Welcome to Marion’s Blog
We are delighted that our favourite exercise guru has offered to share her blog with us.
Those of you who use our Get Active programme to help you return to exercise safely will already know Marion very well.
But for those of you who haven’t taken the plunge yet we though this might be a good way to be introduced. Marion has many talents, as we will no doubt understand better, as we share her blogs.
So please read and enjoy (scroll down to see the blog articles) and don’t hesitate to get in touch with Marion via the ‘Contact Marion’ link below.
What Marion says about herself
Hi, I am a passionate writer, so thank you for reading this – it’s good to write knowing that my words will be read.
I am also an exercise professional and a nurse. I spend my day working with clients in our gyms, running exercise classes in care homes and helping people on their cancer journey to remain as active as possible.
I fall into the ‘older person’ category and am very interested in society’s perception of ageing and set out to challenge this whenever I can.
My husband has stage 4 Multiple Metastatic Melanoma (MMM), so we know what ‘living with cancer’ means. I also have lots of first-hand experience of what it means to live someone with a life limiting illness.
I also sit on the Patient Advisory Board (PAB) for our area’s Cancer Alliance. (The Cancer Alliances are designed to implement improvements to patient pathways for those with a cancer diagnosis. They cover from early discovery right through to living with and beyond). I try to put forward the patients’ perspective and their thoughts on what really matters to them, to you, to us. I hear many, many stories, but I am always keen to chat and hear more about what matters to you. If you have a story to tell – maybe something went really well – please let me know; phone, text, email, when you next see me! But if something niggles – please tell me that too – you know the ‘I really wish they would / wouldn’t xxxxxx.’ And if you really need to sound off – let me know – together we can bring about change as well as recognising great care.
My blogs are a mix of information from research, advice and tips on keeping fit and healthy and personal experience. If you enjoy them – let me know – if you have something to say – tell me!
Remember – we really only have today – so have courage and be kind
Marion 07860 128032 marion@alltogetherbetter.co.uk
Contact Marion
The views expressed in this blog are Marion’s own and not HCCN’s.
Being Happy
March blog I have been thinking about ‘being happy’ and what that means. So I was wondering what helps me to be happy. I thought at first that it might be money, but as anyone touched in some way by an illness such as cancer knows, money isn’t a lot of good – it... read moreSome Weeks Are Hard
We have exercise circuits twice a week for people on their cancer journey, (contact us for more details). We have lots of fun and its as hard or as easy as we want it to be. We have one rule that is specific to the exercise group – it’s a tough one – but we have... read moreChristmas can be tough
Nearly Christmas – how are you feeling? That usual mix of excitement bordering on panic? Or maybe you feel a bit flat, like its all too much and who cares anyway? Do you oscillate between being glad to be alive and petrified that you might not be here next Christmas?... read moreHow does cancer affect your belief?
Its not at all unusual to utter a prayer at times of great stress. Who amongst us has not offered up a quick one when push comes to shove? Facing a life limiting illness is often a time when we pause and reflect on what really matters in life, on what helps and on... read moreBeing Special
Being special Having cancer puts you in a separate category. Not one you want to be in – but one none the less. I’ve just read ‘The Island’ by Victoria Hislop, it’s about a leper colony and initially the horror of the isolation and the separateness of living with... read moreCould you just get a grip?
Now, this might seem a little harsh. Bear with me and I will explain. Throughout life, things happen. Sometimes good things happen and sometimes shit happens. We learn how to deal with the good and the bad as we go through life. First of all our parents show us... read more
Cancer and being cross
And I get cross with him; I get cross when he puts his gym bag on the work surface – again. (‘Don’t you know how many germs there are on the bottom of that bag and I am going to cook food there soon’ I shout) . I get cross when I drag myself out of bed at some obscene hour and he mumbles ‘do you want any help’ and promptly goes back to sleep. And I get cross when he gets up from the table and leaves me to clear up…
read more
Are you happy?
What makes you happy? I went to a talk recently all about happiness. It was about the research that is being done about why some countries are happier places than others. The speaker’s research looks at groups of people over a long period of time. And using lots of... read more
10,000 steps and that 10 minute challenge !
Its great to be recommending 10,000 steps a day and suggesting that at least 10 minutes of these should be done at a brisk pace – good ideas and they will undoubtedly make a difference. But what if you really can’t do that much – if the very thought just reduces you... read moreLatest From Facebook
1 week 3 days ago
Would you like to do Tai Chi at home, sitting or standing, under the direction of our Tai Chi teacher? You would? Then contact Annie on 01234 709836 or annie@hccnthecharity.org for more information.
1 week 5 days ago
Lynne & Richard Fitzjohn from Gt Stukeley walked with their golf bags to Brampton Golf club. They were sponsored by the players from Brampton Golf club and they wanted to donate to the hospital so today we have received some lovely pamper bags for each member of the team 🏌️♀️ 🏌️♂️ ⛳️💙
1 week 5 days ago
A big Thank You to Michael Lynch for his kind donation of £275 today (and a copy of his book 📖💙).
Michael has wrote his own book “The life and observations of a Hebburn lad” and he is donating money from the sale of this book to HCCN. If anybody is interested in purchasing a book then please let us know (they are £10 a copy - including local delivery) 💙
2 weeks 2 days ago
Fancy a chat??
Hi I’m Andrea and I’m a volunteer for HCCN. I’m also a cancer patient classified as at particular risk and so locked down tight at home right now.
But more than either of those I’m a person who likes to chat, to have a laugh, to know there’s someone there if I have a worry to share.
I think a lot of us are like that as well and some of us crave the company we shared with others from HCCN from before when we could all meet up. And although we can’t meet in person at the moment that’s no reason to give up chatting is it?
I’ve been thinking for a while about doing something positive for HCCN. I’ve made scrubs and bags for scrubs but that’s not really my strength so here I am volunteering to start a whole new venture.
It’s just called
Fancy a chat?
Fancy a chat is your way of saying that you could do with a conversation outside your family circle. You don’t have to be sad, but it’s okay if you are.
It’s as simple as that.
Pick up the phone and make the call.
If you text or ring me on 07742 923699
I will put you in touch with someone to chat to.
I’m working with a team of lovely HCCN people who also like a chat and are just waiting for your call.
So what are you waiting for?
Make someone happy and get in touch right now.
2 weeks 4 days ago
Happy nurses day to our fantastic group of nurses who look after so many patients at the moment!
1 month 23 hours ago
A poem that our lovely Annie, who runs our Ellington group, has written that we think is fantastic!
I blame this flipping lockdown
For my deep descending gloom,
Don’t wish to Skype or FaceTime
And what the hell is Zoom?
Facebook. What a nightmare
From which there is no end,
And who are all these people
Who want to be my friend?
One bloke said, “oh you’ll love it”,
Well I’ve given it a go,
Not really fully immersed in it
Just dipped a little toe,
But can’t say that I love it,
Can’t even reach a like,
I’d rather do a maths degree
Or learn to ride a bike.
I find solace in nature,
Might even hug a tree
Then do a spell of gardening
And jigger up my knee.
Might settle for some baking
To while away an hour
But where to find a recipe
That doesn’t include flour!
I miss the human contact
Of Ellington each week,
The barracking of old guys
And Douglas with his cheek.
I miss the calming presence
Of Julie, Jill and Lynn
Jill’s finger signifying “hush”
To silence all the din.
I miss the racous laughter
The constant chitter chatter,
The balls of wool unravelling
Whilst ladies knit and natter.
I miss the tangled bodies
As we try to dance in line
Not knowing which is left or right
Chris saying” it is fine”.
I miss the tea and coffee
And cakes with jam and cream,
Poor Mary craving after scones,
Alas, it’s all a dream.
Is that another message,
I heard that blasted ping,
I hate this ruddy internet
And crave the real thing.
When all of this is over
( and I say this with a grin)
This iPad and computer
Are heading for the bin!!!!!!!
1 month 3 days ago
We were due to be one of the charities of the year for this years Buckfest Music Festival. Sadly the event has been cancelled and rescheduled for next year but they are fundraising to help charities maintain an income which is incredibly kind of them!
www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/buckfest2020?utm_term=qJkJjD6wX
Help raise £5000 to support Buckfest 2020 charities
Weʼre raising money to support Buckfest 2020 charities. Support this JustGiving Crowdfunding Page.
1 month 1 week ago
A huge thank you to Marks & Spencer in Huntingdon who donated these Easter eggs for the nurses and their families. We really appreciate the families of the nursing team who are supporting them whilst their loved ones are working during this difficult time 💙
1 month 1 week ago
We had a delivery of some snacks delivered by Whitworths which are ideal for the nurses when they are out & about! Thanks very much!
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