"My cancer treatment and recovery"

I was diagnosed with rectal cancer in late 2020 and had my ileostomy that December. In February 2021 I began a course of chemo but my reaction was so extreme that I had to be admitted to the Belfast Cancer Centre. I was in hospital for ten weeks. Towards the end of my stay my ileostomy was reversed before I was allowed to go home.

For the first seven weeks of my stay in hospital I was in oncology ward 2B where the treatment I received from the doctors and nurses was beyond exemplary. I cannot praise them enough. I felt they were more than just my carers, they became my friends.

During my time in 2B I began attending exercise classes with Joe the Cancer Centre Activity Coach. These classes continued when I left hospital and are now finished. I was a regular gym attender before my cancer diagnosis and feel a huge debt of gratitude to Joe for helping me begin the process of recovering my health and strength. On advice and direction provided by Joe I will continue to workout and build up my strength and body weight. My aim is to return to my regular gym before the year end. Thank you to all the staff in the Belfast Cancer Centre who have cared for me with such love and dedication.