A WOMAN who battled cancer has fulfilled her ambition of qualifying as an occupational therapist.

Sue Stanley was forced to put her studies on hold in 2006 when she was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

Ms Stanley, from Coxhoe, County Durham, underwent 12 hours of major surgery, followed by a long and hard rehabilitation.

But the long-serving NHS technical instructor was determined to complete a part-time fouryear BHSc course at York University, which she had started in 2004.

With the support of her employer, the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, Ms Stanley gradually returned to her work and her classes, and qualified as an occupational therapist earlier this year.

She said: “When I first found out I had oesophageal cancer I thought it was the end of my world, but I soon realised with support you can do anything.

“I cannot express how much I appreciate the support I have received personally from the trust and, in particular, from my work colleagues.”

Ms Stanley now works as part of a community mental health team for older people’s services in Darlington and Teesdale.