I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a blood cancer in February 2023, I had chemotherapy and radiotherapy throughout that year. Unfortunately, in February 2024 I relapsed, where I had to undergo further treatment, this included a stem cell transplant in the August, meaning a 3 week stay in hospital. When released from hospital after 3 weeks of being confined to one room, I’d lost a lot of strength. I even struggled going up the stairs in my house on my return.
I felt at my lowest physically and didn’t know where to start. There is definitely a misconception about people losing weight when you have cancer, but unfortunately when recovering from treatment, taking lots of medication and not moving a lot, you gain weight, and feel lethargic.
People were telling me to rest, and lack of motivation to even go on a little walk, I felt I was stuck in a rut. I didn’t know where to start and anything I did do, I ended up overdoing it, ‘trying to run before I could walk’ as everyone kept saying to me.
After having a check-up with my consultant my CNS referred me to the National Exercise Referral Scheme (NERS) in the hope it would help… and I’m so glad I did it.
I went along to a consultation with the instructor Kathy (who was lovely) in November and worked out my needs. I wanted to go to the gym, but you can go into group exercise sessions too. My first session I started slowly under Kathy’s guidance and each week she added a bit more or got me to try something different. There are structured sessions to go to so you have an ‘appointment’ time as such, which gets you into a good routine. Now I don’t want to miss it.
The confidence and strength I gained in just 4 weeks was amazing, I couldn’t believe it! I’ve completed the 16 weeks and continuing for another 16 weeks so that I form habits.
I urge anyone struggling to know where to start to ask your CNS or GP to be referred onto the NERS scheme… you can only give it a try!!
I am a little biased as I manage a centre that offers this… but to be on the other side has made me realise what a great scheme it is!