The Big “C”
In February 2021, I was diagnosed with Stage 2 Cervical Cancer. I was told I needed to have surgery immediately and possibly 6 months of chemoradiation. As you can imagine I was completely and utterly devastated. At 49 I thought I wasn’t going to make my 50th birthday in December ’21. I went to a very dark place and started making photo books for my 2 young sons.
Cervical cancer is caused by a Virus which 90% of women easily clear. My body had different ideas – my immune system had not managed to clear the tumour that had been growing for several years. Why did I get cancer? I was fit and healthy. Doctors simply said: “You are just really unlucky.” And: “It’s your age – things happen around this time of life.”
I had to undergo major surgery – a radical hysterectomy – they took everything out – uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix and lymph nodes. Fortunately the amazing surgeon managed to cut out all the cancer and I didn’t have to have chemo! I was, however, plunged straight into Surgical Menopause.
Over the last year, I have had to put myself very slowly back together – I was starting from zero… rock bottom….I couldn’t walk for the first few weeks. My muscles all turned to fat and I was feeling very depressed but also thankful that I was hopefully clear of the cancer.
So how did I do it? The answer is “very slowly.” I overhauled my diet, going mainly plant-based with lots of nutrient-dense green smoothies and vegetables. However, I love my food and felt my body needed some animal protein so I do occasionally have an organic piece of steak or fish.
I put together a fitness and wellness programme and gave myself a month to see if I made good progress. I only managed to exercise properly 6 months after the operation! I did lots of walking outside in nature and really looked after myself, which really helped my mood. I’m currently about 80% back to where I was before the operation – and I’m completely fine with that. The doctors said it could take even 2 to 3 years to feel like “me” again!
I have had to work hard getting my body weight and body fat levels down without “going on a diet”. Diets don’t work. I needed to build lean body mass. So, with all my years of expertise in fitness and nutrition, I devised a 30 Day Programme which is aimed at (mainly) women over 40 but will also help people who have had an illness like me or even those suffering from Long Covid.
Over the last few months, with my new way of eating and my new exercise regime – I’ve reduced my Body Fat by 4% and lost nearly a stone.
Click here to find out more about the ‘Embrace 30 Day Programme’ and take back control of your life!