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Cancer Has Made Me Realise What I Can Do

I used to be the person taking photos of family members as they did high ropes or swam in the sea – things that would put me out of my comfort zone – but since discovering the power of movement post-cancer, I find I push myself more.

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I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021, aged 48. I’d been saying to the doctor for about two years that something was wrong. The diagnosis was frightening and I was full of questions: is it curable? What about my kids? My husband? My step kids and step grandkids? I was inundated with people who said: “you’ll be ok, you’re strong” etc and they meant well but in truth nobody knows how I felt or how I would be. (I actually got a friend to ask others to stop saying to me “you’re strong”!) I needed surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy and for me it wasn’t a question of being strong – you just have to do what you have to do.

Before cancer I played tennis but I hadn’t really played much in recent years. I’d also run a bit but never really loved it. Walking was the one thing I’d always done and I was keen to keep moving during chemo. My involvement in our local community garden meant that after diagnosis I could do a bit of walking and get fresh air too, both of which are important to me.

One day when I was waiting for my chemo I spotted a poster for 5k Your Way in Nottingham so I texted some friends and suggested we go along. My first visit doesn’t really count as there was torrential rain but my second visit was when I took part properly. It was so nice to go into an environment where people would understand cancer, would simply “get it” – especially as I was totally bald at the time. Having never really been a runner I walked/jogged it with friends and my daughter and I felt so inspired by those around me. I’ve now done 115 parkruns and I’m fitter than I was before cancer.

Early on in my taking of Tamoxifen I could barely move, I put on weight and I was fighting side effects. I had young kids and I questioned whether I could stay on the drugs. Movement has helped with all that. Moving means I don’t feel lethargy and aching and it massively helps me sleep more deeply. It also helps with the mental side of things. The sense of achievement when you move means that your focus shifts away from cancer. I’ve now done several 10k runs and my first half marathon which I never would have thought possible.

There’s also a knock-on effect with movement in terms of confidence. I used to be the person taking photos of family members as they did high ropes or swam in the sea – things that would put me out of my comfort zone – but since discovering the power of movement post-cancer, I find I push myself more. I did my first surfing lesson in Dunnet in the north of Scotland two years ago and I’ve also tried the high ropes twice! Exercise has given me confidence (or stubbornness?!) to try stuff. Cancer might have actually stopped me but instead it has made me realise what I can do.

The confidence also comes from being a part of something – in this case 5k Your Way and MOVE. I’ve made lots of friends through the charity and I’m so grateful for that. As well as friendships I’ve found inspiration too. People like Lucy Gossage inspire me (she’ll be mad at me for saying that!) I mean if she can run to her work as an oncologist then I can run to my exercise class! So I now do…