Wendy Magee, aged 73
I was diagnosed with cancer of the bile duct in September 2023. I had some jaundice and itchy skin and on further investigation, I needed treatment. At my pre-assessment appointment I was weighed and measured and I met Sam, the specialist trainer, who invited me to a try a session at the gym.
I’m not one for the gym, it bores me to tears, but I agreed to go as I knew it would be a way for me to focus on something that I could do and have control over. And I’m really glad that I did.
Over three months I followed a programme, trying different equipment, and the measurements from the beginning of these sessions to the end show that I had put muscle on and I was stronger, which is good. I hadn’t realised that I would need to have more strength in my arms, to help get myself out of bed and move around post operation, and this was an area Sam helped me focus on.
That and his encouragement to push myself and ‘do five more’, I definitely recommend the Shape Up programme and in truth I quite enjoyed it.
Wayne Johnson, aged 56.
In September 2023 I was diagnosed with Oesophhageal Cancer.
I had lost two stone in weight and had difficulty eating, so I was fitted with a feeding tube and began treatment of FLOT Chemotherapy before and after a two stage Oesophagectomy Operation.
Shape up 4 Cancer Surgery was recommended to me in order to maintain my fitness during the treatment and aid my recovery after treatment. I would definitely recommend the program for the following reasons.
It helped me mentally – being told I had cancer and the treatments I needed played on my mind a lot and I worried about surviving and about my family.
I found even on days I didn’t want to get out of bed, the programme helped motivate me to get up and go to the gym for an hour in the morning a few times a week.
Being off work for a long period of time was something I hadn’t experienced before and I needed to do some normal activities that I could manage. I found even on days I didn’t want to get out of bed, the programme helped motivate me to get up and go to the gym for an hour in the morning a few times a week. After going to the gym, although I felt tired, I found my mood had improved and I was able to do other things in the day.
I found all the people in the gym helpful if I needed help, but also respectful of my personal space if I wanted to just shut off and get on with things. I was worried about other people’s reaction going to the gym as it was very clear from my appearance that I was ill, but I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all when I visited.
My fitness levels improved and I am sure this not only aided my recovery from surgery but also my mental state. I plan to continue visiting the gym after I finish my treatments.