In reply to UKC News:
I went through Hodgkins Lymphoma when I was 25, and had a course of fairly aggressive Chemo Therapy for 4 months. Climbing was my life and was told I should not risk climbing. After a month I decided I couldn't not. At the time I found walking up the three flights of stairs to my house tiring so I had to develop a way of working out moves from below, and then rushing between rests so I could catch my breath and continue. I had to drop a couple of grades but it kept me sane and motivated through the treatment. Once treatment finished, I became very depressed for years, although at the time I didn't realise it. I had what I realise now was mild PTSD and suffered very badly with self esteme issues. I felt (entirely illogically) that my body had betrayed me. The only thing that kept me vaguely on track was climbing - it's been my soulmate through some difficult times and I can recommend it as the best therapy possible - getting into nature, connecting at a somewhat deep level with partners, giving yourself goals to work towards, even if you fail at some of them, and of course exercising to release those endorphins. Keep it up - it' a tough experience especially when you are so young, but time (and climbing) is a healer!
Post edited at 22:34
