Noreen’s Story: Reflection on Lockdown

Reflection on Lockdown

Hi, my name is Noreen Elizabeth Steenson. I am 46 years old and I have Neurofibromatosis Type 1. Over the years I have had many surgeries to remove my tumours and this year was no different. I had one surgery on my right hand in March and one recently in September on my head, neck and spine, I did not like being in the hospital.

I am the only one in my family who has NF and I currently live alone in my bungalow, which has been hard in Lockdown. I usually go to my day centre to socialise twice a week. I call this my safe place as no one looks at me differently, it’s nice to have this community as we are all there for different reasons but can support each other. Unfortunately, due to covid19, my day centre has been closed and I haven’t been able to see my friends and family. Luckily, my neighbour, Lena has been a lifesaver as we are able to chat to one another safely. I also have a lot of friends on the internet, specifically in the Nerve Tumours community who are always there to support me as well as my sister, my nephews Tiarnan, Alfie and Brother-in-Law Lee, who I spoke to this year mostly over the phone. I hope this will change in 2021 and things become more normal and I can see my friends and family again.