Resistance is (not) futile

Picard did escape the Borg in the end.

It's over a year since my surgery - since a large chunk of my lower bowel was removed, evicting Gertrude and her offspring. It's a year since Ripley was introduced and I am now so used to it, I don't really think about her (until she makes a really terrible smell!).  Abdominal surgery is pretty full on (ask anyone who's had a caesarean section) and recovery is slow. But at Ipswich hospital I was put on the 'enhanced recovery after surgery' programme which meant they tried to get me moving on day three (which would have been fine if I hadn't collapsed). 

My initial exercise regime was walking the dogs, gardening and working my way slowly up to chopping logs. Though I was getting my fitness back (and I had lost weight thanks to Ripley) my core - those muscles that had been cut through to complete my therapeutic surgery - had about as firm a six pack as a blobfish.

Initially I started Pilates at our village hall. I still go every Thursday evening and (although I can't do the exercises laying on my front) I am definitely making progress. But a few months ago the Hospital called me - they have a pre-hab and re-hab exercise class for people who will have or have had bowel surgery.

The classes involve resistance bands and, I have to say, the first few sessions, even the warm up got my heart rate up more than I'd been used to since pre-surgery. There were only a few of us in the class - two of us post-op, and one pre-op (though more joined later). Each of us had a unique experience of surgery and recovery, including our instructor, but there is no doubt that every one of us benefitted from the class. I managed a couple of classes at our local swimming pool too (thanks to the John Le Vay centre at Ipswich), but the new job meant I couldn't carry that on during the day sadly.

I'd never done resistance exercises before - but there was so much that was relatable with the breath training I'd done with Jen Tiller. I love it when things all tie up - Buteyko breathing, Pilates, resistance exercise in swimming class and resistance band training.

Now I'm back at work, and though I sit at a desk all day again (instead of pottering around the house and garden), I find that I am improving my posture, breathing better, and still doing regular resistance and Pilates classes.

Resistance isn't futile - resistance is part of getting my fitness back and building confidence in my body. It may have had a serious run in with cancer and lost a large section of my insides, but I am alive, and kicking, and grateful for the care of the NHS, and the love of my wife and family. Resistance is futile in just this one instance - love. 

Useful links:

• John Le Vay Centre for Cancer Support at Ipswich Hospital
• Bowel cancer symptoms 
• Exercise guidelines for cancer patients
• Move more for health

Liked this? Try...

• Situational Awareness
• Troublesome angels (short story)

Always learning

Research - vital in finding treatments
for muscle wasting conditions (C) MDUK

'Always learning' is what I replied to a LinkedIn post asking 'what two words sum it up for fundraisers?"  Because no matter what job I have had, I have always learned something new, and I've learned a lot more from recent interviews too. Each job I applied for I researched the charity, and for those that I interviewed for, I was privileged to talk to some of the team members and learn even more.

Last week I started a new role (a maternity cover) at Muscular Dystrophy UK (MDUK). And the learning for me is in full swing. I had no idea that ther are over 60 different muscle wasting conditions, and that muscular dystrophy is more of a collective term. The most common, or perhaps just the one I'd heard of, is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and it is common in male children in the UK. It's scary to think that your newborn could end up with a condition that means reaching 30 years old would be an achievement.

The charity are small compared to some I've worked for, but the cause is big. 70,000 or so individuals with muscle wasting conditions in the UK, and their families - parents, grandparents, carers, siblings... they are all affected by MD.

I'm only her for 10 months, but while I am I am going to do everything I can to make the team I work for a success, and help raise income for the work of MDUK which includes research, support and information, advocacy and campaigning. 

It's early days in the role, but I am always learning, and (I can't help it), always fundraising. I will be posting more as I learn more. 

Liked this? Try....

• Charity Begins ... from November 2011
• Proud to be a fundraiser - from October 2016
• Fundraisers are human too - from July 2019
• Expect to pay for the packaging - January 2013

Useful links:

• MDUK - A-Z of conditions
• Changing Places map (toilets for people with special access needs)
• Play the MDUK Christmas Raffle (go on - you may win a prize and you will be helping people with muscle wasting conditions)
• Win a Mini raffle - very cool prize!