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"Core Confidence course post major surgery and chemo"

About: Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Wonford) / Cancer Services

(as the patient),

I have just completed the physio led Core Confidence course based at the Ottery St Mary community hospital and would highly recommend this course as an essential part of the cancer recovery process .

This course has been pivotal and motivational in so very many ways to my recovery journey following major surgery and chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Before starting - I felt stuck/lost and pretty useless as to know what I should be doing to aid my physical recovery after chemo.

I had little or no energy nor confidence at times and was frustrated coming to terms that I may be stuck like that and no longer be able to get better and be as physically active as before and therefore less able to contribute to family and commitments .

Firstly - the structure , assessment process , content , paced format and expertise by the team in their delivery was excellent in every way. The clear instructions and rationales as to health benefits were logical , easy to follow and replicate to aid progress over the 6 week period . I quickly became more motivated than beforehand to engage in strengthening exercises shared as a routine , fully understanding the longer term benefits.

Secondly, the opportunity to engage openly with peers sharing similar recovery journeys has been so helpful in this 'safe space' - which has been a key benefit to psychological support - I will miss my Monday lunchtimes.

Thank you to everyone who made my attendance possible

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Responses

Response from Rachel Keenan, Macmillan Clinical AHP Lead for Living with and Beyond Cancer, Cancer Services (Eastern Services), Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust last month
Rachel Keenan
Macmillan Clinical AHP Lead for Living with and Beyond Cancer, Cancer Services (Eastern Services),
Royal Devon University Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Submitted on 25/09/2025 at 14:28
Published on Care Opinion at 14:28


picture of Rachel Keenan

Thank you so much for this feedback! I'm especially pleased to hear that the course was motivating and felt like a safe space for peer support. I will pass this feedback on to the wider team.

All the best with your ongoing recovery

Rachel

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