One of the most challenging aspects of a cancer diagnosis is how fast your life changes. After you receive a diagnosis, the next few days and weeks can feel like a whirlwind as you work with doctors to develop a plan and begin treatment. The initial speed and urgency are often physically and emotionally overwhelming. That was exactly how Quincy Hancock described his cancer experience over the span of 6 months.
“My journey went so fast…”
“… that it was hard for me to process all that was happening,” Quincy explained.
After his doctor detected high PSA levels in December of 2020, Quincy received a biopsy in January and was diagnosed with stage 2A prostate cancer in early February. Two months later, he underwent surgery to remove the cancer. Thankfully, he received a non-detected PSA result in June of 2021. All of this happened while he was still rehabbing his Achilles tendon which he tore just a few months earlier.
Meaningful Change Takes Time
After receiving his cancer-free designation, Quincy talked with his doctor about his health and recovery goals. This conversation led Quincy to join our Survivor Fitness network in Nashville to help him improve his diet and establish new exercise habits. In addition to working with a Survivor Dietitian/Nutritionist who provided meal suggestions, Quincy was also assigned a personal trainer who assessed his capabilities and designed workouts to help him get back into the habit of exercising.
“The biggest win for me was getting to the point where I actually wanted to work out 3 days a week,” Quincy said. “It was also valuable to realize that working out doesn’t have to be intense, it just has to meet the level of energy I have that day.”
As every cancer survivor knows, one of the biggest questions after treatment is, “Will I still be able to do the things I loved most before my diagnosis?” For Quincy, this meant cruise vacations. By collaborating with his trainer, Quincy was able to learn exercises he can do at the gym, at home, and even in the middle of the ocean while enjoying his favorite way to travel.
“Be Patient With Yourself”
After 12 weeks with his personal trainer, Quincy developed a personal plan that allowed him to work out 2 to 3 days a week by walking and using resistance bands. He is excited about getting to the point where he can eventually work out at the gym 2 or 3 days a week.
“If there’s one thing I would say to someone else on the journey based on my experience it would be to take care of your mental health too. The emotional recovery is just as important as the physical one. Sometimes this means being patient with yourself. You are stronger than you think, but there are days where you can only do what you can,” he said.
We are extremely grateful for Quincy Hancock and his participation at Survivor Fitness. If you or someone you know is a cancer survivor looking to regain your health and wellness through one-on-one personal training and nutritional support, we’re here for you! Connect with us today to learn more.