'My stomach kept ballooning - then doctors finally said I had an invisible disease'
Kerie Ivory, a 52-year-old woman from Buckinghamshire, is living with slow-growing neuroendocrine tumours that have spread but cannot be treated until they grow larger.
Kerie Ivory, a mother from Buckinghamshire, is battling an "invisible" cancer, specifically small bowel neuroendocrine tumours, which have metastasized to her lymph nodes, liver, spine, and rib. Despite the severity of her condition, doctors have informed her that treatment cannot commence until the tumours grow large enough, which is a painful and frustrating waiting game for her. The nature of neuroendocrine tumours, which are often slow-growing and challenging to identify, contributes to the difficulties in timely diagnosis and treatment for many patients.
Kerie describes the emotional toll of living with a slow-growing cancer that forces her to endure uncertainty about her health and future. She highlights the disparity in cancer treatment, noting that while some cancers receive aggressive treatments, hers is treated with a wait-and-see approach due to its growth rate. This situation has dramatically impacted her life, compelling her to give up work and live with both the physical and psychological burdens of her illness.
As she continues her journey, Kerie aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by patients with rare and less aggressive cancers, advocating for more support and understanding from the medical community and the general public. Her story sheds light on the invisible battles many individuals endure while managing a health condition that is often overlooked or misunderstood.