A local resident who overcame bowel cancer is set to walk 33 miles to thank staff at Watford General Hospital for helping her through her treatment.
In December 2022, Linda Pottinger attended the funeral of a friend, who had sadly passed away after being diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer. Little did Linda know that she too had bowel cancer.
Speaking to WATFORDnews, Linda said: “I was placed under the care of the colorectal cancer multidisciplinary (CCM) team at Watford General Hospital. The next couple of weeks passed in a maelstrom of appointments, as well as meeting my consultant surgeon, Mr Cheetham.”
Linda explained the importance of the CCM team in her recovery and the support they offered, especially Mr Cheetham, who had noted Linda’s humour and told his own jokes to calm her nerves.
A few weeks after undergoing surgery, Linda was given the all-clear. To thank the team at Watford General Hospital and raise funds for West Herts Hospitals Charity, she will take on a 33-mile walk visiting every hospital that helped her during her journey: Watford General Hospital, Mount Vernon Hospital, Hemel Hempstead Hospital, OSD Healthcare, and St Albans City Hospital.
She is planning to take on the walk on Wednesday, March 6.
She said: “My friend was only 59 when she passed, surviving just 28 months with her diagnosis.
“This has been a blessing in disguise, as if this has all happened to me because I was meant to be here to give back. By giving back, I am getting so much from it; it’s part of my healing!”
To find out more about Linda’s fundraiser, head to www.shorturl.at/OV258
I am in recovery from bowel cancer and can only concur with Linda’s assessment of the wonderful treatment offered to me at Watford General Hospital . Every success in your endeavors Linda