny. My consultant, Prof Mark Strachan, the fantastic late Linda Story and myself did a radio interview, fairly lengthy – raising awareness two years ago. Many people have coffee days – lets talk about nets.

This year, 2019 – November 2019 is a Sunday and I’m looking forward to going to The NET Forum organised by The Ann Edgar Charitable Trust in Edinburgh. There will be talks on offer from Net Specialists; Consultant, oncologist, Net Nurse. Charity Trustees. Information will include PRRT Information, Patient and Carer Support, whats New in Nets?, Relaxation.

Forums allow others to get together, whether its other patients, their family or friends, health professionals and people generally interested in finding out about NET Cancer. You get a chance to ask questions about symptoms, treatments, etc, and meet other people with the same rare condition. Its absolutely wonderful that health professionals are willing to give up their Sunday to share this time with us folks that want to go to the forum. Its great to see passion in the doctors and nurses outside the hospital. It makes me very proud and confident in our NHS.

For anyone thats interested in finding out more about The Ann Edgar Trust. You can look them up, at http://www.taect.scot They really are a good support network, our monthly net natter meet ups, chat on facebook. And at times we get together and do something together outwith the meeting. It really does help turn that frown upside down.

Tea Party For Net Cancer Day

by Lizbeth, posted in Nets/carcinoid Syndrome

On November 10th 2015 I missed an excellent information day at The Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh.  It was hosted by a small charity, many people will never have heard of – the Ann Edgar Charitable Trust.  This event was for Net Cancer Day.  The reason I wasn’t there; I was in hospital with sepsis.  My mobile phone let out a familiar tone.  I looked down at the screen, the notification said “a big cheer for Elizabeth……” this gave me the boost I needed and echoed what I already knew – that my chums from the support group were all there for me.  It was then I decided by hook or by crook next net cancer day I would be doing something very different.  Eight weeks in hospital, a few months of getting my life back on track.  And then plans began……

The Ann Edgar support meetings offer what I  would say is a pretty special service.  I’ve made new friends and genuinely feel a real benefit.  The charity has not only made me feel welcome but gives time and support to my husband Steve too.  The knock on effect reaches not only partners, but also children, parents, siblings, friends and work colleagues.  My sons, sister and friend have all been in contact with TAECT at some point.  The idea that anyone affected by nets can get support or information on a local level is wonderful.  For me it’s time to put something back in to say thank you.  I would like to raise awareness of TAECT and net cancer too.  What better time than net cancer day.  So one year on and a tea party in Pencaitland is organised to raise some awareness and funds.

Whilst my main aim was to do the majority of the organising, I wanted to involve others.  I enjoyed getting the help; it was great how it all came together.  Helping hands can in all sorts of ways and was much appreciated.

It was a lovely event to organise, folks came from near and far to taste the lovely home baking I have been tweeting about.  It gave me a warm feeling to see so many people walk through the doors.  The room was full of laughter and chatter with many smiling faces.  In the two hours we raised a fantastic £1289

Looking forward to the next fundraiser to get my teeth into.