Testimonials on the power of exercise
A highlight of ESSA’s Exercise & Cancer eBook was the testimonials – stories of everyday Australians who have embraced the benefits of exercise in their cancer journey with the help of Accredited Exercise Physiologists. Here are just a few of the inspiring stories:
Lochlan was diagnosed with Ph+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia when he was just seven years old. A normally active and healthy boy was admitted to the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne in January 2018 and spent most of that year in hospital.
Lochlan’s diagnosis was considered high risk and therefore his treatment consisted of high dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Lochlan became very weak and lethargic and some days would struggle to even walk to the shower. He lost all the muscle mass in his legs, was not motivated to do any physical activity, and spent most days in bed due to being so unwell.
Lochlan was given a fitness watch for his birthday and almost instantly was encouraged to get out of bed to increase his steps each day. The watch gave him incentives and daily goals to achieve. It was doing these steps and exercises during the most intense time of treatment that helped with his recovery and the side effects that came along with treatment. Lochlan now enjoys weekly basketball with his friends, something that once was a distant dream. Exercise has absolutely helped Lochlan’s recovery and will continue to be a big part of his future.
Testimonial provided by Cass, mum of Lochlan
Leo was diagnosed in 2016 with prostate cancer that had infiltrated his bones. After starting chemotherapy and hormone treatment he was experiencing fatigue, nerve pain, muscle aches, weight gain and mood changes. Seven months after his diagnosis, Leo booked into the exercise physiology clinic to help regain his strength and fitness, reverse his expanding waistline, and improve his energy levels. Together with his Accredited Exercise Physiologist, a tailored exercise plan was devised: he would attend the clinic for weekly supervised exercise sessions, along with a home program which incorporated walking, strength, and balance activities, and stretching.
Two and a half years later, Leo credits exercise with changing his life. Though he still experiences pain and fatigue, they are at much lower levels. His strength and fitness have greatly improved over the duration of his treatment, and his weight is gradually decreasing.
Testimonial provided by Kate Williams, Accredited Exercise Physiologist
After extensive treatment for breast cancer,
Laura was left feeling debilitated, so her breast cancer nurse referred her to the breast cancer exercise group at the University of Southern Queensland. Under the guidance and specially formulated exercise program of an exercise physiologist, Laura was able to meet her personal fitness goals.
As a result of the benefits experienced through her exercise program, Laura maintained the abdominal fat needed to form her new breast, with construction occurring in March 2019. She was independently mobilised by day one and her post-operative physiotherapist was so impressed with her recovery that she no longer had to see them after two visits. In fact, she was discharged by day four, with the normal length of stay for this procedure being 8-10 days.
Laura claims that, if it wasn’t for the support (both with her physical and emotional recovery) and the professional guidance from the exercise physiologists, she wouldn’t have been fit for surgery, nor made a speedy recovery.
Testimonial provided by Merendi Leverett, Accredited Exercise Physiologist
If you'd like to find an ESSA Accredited Exercise Physiologist who specialises in cancer care in your area, visit our online search function today.
Click here