Ahead of Cancer Survivor’s Day on 1 June Beverley Lambert, a claims consultant at Cirencester Friendly (pictured), tells Health & Protection about discovering a lump in her breast four years ago, undergoing chemotherapy and reacting badly to the treatment.
She also discusses how her employer supported her through the physical and mental challenges of recovery, how those challenges have informed her approach to work and why her experience has meant she refused to dwell on negatives.
Diagnosis
Almost four years ago in November 2021, Lambert’s world was turned upside down when she discovered a lump in her breast.
She made an appointment with her GP to get it checked out and from there events moved very quickly. By the end of the month, she had had a mammogram and ultrasound, which confirmed the lump was cancerous.
She was then prescribed a course of chemotherapy to shrink the lump, starting in January 2022. This was to be followed by surgery to remove it and subsequent radiotherapy.
Unfortunately, Lambert’s body reacted badly to the chemotherapy and she was so adversely affected she was rushed to hospital in April that year with her life under serious threat.
Being discharged
But after two weeks, she was well enough to be discharged and alternative treatments were employed which were less brutal on her body, though they still left her extremely tired and unable to eat properly.
Slowly, Lambert began to recover her strength and she reached a point in early 2023 where she felt able to return to work for a limited amount of time.
Since then, she has gradually increased her hours and her health has improved and she is now in remission.
“Getting back to work was a hugely important goal for me,” Lambert says.
“Cirencester Friendly had been tremendously supportive throughout my treatment, paying my full salary while I was unable to work, which they didn’t have to do.
“Besides repaying this support, getting back to work meant leaving the cancer behind and getting on with my life.
“I was determined not to retreat from life, but to get back into the world and start living again.”
Workplace support
In addition to financial support and embracing a phased and flexible return to work, Cirencester Friendly’s employee benefits proposition helped.
“My treatment took place during Covid, which created extensive backlogs in the NHS,“ Lambert continues.
“While there was no delay in receiving the first surgery to remove the lump, there was delay for follow-up surgery, which was not deemed so urgent. I opted to use the private medical insurance (PMI) I have through work to get that done quicker.
“Being able to call on this was hugely beneficial to my mental health as I wasn’t in limbo and not worrying about when the operation might be.
“I still use my PMI for annual healthcare check-ups which gives me an extra level of reassurance.”
Return to work
Now working five mornings a week, Lambert occasionally works overtime if additional help is needed in the department and is even currently covering some duties from a colleague who herself is on sick leave.
But she adds coming back to work after almost a year away was a daunting prospect.
“I was surprised by the nervousness and fear I experienced on my first day back,” Lambert adds.
“I felt as if I was starting a new school, scared I wouldn’t be able to cope. The chemotherapy really affected my ability to concentrate on specific tasks, so learning how to focus again was one of the biggest challenges.
“I am so thankful I worked with a team that was so understanding and supportive.“
Empathising more
And Lambert maintains that her experience has undoubtedly made her better at her job.
“When I speak to claimants, I can empathise so much more with what they are experiencing,“ she adds.
“A serious illness doesn’t just attack your body; it gets into your mind. It’s so easy to doubt your abilities, lose your confidence and retreat into your shell.
“By sharing my story, I know I have given others the boost they needed to take that leap to get back to work.
“I also make sure claimants are aware of all the additional benefits they are entitled to.
“Counselling services can be invaluable, helping people with their mental rehabilitation, learning to live with illnesses like cancer and the aftermath.“
Though Lambert concedes that her experience has inevitably left scars.
“Due to the damage caused by chemotherapy, I now have a heart condition and suffer from osteopenia, which weakens my bones,“ she continues.
“I’m not the same person I was but unlike so many others, I’m still here. I’m determined to live one day at a time and appreciate everything I do have, rather than dwell on the negatives.
“I feel lucky that through my work I can help others do the same.”
