FORCE helps Diane ride again
Up to December 2021 I would have said I was fairly fit for my age, horse riding three times a week. But a riding accident resulted in me dislocating my right ankle, breaking it in two places and breaking my right leg. After physio through the hospital and privately I still didn’t feel strong enough to get back on a horse.
Fast forward to February 2024. I had a colonoscopy due to weight loss, fatigue and never feeling like I could fully empty my bowels. It was colorectal cancer.
Things moved fast – in March 2024 I had a permanent stoma (Stanley), followed in April and May by a five-week course of chemo radiotherapy. I didn’t suffer from any side effects apart from fatigue, which made me wonder if it was working.
But it did and it shrank my tumour. At the beginning of October 2024, I had APR (Abdominal Perineal Resection) surgery, which included removal of the gracilis muscles from both my legs.
I had been told about FORCE since my diagnosis but I had managed well, having a very close group of friends and family, until this point.
At the end of October I spoke to Becky (FORCE oncology physio) regarding what exercise I could do as, apart from exercises for my core and short walks, I was stuck feeling I could do more but didn’t want to aggravate my healing process.
On that day I set a goal of being able to go horse riding again. I was told about all the services FORCE offers but I was only concerned about my mobility so we discussed Pilates and gym.
I started the 12-week gym referral programme through FORCE at the Isca Centre in April 2025 as it fitted around my working hours and from the first session I was taught to use the equipment safely while improving my fitness without exhausting myself.
I am now a member of the gym and still go three times a week to continue to improve and retain my fitness. This service has been of great benefit to me and I would highly recommend it to everyone. I’ve made friends along the way, sharing our post cancer fitness journeys.
Happy ending to my story – my daughter, Jessy, arranged a two hour horse-riding trek over Dartmoor for my birthday in August and I DID IT.
Thanks again FORCE for making this happen. Without your help it wouldn’t have and I’m so grateful.
Diane kindly shared her story in the FORCE Impact Report 2025 – read more inspiring stories and the impact of FORCE here.
