Sue Dumbleton was referred to CancerCare after struggling with the physical impacts of breast cancer treatment. Retired mental health nurse Sue, who lives in Carnforth, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2021 after she found a dimple in her left breast.
Sue, now 67, couldn’t feel a lump at first, though she was concerned and scheduled an appointment with her GP. A biopsy revealed her worst fears: she had cancer. She underwent a lumpectomy and lymph node removal, which revealed that 12 of her 18 lymph nodes were cancerous.
“I then had rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, though I feel lucky that I noticed a change in my body and was able to catch it,” Sue said. “I received my treatment during the Coronavirus pandemic, which was a strange experience on reflection. I had to go through most of the process alone due to the restrictions, so any support came via phone calls or friends popping over for a chat over the garden wall.
“I was able to tough things out as I’m that sort of person. It was hard saying goodbye to my Border Collie for 10 days after my surgery, as he had to go and stay with family while I recovered. My greatest advice to anyone going through something similar is to get all the important jobs done in the morning, so the afternoon is your own for relaxing and self-care. When it was my time to ‘ring the bell’ at hospital, I took a friend with me, and it was very emotional. I am now on letrozole and go for regular screenings.”
Breast cancer has left Sue with significant physical effects, however. She has a locked left shoulder, and the loss of her lymph nodes means she suffers from muscle weakness and is unable to partake in her favourite hobbies, including darts. She also experienced neuropathy, a type of nerve damage, in her feet, which was a side-effect of chemotherapy.
“I was an accomplished darts player before having cancer,” said Sue, who also suffers from a spine condition called Kyphosis. “However, I lost all strength in my left arm and shoulder, my throwing side. About 12 months ago, I was gardening and did too much one day. I went to the breast clinic for x-rays and pain relief. They said the increasing tightness was an effect of radiotherapy, and I was referred into CancerCare.”
Sue admits that she was initially nervous about starting massage therapy with CancerCare’s therapist, Mark. She explains: “I’ve never been a tactile person. I was initially uncertain, but this was quickly replaced by comfort thanks to the welcoming, warm and friendly environment you experience as soon as you cross the threshold.
“Mark helped me loosen my whole body, but especially my shoulders and back. Within three sessions I was able to hit the darts board again. Now, I’m back to playing with the girls. He also improved my mobility and I’m able to lift my arms higher and have regained range of motion. He has given me back part of my life I thought I had lost.”
Sue had 10 sessions of massage therapy with Mark and now plans to resume swimming lessons to further her physical rehabilitation.
“The support and the therapy has been amazing,” said Sue. “Just go for it if you’re thinking about it but feel hesitant. The therapy is superb, but the people at CancerCare are also so warm and friendly. Mark was a star – a marvellous therapist – and I continue to see him privately even after my sessions at CancerCare have finished.”