We are UHB: Sarah Leckie, Cardiology Support Worker

University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust runs Good Hope, Heartlands, Queen Elizabeth and Solihull hospitals, the Birmingham Chest Clinic, and Solihull community services.

In December 2019, my world changed. I was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer on New Year's Eve. For a long time, I had dismissed my symptoms, thinking it was just irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). They weren’t the typical bowel cancer signs people talk about. I didn’t have weight loss or tummy pain. My tumour grew through the bowel wall, rather than across it, affecting my lymph nodes, pelvic floor, and even part of my vagina. By the time I was diagnosed, it had progressed quite far.

My treatment journey began in February 2020 with radiotherapy at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Even though it was a challenging time, I faced it with positivity. The Radiotherapy Team was fantastic, and what could have been a gruelling experience turned out to be oddly uplifting. I made friends in the waiting room, and we all got into the routine of seeing each other daily. The nurses were so warm and caring, and I felt supported the entire time. When you’re diagnosed with something like cancer, you can either let it defeat you, or decide to make the best of a difficult situation. I chose to stay positive, and that attitude helped me through.

But, just as I was finishing my radiotherapy, the country went into lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was Friday the 13th, and suddenly, my treatment stopped; that was terrifying. With four children and an advanced stage of cancer, the uncertainty weighed on me heavily. But I wasn’t going to give up. I fought hard for my treatment and found incredible support from the Stoma Nurse Team. One nurse in particular, Hannah, became a lifeline. In just 24 hours, she found me a new consultant, scheduled my scans, and reignited my hope. It was a pivotal moment that made me realise how vital compassionate care is during such vulnerable times.

In June 2020, I had surgery at Solihull Hospital. I knew I would live with a stoma bag for the rest of my life, and I had come to terms with that. But I’ll never forget the feeling of leaving the hospital on my 51st birthday, devastated because I also had to come home with a catheter. It was the first time I broke down in tears. Once again, Hannah stepped in and found a solution that made me feel more comfortable and heard. Her dedication made all the difference, and it was moments like these that planted the seed of a career change in my mind.

In September 2020, I started chemotherapy at the Haematology and Oncology Day Unit at ?Solihull Hospital. It was a strange but wonderful place, separate from the main hospital, where everyone understood what you were going through. We laughed and talked about our experiences, even when the discussions were difficult. Somehow, the shared understanding of what we were all facing made those sessions easier. The nurses were always there with a smile, ready to help, or just chat, and their support was invaluable.

After my chemo finished in early 2021, I returned to my old job in retail, but something had shifted in me. I had worked at New Look for nearly 15 years, a job that started as part-time when I had my fourth child. Retail had been good to me, but after everything I had been through, it didn’t feel like enough anymore. The care I had received during my treatment made me realise how important it is to help others in their most vulnerable moments. I wanted to give back in the same way the NHS staff had supported me.

So, when a friend of my mother’s sent me a job listing for a cardiology support worker at Solihull Hospital, I decided to go for it. It was my first job interview in 15 years, and to my surprise, I got the job! It was a huge career change, but in many ways, my experience in retail, especially the people skills I had developed, transferred well into healthcare. Both roles require patience, empathy, and a focus on helping people, though in very different ways.

Working in cardiology has been incredibly rewarding. I often meet patients with stoma bags or catheters, and I can see the same fear or embarrassment I once felt. That’s when I share my story. I tell them, “I’ve got one too,” and it instantly puts them at ease. It’s like we’re part of a special club, and only those of us who’ve been through it truly understand.

Looking back, my cancer diagnosis was life-changing in more ways than one. It not only made me realise the importance of early detection, as I came so close to leaving it too late, but it also pushed me towards a new path in life. The care I received inspired me to join the NHS, and University Hospitals Birmingham, and now I get to be part of the incredible team that helped me when I needed it most. I still have regular check-ups and scans, and while the physical scars remain, I’m stronger and more grateful than ever for the journey I’ve been on.

For anyone out there who might be ignoring symptoms or too scared to get checked, please don’t wait. Life is too precious, and catching something early could save your life - just as it saved mine.

If you’re inspired by Sarah, and would like to join #teamUHB, visit our Jobs website below to see all our current opportunities: