“I never went to the gym in my life as much as I do now, even in my Army days,” says Tim Weale, an active father of two and patient at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.
Two years ago, when Tim was 44, he was diagnosed with advanced metastatic prostate cancer. His treatment involved radiation therapy and five months of intensive chemotherapy.
Tim credits the LivingRoom and Senior Exercise Physiologist Dr Shelley Kay for helping him maintain his fitness, which he says had a transformational impact on his wellbeing.
"For me, exercise is equally as lifesaving as my medication,” says Tim. “I couldn't survive without it.”
“Before every chemo session, I'd go to the LivingRoom and do a solid workout. Afterwards, I'd walk home. This helped me tolerate the side effects really well.”
“When I was in the Army, the focus was on lifting the heaviest, running the fastest, being the strongest. But Shelley's plan changed that mentality. The program is tailored specifically to me and where I am in my treatment. It provides me with a framework to build the strength I need.
“Now I'm through the radiation and chemotherapy, and I go to the gym most days. It's really important because I've got no testosterone in my body, so I don't naturally build any muscle or strength.”
Tim is now on a daily oral therapy as well as ongoing monthly hormone injections, which is keeping his cancer dormant. Working with Shelley remains an integral part of his holistic treatment.
“My philosophy is, that there's three key parts to my treatment. There's the medication I'm on, which helps me live a normal life. There's bringing a positive, optimistic and hopeful outlook. And the third one, which is really important, is my health and fitness. Chris O'Brien Lifehouse has really set me up on that pathway, in the best possible way.”
Your monthly donations help fund the LivingRoom, which enables patients like Tim to live as well as possible through and beyond cancer treatment. Thank you so much for your incredible support.
