Hi,
I was diagnosed with a T1 high grade bladder cancer back in march this year and have undergone multiple general anaesthetics, TURBTS, biopsies, a chemo wash and the initial 6 weeks course of BCG treatments.
I've unfortunately experienced a lot of pain throughout my journey due to complications from a previous hysterectomy which meant that I was quite incompasitated a lot of the time in bed for 6 months. I've lost all of my body's core strength, my get up and go and I'm hating my body shape at the moment as I've somehow managed to put weight back on, lack of exercise and moving in general I guess.
Anyway, I finally managed to visit the MacMillan Horizon centre in Brighton the other day and they've been amazing and super helpful! I can't sing their praises enough!
They've booked me in for some free yoga to help me stretch back out and free massages to help me not snap when I move! I've booked in for a walking group to get moving again! I'm pretty skint at the moment as are a lot of us! So their help has been invaluable to me!
They offer all sorts of courses, support, complementary treatments, they've got an amazing coffee shop and also access to a free drinks station if you can't afford. The staff are so kind and helpful.
They're there for anyone, family, friends and patients. The treatments and groups are available to all too and there is also a specific bladder cancer support group which runs every couple of months for a couple of hours in the evening which I'm really interested in attending. I couldn't make the last one unfortunately as I was just too ill to go but really wanna make the next one if I can.
They also have live online yoga and other events so if you can't make it in person you can still benefit from their help.
I thought I'd post this as when I was first diagnosed I felt super alone and I really struggled to find any support group specific to bladder cancer in the Brighton area. Only 1 doctor directed me to try the centre during my whole journey and I thought other people here might find it useful?
I highly recommend it to anyone affected by any cancer, I've found the place so helpful and uplifting.
If anyone's interested it is located at the bottom of the hill to a&e on Bristol Gate and Edward street in Brighton.
I know Macmillan have other centres located all over the UK also. Check them out if you can!
Good luck and best wishes to all!
Kitty xx
Hi Kitty.cs . Sounds a wonderful place. I hope you find it beneficial to you. I hope the yoga helps you both mentally and physically. I am sure others in the area will be interested. Best wishes.
