A Therapeutic Radiographer from James Cook University Hospital has shared her cancer treatment journey and her return to work following “tireless” effort from the hospital team.
Joy Cole, who trained in Leeds, moved to James Cook in 2011 where she provided radiotherapy treatment to support patients with cancer.
However in October 2022, Ms Cole noticed a swelling on her thigh while on maternity leave, and was referred to undergo an MRI scan in December – after which she was diagnosed with a rare type of cancer called sarcoma, originating from soft tissue or bone.
'My mind was buzzing'
Ms Cole explained she felt as though her world had just collapsed.
She said: “The GP showed me and my husband the MRI images and said the tumour was big and aggressive. When we saw how big the tumour was, we both thought we were going to be told it was incurable. It was four days before Christmas and my mind was buzzing with thoughts about how I was going to make my last Christmas with my children special.”
She was referred to the regional sarcoma specialists at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle, where she started her cancer treatment and underwent chemotherapy from January 2023.
'It would be very difficult'
At the end of her first 10 weeks of chemotherapy, Ms Cole’s consultant told her that her left leg needed to be amputated due to the extent of the tumour.
On 6 April 2023, she underwent surgery successfully and achieved a disease-free margin of two centimetres around the whole tumour.
After 20 more weeks of chemotherapy sessions at Freeman Hospital and treatment for infections at University Hospital of North Tees, Ms Cole was referred to the prosthetics team at James Cook.
She added: “I was surprised to be referred to prosthetics at James Cook as I had been told by my surgeon that a prosthetic leg probably would not be possible due to my amputation being so high up.
“However, the prosthetics team said that although it would be very difficult to learn to walk with and to use it, they were willing to make a leg for me if I was willing to put in the work with it. I agreed and the process was started.”
'The support and encouragement I received were invaluable'
With the help and guidance of senior specialist physiotherapist in prosthetic rehabilitation Sally Smith, the recovery process began.
Ms Smith and her team assessed Ms Cole to see if she was suitable for a prosthesis. After an initial assessment by the team, she received the green light that she was going to get a prosthetic and was promised she would walk again – despite the surgeon saying otherwise.
She said: “Sally and her team are amazing. I was determined to give it my best shot and pushed myself to achieve as much as I could. The support and encouragement I received were invaluable and I felt like I was fully supported as a person, not just a patient.”
'Positive outlook and determination'
After months of walking training sessions with a prosthesis, Ms Cole returned to work as a radiotherapy research radiographer in September 2024, where she currently coordinates clinical trials involving radiotherapy.
Ms Smith added: “Joy was referred to us in our walking training sessions following her amputation. Even though she was exhausted after months of treatment, her positive outlook and determination were inspirational and made our treatment sessions with her a pleasure.
“She is an amazing individual and she should be so proud of herself, as we are all incredibly proud of her.”
'Crucial in my recovery'
Ms Cole said: “Medical staff from different professions were important in allowing me to get home to my children which is where I desperately wanted to be.
“However, the prosthetics and physiotherapy staff at James Cook have been crucial in my recovery in a completely different way. I was physically healed before I was referred to them, but they allowed me and helped me to recover mentally.
“They helped me to realise that I was making great progress and should be proud of how far I had come. The teams were not just there for me to learn to walk, but to support me fully and I can never show them enough how grateful I am to them.
“The combined support and help boosted my confidence and is the reason why I am back to work today.”
(Image: Sally Smith and Joy Cole, via South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)