A CV Life member has shared how an Xcel Centre rehab group and other exercise classes helped her ‘get back to some sort of normality’ after a breast cancer diagnosis meant she needed a double mastectomy.
Lea, an assistant headteacher in a Coventry school, had always loved exercise and being active. A synchronised swimmer in her youth, staying in shape through fitness sessions, such as Aquacise and walking, had always been a huge part of her life.
It was after a hike with friends that she and her husband Shaun got the diagnosis she’d been dreading; scans and biopsies revealed she had two different types of cancer – one in each breast.
The diagnosis would turn the now 50-year-old Lea’s world upside down. The mum of one would be left unable to lift her arms above her head and do the exercise she loved – her scuffed hiking boots were only able to take her as far as the bus stop on her street.
Lea’s lifetime habit of fitness and exercise, as well as her happy-go-lucky approach to life was to be challenged by a gruelling journey which took in diagnosis, multiple rounds of chemotherapy, hair loss, having to put elements of the job she loved on hold, and a double mastectomy and reconstruction.
Lea said: “I referred myself to my doctor in 2021 as I found a lump in my left breast.
Having worked very hard as a teacher to support my students through covid, on-line lessons and key worker school, I finally took a breather for myself and that’s when I approached my doctor.
“I nearly didn’t go as I felt so healthy. I had just completed a walk across the Malvern Hills with my walking friends when my family and I received the diagnosis. They had found cancer in both breasts. Two different types.”
An aggressive approach to tackling the cancer was deployed – the treatment alone would have huge ramifications on Lea and those around her.
Lea explained: “I had eight rounds of chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and reconstruction, radiotherapy, 18 immunotherapy injections and I am currently receiving four-weekly preventative injections and daily tablets – so quite a journey!”
Such an approach proved successful, and Lea was eventually put on a self referral pathway. But inevitably there were consequences – the kind of things people who’ve not been through the process often forget or don’t even realise occur.
“The treatment left me without hair – nothing prepares you for losing your identity like that,” Lea shared. “I was also quite sick at times. Food tasted like paint in my mouth if I was able to eat. It was such a traumatic experience for me and those around me who saw me so incapacitated. Despite being told that ‘as far as we can tell’, there were no signs of cancer, you carry the anxiety of it coming back with you wherever you go.
“My students and some colleagues won’t know that when I returned to school to teach face to face in September 2022, I was very self-conscious about my appearance and was still dashing to the hospital for appointments in between lessons sometimes. What my students also won’t realise is how they have helped my recovery, how I felt so at ease back in the classroom with their positive attitudes to learning and to me. It made me feel useful again. I am very grateful to be able to return to what I enjoy. Some people are not that fortunate.
“My family and friends were also wonderful. They know who. I was totally reliant on others for even the basics. It’s important not to forget the impact of your diagnosis on those around you who love you. While you’re going through treatment, it’s difficult to acknowledge the effect on others as you’re so focused on getting better. Even now it’s quite difficult for some of them to process what’s happened. And to shield from covid before and after my surgery, I even spent four weeks as a married woman being looked after by my parents. I never thought I’d be doing that!“
After the agony of treatment and post-surgery, Lea was finally able to consider getting back to exercising and rebuilding her life. A keen swimmer and athlete all her life, she was already familiar with CV Life and its venues.
She said: “After surgery on Valentines Day 2022, of all days, I was in a lot of pain. After about 10 weeks I was healing well but had lost movement. I felt rubbish. I tried to do a little walk each day though – just to the first bus stop on my road, less than five minutes.
“When I first returned to swimming, I could no longer lift my arms above my head and consequently no longer do front crawl. This made me really upset. It’s crazy that such a small thing was important to me after everything I’d been through. But it was still a huge relief to get back into the pool – it really is my happy place.
“The fantastic breast care nurses at UHCW were amazing throughout. Near the end of my treatment, they recommended a rehabilitation course at the Xcel Centre run by Lisa Boden. This was my first step back to normality. I am quite a sensitive person and I’ll admit I cried when I set foot in the building. But, after the 12 weeks, I was ready to return to Aquacise!
“Aquacise is perfect. It allows me to escape my thoughts and exercise without adding pressure to my weakened bones. It’s also a great giggle. It doesn’t matter if you go wrong as no one can see you under the water and most people are too busy concentrating. The instructors are very thoughtful and experienced. The sessions are also accessible – you can normally find a session to attend easily. It’s fun for all ages. The music distracts you from the fact that you’re exercising. And if you sing along, that’s even better!
“I then started attending sessions at all centres with a range of instructors, ones I’d attended prior to my diagnosis. What was really wonderful was how I was greeted by the instructors who seemed to remember me. In the class, I thought that I was anonymous, but they obviously thought otherwise. I made them aware of my limitations. All were very thoughtful.”
The journey has left Lea understandably philosophical about life.
She said: “When I was first diagnosed there was a lot of ‘why me?’ Especially as I had always exercised. I now believe that if I hadn’t been so healthy I would have struggled to cope with the intensity of the gruelling treatment. It would have taken me a lot longer to get back to teaching and being active.
“This has made me realise that you absolutely need to look after yourself – physically as well as mentally. I am now taking much more time to do what I like. I fit in exercise. I’ve celebrated my 50th birthday in style with my family with trips to Madeira and New York this year. I’ve also ignited my passion for writing by joining a group led by lovely local author Caz Frear and we try to attend courses, launches and talks by people such as our amazing poet laureate, John Bernard.
“I try to walk with my walking buddies and we chatter a lot. I don’t spend every single hour of my Saturdays working any more. I sometimes even go to see the mighty Sky Blues! I used to be very conservative about asking for photos with my ‘heroes’ but I have a lovely collection now. I’m always trying to make new memories.
“Learn who your friends are. Surround yourself with good people and do what makes you happy. For me, water is often involved in that happiness! I love teaching too and I am always proud of my students. I’d love to know that I’ve influenced them even a little bit.”
Speaking from a position of hard-earned experience Lea has some words of wisdom to pass on: “As we approach Breast Cancer Awareness month, I would encourage everyone to check their breasts and be aware of what is normal for them. I was under the age of screening and mammograms when I was diagnosed. Don’t leave things.
“I would also say that no-one’s journey is the same. I totally admire celebrities in the media who are promoting awareness, like the wonderful dancer Amy Dowden. However, even with the same disease there are so many variations, treatments and certainly feelings associated with diagnosis. She looks fabulous on TV but I imagine that she is not feeling sparkly every day.
“No one knows how long we have to live. I don’t know if the cancer will return. So I would encourage people to follow their dreams even if they seem small.”