“I was first diagnosed with breast cancer at 47. Ten years later, I was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer and found out it had entered my bones.
I’ve always been a generally enthusiastic person and quite optimistic, even when I was in hospital. When I left the hospital, I had to wear a neck brace twenty-four seven (due to potentially collapsing vertebrae) and I couldn’t wash myself or drive. I was trying to navigate life at home on my own. I have always been independent, but suddenly you are unable to clean the house or get out and about on your own – I felt I could do very little.
I was trying to find a plan to get my neck brace off, so that I would be confident to drive again. When I self-referred myself to the Hospice, I was tired and lost. I first met Katherine, the Hospice physiotherapist, and she was encouraging; she developed a rehab plan and exercises for me. She gave me boundaries so that I wouldn’t overstretch myself and taught me to listen to my body. Katherine is like this bouncy ray of sunshine who cares - she is empathetic, compassionate and so gentle.
Katherine helped me to improve my stability and mobility. My best Christmas present was getting out of my neck brace so I could shower and wash my own hair. I felt confident to start walking and moving more, and by February I started driving my car, which was my goal.
I thought that would be it (in terms of support from the Hospice). However, I enrolled in a Hospice Meditation class and had a chat with the Hospice’s complimentary therapist. She recognised I was struggling with lots of issues under the surface.
I started going to Wellness Sessions in the Hospice’s Spring Centre. I took yoga, reiki and tried EFT. During Meditation sessions everyone is dealing with similar issues and it’s so powerful to be in a room where the conversation resonates with you. It feels calm and there is a beautiful softness and kindness to the community; you just feel really supported.
I used to have a significant job and didn’t skip a beat if something went wrong. I had enjoyed working as a Production Engineer and was struggling with giving up work. I had lost who I was so it became a big exercise in learning how to accept a smaller world and take joy from it, rather than grieving for what I could no longer do. When your prognosis suggests you have limited time, I felt it was important to set my mind to doing good things and taking joy from life. It’s learning how to adapt your life and having the confidence to do it.
After my secondary diagnosis I felt unable to go on holiday. However, I now feel confident and am going to France with a friend this summer.
If the Hospice didn’t exist, I would have struggled both in mind and body. The Hospice gave me a new will for life. With the Hospice’s support, I have learned to live my best life."
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