"My experience of 'Living with and Beyond Cancer Team'"

I feel it is extremely important to give feed back on the NHS – RD&E – service that I have received to date for my colon cancer journey:

I was diagnosed with colon cancer in March of this year; ironically, I felt fit and healthy having no symptoms other than some blood in my stools. I was suddenly in a whirlwind of appointments and tests which shocked me, given I’d rarely has cause to visit any hospital. Thankfully, a whole team of health professional came into my life to guide me at each stage of this journey.

During this early stage of understanding, I had a call from Rebecca, Exercise Therapist from ‘Living with and Beyond Cancer Team’: she told me about the sessions she runs in my local community each week as part of ones’ preparation for surgery – ‘Pre Hab + Core Confidence’. I was able to have 3 sessions, the final one with Rachel, Physiotherapist.

It got me started: I was able to connect with others recently diagnosed and, importantly, understand what exercises I could do as preparation for the surgery. We were also shown light exercises to try after surgery, how to get out of the hospital bed, how best to go to the toilet – all tips to ease the inevitable discomfort after surgery! It was totally enlightening as one doesn’t necessarily think about such things. It gave me confidence in those first few days in hospital without having to rely on the nurses.

The 6 week assessment post-surgery with Rachel was utterly empowering – a face to face appointment where Rachel assessed my progress. I had religiously done the core exercises advised in the booklet ‘An introduction to the Core 4’ issued to me by the hospital stoma nurse, I was walking around my village regularly but feared doing anything else. I wanted more understanding of what else I could safely do from a specialist who understood my surgery. I had bought the book by Sarah Russell ‘Bowel Cancer Recovery Tool Kit’ which makes reference to studies which show that being active post diagnosis can reduce the risk of recurrence of colon cancer by 20/30%.

Rachel understood my eagerness to be more active and, during this appointment, she put together a plan of exercises incorporating yoga and kettlebell moves which she knew I could relate to from my pre- diagnostic fitness routines. Anything I can do to be as cancer free is vital to me, obviously, and the more information and understanding of what I can do myself is key.

I believe I have been very fortunate to have had the care, treatment and guidance from many health professionals at the R D & E: when I left hospital in mid April after 5 days in hospital, I was determined to play my part and read every bit of literature I was given on diet for the stoma or exercises to help mobility etc. Information from the right health professional makes a huge difference to one’s confidence and recovery journey.

I am progressing well, with chemo or radiotherapy unnecessary and, hopefully, a stoma reversal within a month’s time. Something I never thought I’d be able to say 3 months ago. I am focused on doing everything I can to having as healthy and fit a lifestyle as possible and I know that the ‘Living with + Beyond Cancer Team’ will continue to guide me on this path.

I am grateful.