Neuroendocrine cancer frequently camouflages itself.

Jamie and Steve Kernaghan met in Los Angeles when they were both in the travel industry and fell in love. They relocated back to Adelaide, Australia to start their life together and soon after had two children together.

In 2010 when Jamie was only 32 years old, with a 6-month-old baby at home and the world at her feet, she was diagnosed with a mid-gut neuroendocrine tumour (NET).

Initially, Jamie’s symptoms included diarrhoea and fatigue and were attributed to other causes like irritable bowel syndrome and pregnancy. After on-going symptoms however, it was the persistence of Jamie’s GP that led to tests and ultimately a correct diagnosis – neuroendocrine cancer.

Jamie was booked in for a routine colonoscopy, expecting to learn more about the cause of her irritable bowel syndrome and instead woke up to hear the words, “I’m sorry, it’s cancer.” This devastating news came as a complete shock to Jamie and Steve.

With a young family at home, and only 20 days after the cancer diagnosis Jamie underwent surgery to remove 30 centimeters of her bowel, as well as part of her liver. The procedure aimed to reduce the burden of the tumour on her body and give her the best chance at stability.

“When this diagnosis happened, it hit us like a ton of bricks…with two young kids you want to be there for them when they grow up, when they get married and graduate…”

For over a decade, Jamie has enjoyed a relatively normal life, free from any major symptoms caused by neuroendocrine cancer. However, more recently their sense of normalcy was shattered when Jamie woke up with a severely sore arm, signalling a progression of the disease and a reminder that her battle is not over.

“I honestly had ten years of really not thinking too much about it, not having to change the way I was living. It’s only been in the last 12 months that we’ve had some changes.”

Throughout their journey, the Kernaghan’s have found solace in the support of Neuroendocrine Cancer Australia (NECA). Our community has provided understanding and comfort, both for Jamie as a patient and Steve as a caregiver. The shared experiences within NECA formed deep connections and fostered a sense of belonging.

“To have a group like NECA it was great for Jamie as a patient, but also for me as a carer… You can instantly form a bond off of that shared experience.”

Jamie and Steve’s journey is a testament to resilience, the importance of symptom awareness, and the power of community in navigating the challenges of neuroendocrine cancer. Their story inspires others to find strength in the face of adversity and cherish life’s precious moments.

“You realise what a luxury it is to sweat over completely meaningless things in your life. All that changes when you get something like this and it clarifies what’s really important. Make the most of the time that you have – you get more out of every day if you live life that way.”