GREATER SPRINGFIELD – Each November marks the observation of national Pancreatic Cancer Awareness month. In addition, Nov. 10 marked World Neuroendocrine Tumor (NET) Awareness Day. One local woman who was diagnosed with pancreatic neuroendocrine cancer with carcinoid syndrome and tumors is determined to spread awareness of the rare diseases.

According to the American Cancer Society, in 2019 alone, approximately 1,762,450 new cancer cases will be diagnosed in the United States. Bearing that figure in mind, it’s estimated that roughly 12,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with NET each year, according to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The number of people diagnosed with this type of tumor is increasing by more than five percent each year; with the increase being due in part of improvements in the way NETs are diagnosed, the ASCO reports.

Monson resident Robin Allen is a 57-year-old wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend. However to many of her loved ones, she’s a symbol of survival and a source of inspiration.

On May 8, 2014 Allen had a routine colonoscopy scheduled. She was 52 years old at the time, and noted that both she and her husband were scheduled for their colonoscopies three weeks apart. The couple thought that they would go into their appointments, get the procedures done, and be “good to go.”

“The doctor comes out and says, ‘we found a tumor,’” Allen shared with Reminder Publishing of the moment she found out she had NET cancer. “It didn’t click with me at first…I think I just tuned it out or something.”

Allen’s doctor showed her imaging of the tumor, explained where it was located and how when he completed her colonoscopy, he was able to go further. The tumor turned out to be a carcinoid tumor, which required surgery to remove it. What followed the surgery was a 12-week bed-ridden recovery.

Once the NET/carcinoid tumor was removed, Allen became a regular the hospital, completing tests that were searching for more tumors. As she returned to the hospital for multiple appointments including an MRI, a CT scan, an octreotide scan, blood work, urine tests and more, her doctors found a tumor in her pancreas.

Allen’s doctor preformed a surgery called “the whipple,” removing 60 percent of her pancreas, the duodenum, a portion of the common bile duct, gallbladder and part of her stomach in an effort to remove the tumor. After a grueling 16 hours, Allen’s second surgery was complete.

“When I was diagnosed on May 8th…you start all over again. It was a life-changing thing. May 8th changed my life forever,” Allen said.

Not only has having cancer given Allen a new-found appreciation for the little things in life, despite what one might think, it has made her emotionally stronger. Over her first few years of being diagnosed, she found ways to cope with the stress of her cancer, including pottery, which she does at Potterville in West Springfield, and gardening at her home.

“My pottery is a good outlet for me. I find it very meditating. It just takes me away,” she explained. “A group of us do it, but when I’m doing the wheel especially, it’s like there’s nobody around me because I’m just so focused. And it does take my mind off a lot of what’s going on and you know, my health.”

While Allen notes she enjoys her down time and forgetting about her health for a while, she also takes plenty of time to research and study PNETS, Neuroendocrine tumors and carcinoid syndrome. She explained that being educated could only help her future.

“A lot of people when they come down with something, you want to know everything you can find about it – everything. With neuroendocrine, there’s not a lot out there, and there’s only a select – maybe 25 doctors in the world that actually specialize in the neuroendocrine type of cancers,” she shared. “The treatments for NET tumors, it’s surgical removal of…chemo and radiation they find rarely helps as a treatment.”

Allen further explained, if the NET has not metastasized, a cure can be found. Hers however has metastasized, so there is no cure. With that being said, in a moment of optimism, she noted that many people live for many years and often don’t pass away from the NET cancers, but complications of them.

Even when Allen is faced with the reality of her condition, she attempts to remain smiling and optimistic, hopeful that she will be one of the many people who live for years to come. Allen attempts to live each day with purpose, and focuses on the people rallying around her including her husband of 32 years, Frank, her 25-year-old son, Tyler, and two-year-old granddaughter Grayce.

“You’ve got to stay positive…and you know what is the biggest thing you’ve got to stay positive for? Everybody around me,” Allen stated, sharing that she sees how her condition has affected her family members over the years.

Each day, Allen chooses to have an infectious optimism to remain a survivor.

“The more positive you stay the better off you are. I have my little episodes, my little meltdowns,” Allen chuckled, “But for the most part, I don’t feel like this is beating me down at all. And it won’t…it won’t. As long as I’m alive it isn’t going to beat me down.”