Highland NHS radiographer learns to walk and cycle again after cancer battle

While working as a therapeutic radiographer for her entire career, Maureen Beange had no idea that one day she would be the one receiving the therapy.

The 56-year-old was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer in June 2023.

After experiencing sporadic pain in her back and shoulders for several months and seeing various GPs, she was finally diagnosed with a tumour that had been compressing her spine.

Speaking about her experience, now-retired Maureen said: “I had pain around my spine, but nothing permanent, and nerve pain in my shoulders.

“I had been seeing an occupational health physio, who was determined it was not a sports injury. I saw a GP who did nothing.

“It gradually got worse, but it was still coming and going, until I got back from a holiday and returned to work - I just couldn’t be on my feet as it was so painful.

“I knew from my own job that I had cord compression, and I ended up screaming at a GP on the phone that day. They made an urgent referral.”

Maureen was then examined from head to toe, and that was when the diagnosis was finally revealed.

She then underwent surgery in Aberdeen to decompress her spinal cord.

Maureen said: “When they gave me the steroids by injection, it was the best pain relief I’d had in months!”

She then had radiotherapy, which was performed by her former colleagues, followed by stem cell treatment and induction chemotherapy. She is now on “preventative measures”, having finished her treatment in September 2024.

Having been a very active person before her diagnosis, Maureen, who has lived and worked in Inverness most of her life, has had to relearn to walk at times and has seen her body go through various changes, which she is still learning to navigate.

“I’ve tried to just keep going through everything and keep doing some kind of exercise,” she explained.

“Even when I couldn’t walk properly, I was just trying to build up again. I left hospital with a Zimmer frame, walking sideways, and my daughter had to hold me up for her graduation.

“I went from not being able to climb the stairs at the Eastgate Centre to being able to do so, or getting up Stephen’s Brae again.

“I’ve had to recover three times, and my walking distance decreased after radiotherapy. I had to use sticks, and then I got off them.”

However, one of Maureen’s biggest milestones has been getting back to cycling and she is now volunteering with the Inclusive Cycling group at UHI Inverness.

Speaking about the empowerment of getting back on wheels, she said: “I was going demented as I had to isolate and could only meet people outside.

“I had an e-bike sitting for one year, but I wasn’t allowed to use it in case I broke my spine falling off!

“I was eventually allowed to use it, and I went round the car park a few times with my husband. Then I said, ‘I’m just going,’ and cycled away.

“A few different friends came out with me the first time I did the journey from the UHI campus to home. It felt so good. It was a bit terrifying to start with though!

“So I can ride the e-bike, but it is also a hybrid. I was used to riding a road bike and a gravel bike with dropped bars, but my spine won’t let me go down low enough to do that now.”

Next up on Maureen’s list? Skiing! She’s also started climbing at The Ledge in Inverness, which she is loving.

Maureen has held on to one mantra throughout her journey and recovery: “I can do this.”

She said: “Keeping active has helped me feel less tired. Getting out in nature is so important too, as it just sort of clears your head - you aren’t just moping about focusing on what’s wrong with you. It’s easier to deal with the threat.

“I’m able to enjoy myself now.”

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