Mel's Story
“They found a tumour about the size of a tennis ball on my pancreas… It’s a shame that it takes a diagnosis like this to change the way people live their life.”
- Mel Taylor
Neuroendocrine cancer frequently camouflages itself.
Its vague symptoms can be misdiagnosed with conditions like IBS, Abdominal Pain, Asthma, or Menopause.
Mel Taylor, a 49-year-old artist was diagnosed with a pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor in 2017.
Mel was initially diagnosed with epilepsy, narcolepsy, menopause, IBS, GERD/GORD, and mental health issues. Her symptoms included fatigue and anxiety which remained unexplained. The discovery of a tennis ball-sized tumor on her pancreas marked a turning point, but living 600 km away from a capital city presented challenges in accessing specialized care.
“I had a doctor say to me, ‘I don’t really know what’s going on. Let’s just ‘wait and see.’ If I had done that, I may have been in a very different position than I am now.”
Her children, daughter Ellie and her son, witnessed their mother’s ordeal, with Ellie visiting her in the intensive care unit and being exposed to the reality of cancer from a young age.
Since her diagnosis Mel has found solace in art, creating a series reflecting on life with neuroendocrine cancer. Describing her journey as “the absolute worst time” but also the best, Mel acknowledges the transformative impact NETs has had on her art.
Additional solace has been found in the support offered by NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia (NECA) and its support groups. NECA has guided Mel, offering invaluable support and helped to reinforce the importance of trusting her instincts in seeking medical advice.
“NECA has made a huge difference… you can’t always just trust what medics say.”
Finally receiving a proper diagnosis has brought relief and a plan for Mel.
“Now we can get it under control.”
Neuroendocrine Cancer Symptoms
Do you, or does someone you know have these symptoms?
Flushing
The skin on your face and upper chest feels hot and changes colour
Wheezing
Asthma-like signs and symptoms, such as wheezing and shortness of breath
Palpitations
A racing heartbeat (palpitations), sometimes combined with dizziness
Diarrhoea
Your bowel motions are regularly urgent, watery, and frequent with no known cause
Fatigue
Overwhelming exhaustion that cannot be overcome with a good night's rest
Rashes
A red rash with swelling and blisters that often travels from place to place on the skin
Neuroendocrine tumours (NETs) can develop in many parts of the body. Depending on where the tumour is located will determine the symptoms a patient experiences. Not all neuroendocrine cancer patients experience symptoms prior to diagnosis and not all people experiencing the symptoms listed above will have neuroendocrine cancer. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms we strongly recommend you speak to your healthcare professional.
All charity donations to NeuroEndocrine Cancer Australia may be tax-deductible in Australia.