Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
My name is Joy and I'm from Bedfordshire, and I'm 63 years old.
I had breast cancer in 2007 and I'm just coming up to five years.
I had surgery - a lumpectomy, and radiotherapy, and then I've been on tamoxifen.
Before I had cancer I was quite active. In my job as a teacher I was always on my feet.
I enjoy walking and singing and gardening. Cancer really affected my life.
It's quite a life-changing affair and I was very fatigued and tired and lost all confidence whatsoever.
My oncologist actually sent me to the gym. As a mature person I was
very unsure this was going to work out. The last time I was at a gym was when I was in my thirties.
I felt really lacking in confidence but through the help of the staff I quickly fitted in
and started on all sorts of activities at a low level and just gradually built up
My exercises were tailored to the type of cancer I'd had - like the arm exercises
- they were quite concerned that this might hurt my arm and I started off very slowly, but it worked really well, plus
the rowing to strengthen your arm. My advice to anyone that's going through the
journey of cancer is to get up and go. And to create a mental picture of yourself as a happy,
healthy individual. For information, help, or if you just want a chat, call the Macmillan Support Line
on 0808 808 00 00 or visit Macmillan.org.uk