NET Cancer Day is November 10th

I was diagnosed with a Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET)/Carcinoid Cancer in June of 2012. I had never heard of this type of cancer before.

Most cancer organizations do not lend support for research or awareness of this particular cancer.  So, those 
of us who are being diagnosed are trying to raise awareness.

NOVEMBER 10th is NET Cancer Day to raise awareness of neuroendocrine cancers around the world. 

What you may not know is this:  This cancer usually goes undetected or misdiagnosed for years, because assumptions are made.  Doctors are taught that when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not Zebras.  The hoofbeats that are heard in our cases ARE zebras, not horses. In other words, we are not the obvious.

There is no cure.  Only rarely can a tumor can be cut out and all is good.  Most of us are diagnosed at the Stage IV level when it has already metastasized to our livers and other organs. In some cases, radiation and chemotherapy are not usually an option. I am grateful that this is usually a relatively slow-growing cancer.

KNOWLEDGE is power. I ask that you make it your mission to learn. Go to the NET cancer/Zebra/Carcinoid pages and learn more. Talk to others about their stories/experiences. LEARN more and more and more.

Please make the zebra ribbon as recognizable as the other ribbons. It starts with you committing to tell someone else’s story…and keep telling it.

It is so important to raise awareness with others.  And please support those you know, and show love to the people in your life…cancer or no cancer.

http://netcancerday.org

Gifts

My niece made these Zebra themed pens for me:

I have one more I'll need to add the the "collection".  I really want to learn how to make them so I can make some for our support group.  The next meeting is mid-November so I better hurry up!

I go in Monday for my post procedure follow-up appointment with my OBGYN.  I'm sure it'll be a "quickie".  All is pretty good.  I'm only dealing with hot flashes now.  I do have some mild pain/discomfort in my lower right side, where on my last scan they noted a 1.2 cm lobulated growth in the right adnexa.  I Dr. Googled the adnexa and that is simply the area where your ovaries and fallopian tubes are.  Hmmm...  It is "enhancing".  Which I believe means it is taking up the contrast material ingested/injected for the scan.  I will ask her.  I think she had said we would follow-up with an ultrasound in January when I saw her next but that was before my procedure...  Maybe she'll order an ultrasound.  I'm not sure if I want to push for one or just wait until my next scan and see what it says.  I guess I can ask her.  I'm pretty sure it is nothing to worry about.  Probably another cyst.  I did have some intense pain last Sunday while riding my horse, Abbie.  It was very sharp.  It quit after I got off.  I thought perhaps it was a cyst and had burst!  However, I am still having that same mild burning/pain feeling in that general area.  I hate sounding like a hypochondriac but cancer does that to you I guess.  You worry that those aches and pains are cancer....  I know it is probably not but I still worry.

I'm still dealing with fatigue but not the "brain fog" that I had.  I'm usually really tired in the mornings and afternoons/evening.  I try to rest when I get home from work.  

It is a dreary, rainy, cold day here today.  48 degrees!  Brrr.  I hope it warms back up as I'm not ready for winter!

Hope all is well with you and yours!