Lucy's story

“I used to be ‘Yes, yes, yes’ to everyone but since the course I am more assertive and I can say ‘No, I’m tired, I can’t do it’. My biggest step forward was being able to say no and voice my opinion.”

Lucy
Westminster, London

I gave up nursing ten years ago because I had cancer. Five years ago they found more cells and then recently they found more, so I’ve had lots of surgery but I’m now getting towards the end of treatment.

I have no family living here, but I have lots of good friends. It has been so good to have friends and to meet more people and go out more and enjoy life as I’ve got better. It was difficult to ask people for help because you know they are busy, they have their own lives. I didn’t want my brother and sister to come because I would worry about them, they don’t know this area. It was better that they were not here so I’m free of worry.

I went on an Expert Patients Programme a couple of years ago. When I was asked whether I’d like to attend I thought ‘Not really, it’s only to tell people how to live’, but then I thought ‘No, let me see what they can offer me’. I’m really pleased I did the course. You might think you know everything but there’s always something new you can learn. While I’ve been ill, I’ve had a lot of support from the doctor, the consultant and the nurses, but it’s good to have someone not medical, they can see things better.

What has made me better since doing the course is my attitude. I used to be ‘Yes, yes, yes’ to everyone but now I am more assertive and I can say ‘No, I’m tired, I can’t do it’. My biggest step forward was being able to say no and voice my opinion.

I use the book from the course, and the action planning tool. I am still making little goals to go ahead and say this is what I’ll do and then I’ll reach my target. I enjoy doing crafts but always wanted to draw and paint. Now I have joined an art class and am enjoying every moment of it.

I would say to anyone thinking about doing the course, ‘Go ahead, even though you think you know a lot’. There’s always something new you can learn from one another. It’s good to listen to the other people on the course, and they encourage you to try something new and do different things, to have a better life.