How did you first hear about The Wellbeing Space, and what made you decide to come along?

"I heard about The Wellbeing Space through a lovely friend from chemotherapy who said, 'You must go - I'm getting so much out of it.' Then when I went for radiotherapy and met Rachel, who is a radiotherapist and also one of The Wellbeing Space founders, she also mentioned it. I thought, that’s two recommendations, I’ve heard brilliant things, where do I sign up!'"

Can you share a memorable moment or experience from The Wellbeing Space?

"The contrast between our first and last sessions. In the first session we were all nervous and closed off, but by the last session we were really emotional because we'd come through so much together - shared so much of ourselves. Reflecting on how close we’d become compared to that first session - how much we'd gotten out of the group and each other, that was really memorable.

This was a few years ago, and at the time you can't imagine it, but you do eventually reclaim your life. So, although we all get very busy in our lives we make sure we still see each other - we book ourselves in maybe six weeks ahead, ‘Right. We're going to save that Saturday and get together’, and it's lovely when we do.”

How has being part of The Wellbeing Space made a difference during or after your treatment?

"It made a massive difference after treatment. During treatment my head was full of appointments, getting through treatment, and all the physical side effects. Once treatment finished, I had this feeling of being lost. My whole year had been dictated by appointments and seeing professionals, then suddenly there's nothing for twelve months - it's quite daunting. That's when the emotions really kicked in for me, and The Wellbeing Space came at just the right time. The real advantage of group therapy is listening to other people talk about how they felt - you think, 'Oh gosh, that's me too.' It helps you understand your own feelings by connecting with others.

They also really helped and supported me as I rediscovered my path and purpose. I think it's very common after cancer to feel a bit lost. I've always wanted to go into nursing, but I hadn't for various reasons - life gets in the way when you have young children. But my children are teenagers now, and having gone through cancer, I thought, 'Right, I've got my second life now. What am I going to do? I'm going to do all the things I've had in my head thinking I could do one day.' Once you've had cancer, you've got to make that 'one day' today because you don't know what the future holds. That's actually a very positive side effect. It sounds negative, but it's not. It makes you realise the value of life - life is fragile, so do something with it. Get on with your plans. Reevaluate. Do what you need to do."

What does being part of this community mean to you?

"It means love and support - I say that from the bottom of my heart. With the friends I've made, we can have the most heart-to-heart conversations, even if we haven't seen each other for a year. When I talk with other cancer patients, we already have that foundation in common. We get each other. It's like an unknown language to other people - there's a shorthand with people who've been through it. We're still supporting each other years later. When someone has a scare or needs a biopsy, only people who've been through cancer truly understand what waiting for results feels like. With other friends, you have to explain how it feels, but with my wellbeing friends, you don't need to - they just know." 

Learn more about cancer treatment and care at The Christie Private Care