MOVE and Shine: A Journey of Strength and Support
MOVE Against Cancer and Shine both hold a very special place in my heart.
When I was first diagnosed with cancer I felt lost, a feeling that many of us can relate to, even without the shadow of cancer. My husband and I had some time to mourn the diagnosis together, but after a long while I began to feel like I was burdening him with too much of my sadness. I felt guilty, like I was adding to the weight he was already carrying. So I made a decision to share my feelings with someone else, even though it’s something I’ve never found easy. I hoped it would make me stronger, not just for me, but for my husband too. After all, I’m the one living with cancer, but he’s the one facing the reality of an ill wife and the possibility of raising our children without their mummy.
I wanted to talk to others in a similar situation so I joined a local cancer support group for people with incurable cancers. The group was amazing – filled with kind, understanding people. But I struggled with being the only young person there. I’m in my 40s and it was hard hearing others talk about the fear of not seeing their grandchildren grow up. At my lowest I felt a strange, misplaced lack of sympathy because my own cancer had a low survival rate and all I could think about was how desperately I wanted to see my own children grow into adulthood.
That’s when I realised I needed to find a different kind of support, something that spoke to where I was in life. So, I did what I do best – research. That’s how I found the Shine Cancer Support group on Facebook. I started reading what others were posting and I felt an immediate connection. Our experiences and fears were so similar and it was a relief to finally feel seen and understood.
A little while later, Shine shared details of their five week programme for people with incurable cancers. It sounded great. I love learning and I’ve always been drawn to self-reflection. The idea of structured activities and shared experiences felt like exactly what I needed. I was excited to allow myself to be vulnerable and to be open with people who truly understood what I was going through.
The sessions gave me strength in ways I didn’t expect. One concept that I learnt about that really stuck with me was the circle of control. I had never heard it used in the context of cancer but it was a game changer. Focusing on what I could control helped shift my mindset. It slowly led me down a path of improved physical and mental health. The programme helped me realise that while I may not have control over my diagnosis, I do have control over how I spend my time, how I connect with others, and how I make the most of whatever time I have.
Through Move and Shine, I’ve found not only support but a renewed sense of purpose. These communities have helped me see that even in the darkest times there is strength in connection, learning, and focusing on what we can control. I wear my Shine and Move Against Cancer wristbands every time I go for a run now. I attach my house keys to them. It’s a reminder of the control I have over this cancer.
My love for Move against Cancer and Shine are the reasons why I’m so excited to be sharing our Move And Shine event. This is a collaboration between Move Against Cancer and Shine Cancer Support. Move And Shine is a free wellbeing event in Cardiff that focuses on managing anxiety, fitness and fatigue. The event is for people in their 20s, 30s, and 40s who are living with cancer, in remission or have been diagnosed in the past. Here is a link to sign up.
By Nazmeen Wardle-Bi