MARGARET RANSON had only gone to the doctors complaining of sinus headaches, so it was a huge shock when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Tests at The James Cook University Hospital revealed Margaret, 68, of Billingham had fast growing non- Hodgkin lymphoma and a gruelling regime of chemotherapy followed.

Margaret’s treatment finished in July 2012, but it left her feeling totally fatigued and it was a while before she could start to get back to some sort of normality.

“I spent last summer in bed,” she says.

“I was so weak that I could not even attend my granddaughter’s 18th birthday celebrations, but I am making up for it now.”

It was an invitation to attend Macmillan’s Helping to Overcome Problems Effectively (Hope) programme at James Cook, last October, that really helped Margaret to get her life back.

“I had a fantastic support network of friends and family, but the Hope programme was the first thing I did on my own,” she says. “If I had only seen the advert in the day unit I probably wouldn’t have gone, but the haematology nurse told me about it and encouraged me to go.”

When Margaret first started going she was still suffering with side-effects of the treatment, such as hair loss and fatigue.

“But I could see how well the other participants had done and that lifted my spirits and gave me hope for the future. I lacked confidence and had low self-esteem, but the programme inspired me to move on.

“It gives you the opportunity to be really open and honest with people because you have all been through the same thing.

We were taught relaxation techniques and we did a lot of goal-setting to help us overcome our problems. It made you realise that even little things, such as walking to the local shop, were steps in the right direction.”

Macmillan cancer information manager Julie Taylor says having cancer is a lifechanging event. While initial concerns may be about treatment and prognosis, there are thousands of people each year who complete treatment and need to resume something approaching a normal life.

“However, many find it difficult. They may be fearful their cancer will recur, and are concerned about how it impacts on their relationships and everyday life,”

says Julie. “After such intense interaction with healthcare professionals, many feel abandoned following cancer treatment.”

The Hope programme is a seven-week self-management programme which is designed to provide extra support for patients when treatment is coming to an end or has finished.

“Each session is very informal and completely confidential,” says Julie. “It equips the patient with strategies to help them manage fatigue, emotions and stress and to encourage them to eat healthily and participate in exercise and other activities.

The Northern Echo: John Buckton
Julie with John Buckton, volunteer co-ordinator for Macmillan at the James Cook University Hospital

“It encourages patients to look for the positives and have hope for the future.

The group share experiences, common fears and discuss issues that they find most helpful to their own situation.”

“It definitely boosted my confidence. It helps you to take things one step at a time and to get back on track,” says Magaret.

“Recently I have started to think how normal life is again and it’s lovely. I still get tired, but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel now.”