Wendy Stemp reflects on how our Life Now Exercise program helped her build muscle strength and find a supportive community during cancer treatment.
Wendy Stemp was unexpectedly diagnosed with cancer in 2017.
"I went to the doctor because I thought I had kidney stones," she recalls. "They sent me for a CT scan, and the technician scanned a little higher to discover a tumour on my liver."
This chance discovery led to a diagnosis of bile duct cancer. Wendy went on to undergo several treatments, including surgery and chemotherapy. Just one year later, the cancer reappeared, and she was diagnosed with an inoperable stage 4 tumour.
Despite the challenges of a cancer diagnosis, Wendy shares that she didn't dwell on her diagnosis and continued to maintain a positive attitude.
"I just had the mindset to keep moving along and to follow the doctor's advice."
She adds, "one of my young grandchildren even said to me 'Nana is a survivor.'"
During this time, Wendy signed up to one of our Life Now Exercise courses in Midland. She has since participated in a Life Now Yoga course.
"My last scan showed that I was in remission. One of the findings was that I have achieved significant increase in muscle in my chest and arms."
Wendy attributes this increase in muscle to participating in our Life Now Exercise course. She shares how this has been a big motivator to continue exercising.
"My daughter is always trying to get me to exercise, and I thought, well, that was the biggest motivation I could have had," Wendy says.
"After completing the course, I decided to join a gym to continue the start that the course gave me."
Despite facing some health setbacks, Wendy shares that staying active has been immensely valuable. In addition to the physical benefits, she found that being surrounded by others who are also living with cancer created a supportive and uplifting atmosphere.
"There was one time when I borrowed a wig to wear to the class. It is nice to be surrounded by people who are going through something similar."
Benefits of exercise during and after cancer treatment
Keeping physically active during and after cancer treatment can provide numerous benefits, such as improving:
- Sleep, wellbeing and mood
- Cardiovascular fitness
- Immune cell function
- Muscle strength, bone density, flexibility, balance, and coordination.
Exercise can also help to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and contribute to future cancer prevention.
Our Life Now Program offers free of charge introductory Exercise, Meditation, Mindfulness, Mindful Art, Tai Chi and Yoga courses at locations across Western Australia and online.
Applications are essential. Eligibility criteria applies.
