I spent months recovering, now it’s time to get off the sofa and inspire others
As she approached her 48th birthday in lockdown, Jillian Matthew wasn’t expecting much in the way of presents.
But she did get the best gift imaginable – life-saving surgery from the NHS. “It was certainly a birthday to remember,” Jillian said. “When I got the date for the operation, I recognised it immediately, but there was no question of not having it. It was going ahead, birthday or not!” Auditor Jillian, who lives in Edinburgh, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in March, just after lockdown took hold.
“It all happened very fast,” she said. “Finding out I had cancer was a huge blow, especially as I was feeling so well.
“But when I met my consultant, the first thing he said was the cancer hadn’t spread. That was a huge relief. But I would need surgery. They just weren’t sure when it might go ahead due to coronavirus.”
Three weeks after the devastating news, Jillian spent the morning of her birthday opening presents – and the afternoon in a hospital bed at the Spire
Murrayfield being prepped for surgery the following day.
“I just felt so lucky to be diagnosed – and treated – so quickly in the midst of Covid.”
Jillian spent eight days in hospital before being allowed home, to be cared for by husband Neil. Chemotherapy followed, and she has just finished her final round of treatment. She added: “Neil has been an absolute rock. He’s been amazing and such a good support.”
Jillian plans to say thank you by taking part in her own Cancer Research UK Race For Life in a few weeks’ time. She hopes golden retriever Hamish and friends will join her for a 5K walk at a local park on September 26.
Cancer Research UK is expecting a staggering £160 million drop in income in the year ahead with a £44m cut to life-saving research funding already. To help tackle the loss, they are relying on people arranging their own Race for Life event. Jillian said: “Now I have finished my treatment, and to say thank you for all the care and support I received, I want to take part to put something back.
“I want to inspire people going through cancer, to show that they can get through it and get back to having an active life. I’ve spent months recovering on the sofa so it’s time to get out again.”