Patient Stories – Catherine
Catherine’s Story
Former New Seeker singer Catherine Logan traveled the world during her celebrity singing career. Now, after being diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours, she says enjoying the simple things in life can provide the greatest pleasure.
Two years ago at 46 I was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumours of the pancreas with secondary spread to the liver.
I had been feeling ‘off’ for almost a year previous to diagnosis and remember having blood tests done at my doctors’ that showed irregular liver readings.
I was told they were ‘nothing to worry about’ and they were blamed on ‘the change’ and possible anaemia. I started getting severe symptoms approximately three months before being referred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for ultrasound and CT scans where my diagnosis was confirmed.
Although I had dealt indirectly with cancer through my mother and late husband I was as stunned as anyone when given the news by the consultant. The words ‘We cannot operate’ seemed to rattle me the most and, according to my partner, I indignantly replied ‘What do you mean you wont operate?!’ at which point the consultant looked a mere shadow of his former self!!
Anyway, in short, my symptoms which had bought me to the CT stage (weight loss, severe flushing & loss of bowel control) were immediately treated with Octreotide shots (self administered) and later the longer acting Sandostatin Lanreotide Autogel (monthly jabs) which I am currently still receiving. They gave me relief from my debilitating symptoms and allowed me to return to a near normal life though nothing would ever really be as it was.
I don’t want to dwell on the negatives of illness as we all know them only too well and cancer is certainly NOT the best thing to ever happen to me (as many people will have you believe!). There is no choice but to get on with it as best you can which means in whatever way you can. There is no wrong or right way contrary to belief.
My only sage bit of advice would be not to be convinced by others around you that you are some sort of superhuman who has been given endless supplies of courage, determination and bravery somehow lacking in other mere mortals! You’ll be sadly disappointed.
Don’t feel you have to spend your precious time performing feats of daring-do either ( ie: climbing Kilimanjaro, white water rafting, endless sponsored forms of torture (well, not unless you actually enjoy them?!) I find that the simplest things bring me the greatest pleasure nowadays, just seeing the natural world and those closest to me in a new light that I never gave my time to before.
However you choose to deal with your illness must be the right way for you so don’t be undermined by other people’s unrealistic expectations.
I have had a reasonably interesting career in the past as a singer with The New Seekers which my friend (Cathy Kalamis, also a NETs patient whose story appears on this site) advises me may be of interest to some of you, so feel free to look at my web site (www.cathy-logan.co.uk) and have a laugh at the ‘big hairstyles!
Remember GET GRUMPY sometimes?! Don’t always be there for everyone else, enjoy laughing when you can and be kind. These things cost nothing and are painless. What more could you want?
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