Graduating from her Nursing degree at Swansea University seemed a distant goal for mum-of-three Elizabeth Tomlinson, after she was diagnosed with primary breast cancer in May 2007, while preparing for her first year exams.
Now, aged 41, the former health care assistant from Pembroke Dock is looking forward to a career as a qualified nurse in Accident and Emergency at Withybush Hospital, as she graduates with an Upper Second-Class Honours Degree in Nursing from the University’s School of Human and Health Sciences, on Wednesday, July 21.
Elizabeth said: “I had to undergo two operations and a course of chemotherapy in my first year alone, but I was determined to complete the year in order to pass the common foundation programme.
“Once I finished the first year, I decided that I was not going to let cancer get the better of me and I kept going by focussing on getting through one day at a time. I also had to prove to my personal tutor that I could carry on with the workload and I will always be grateful for her support and giving me that extra push when I needed it most.”
Elizabeth enrolled for full-time study at Swansea University after successfully obtaining a secondment from Hywel Dda Health Board.
She added: “Juggling hospital appointments, family life and full-time education can be difficult, but more difficult was being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 38.”
Elizabeth, who had never been ill before, said the news came as great shock to family and friends alike.
“I was scheduled for a mastectomy operation within two weeks of meeting with a surgeon following my initial diagnosis,” she said.
“My family and friends were so shocked, as I looked so well at that point. They all kept asking how I could possibly cope with this course at the same time.
“I remember that I kept fighting the cancer, although I questioned why this was happening to me.
“Someone told me that I was in good health and will make a good recovery and these kind words have stuck with me ever since.
“It was at that moment that I decided to approach this battle with a positive attitude and share my experience with others.”
While on placement during her studies, Elizabeth had to write an essay on motivation for her course Psychology module. As she worked at her computer, her hair began to fall out over the keyboard, as a result of her treatment for the cancer.
“I was getting so frustrated, so I decided my remaining hair just had to be shaved off, or the essay would be flying out of the window,” she said.
“I also knew that my appearance was changing due to the treatment and now I looked like I had cancer, even though it had already gone.”
She added: “I asked my poor husband Kevin to shave my remaining hair off. He later admitted that it had been the hardest thing he had ever had to do. He was quite emotional.”
Elizabeth’s bravery and determination has not gone unnoticed by the School of Human and Health Sciences.
Her personal tutor, Elaine Jones, said: “Elizabeth’s illness made her more determined to complete her studies. She showed great determination and tremendous courage to stay and successfully complete her studies in such difficult circumstances and to gain a First Class degree award is outstanding.
“It has been a pleasure to support Elizabeth in her studies and we hope she and her family thoroughly enjoy her Graduation day.”
Professor Melanie Jasper, Head of the School of Human and Health Sciences, added: “It is wonderful to see Elizabeth’s much-deserved success and the School of Human and Health Sciences is immensely proud of her wonderful achievement. She’s an inspiration to us all.”
Elizabeth is now in remission and says the experience, although harrowing, has made her a more empathetic person – a characteristic well suited for her career as a nurse.
“I have real empathy with people, who like me, have been diagnosed with cancer. I understand that cancer affects not only the individual’s life, but their entire social network,” she said.
“This course has held me together and shown me how to understand the disease process of cancer and, on a personal note, my fellow students have given me the drive and determination to ultimately succeed. The course has also given me the focus I need to keep going and setting new goals.”
Commenting on her Graduation, she added: “I am completely ‘chuffed’ to be graduating today and not a little surprised at just how much I have had to pack into the last three years!”
For more information about Swansea University Graduation Week visit http://www.swansea.ac.uk/graduation/
