Wigton woman on how cancer diagnosis impacted her life

Suzanne Rowley, 55, had to have her leg amputated and she lost the right-side of her pelvis after being diagnosed with chondrosarcoma in the pelvis, a rare form of cancer, in December 2019.

The mum-of-two spent four weeks in hospital following her surgery at the end of January, around the time when the Covid pandemic hit the UK.

Lockdown had a huge impact on Suzanne’s ability to recover and receive essential services, she said.

"My ability to move independently seriously deteriorated during this time. Without the physio support, I lost muscle in my back, abdomen, and remaining leg, finding myself spending every day just sitting in my chair in pain,” she said.

"My outlook on life became very bleak. I hated being dependent on others.”

Around this time, Suzanne’s mum also died suddenly.

“This was absolutely devastating. My mum was my rock and my cheerleader, and now, when I needed her most, she couldn’t be there,” said Suzanne.

“I had no chance to say goodbye and Covid meant we could not have a funeral."

Exactly one year after she received her initial diagnosis, Suzanne was told her most recent CT scan showed cancerous nodules within both of her lungs.

“All of the professionals agreed my diagnosis was now terminal. I was advised to enjoy Christmas and see if I would make it to Easter.”

“With this information, we had to make some serious decisions as a family," she added. "We drew upon our savings, hoping to have one last family holiday and make some special memories for my two teenage girls. I made sure my will was up to date and decided on funeral arrangements."

But fast forward to February 2021, she was told unusually the nodules had changed, with some now smaller.

"To most people, this would be the best news - there had been a mistake and I was going to live.

"This was not the case for me after I had spent several months coming to terms and actually being at peace with the news.

"I fell into a long period of depression, self-isolation and heightened anxiety over the next 12 months. I lost all my remaining confidence, terrified of leaving the house or seeing anybody."

Two years post-surgery, Suzanne said she decided she had to make a change, and began getting out in the fresh air and meeting friends again.

She also went back to work, at the Carlisle-based apprenticeship provider System People, for 12 hours a week, which she said gave her “some focus and a sense of achievement”.

“Over the last 12 months I have had so many mini successes,” said Suzanne.

She spent a weekend at the Calvert Trust, where she canoed, went on the rope swing, and zip lined.

“I am now three years post-surgery and cancer clear and really feel better about my future,” she said. “I want to get out and I want to try to be more independent.”

System People have now committed to donating £2,000 so she can begin to start looking at a more functional wheelchair for day-to-day life.

“I would love to be able to get out in an electric chair, feeling protected, secure, and stable,” she said.

“This is the next step for me to open up my life again.

“I used to love visiting local markets, trips to the Lake District, even simply throwing a ball for the dog.”

To donate to the GoFundMe page set up by System People for Suzanne, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/raising-for-suzannes-new-wheelchair