First class degree of determination

Even breast cancer couldn’t stop mum of two Susan Boot finishing her degree. Catherine Scott reports.
Susan BootSusan Boot
Susan Boot

Starting a degree late in life is a challenge for anyone, but when you are struck with cancer half way through your studies the challenge is even greater.

Susan Boot, 56, from Wakefield, started her Open Universtiy degree after her husband successfully completed a degree at night school and her sons both went to university.

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“My husband did a degree at night school and when my sons started university I thought to myself, ‘I’ll be the only person in the family who doesn’t have a degree’. I didn’t know if I would be bright enough or smart enough but I did it.”

Susan says when she left school she thought university was only for exceptionally bright people and she didn’t put herself in that category. But when she saw her sons succeeding she decided to give it a go.

She embarked on an Open University degree in Childhood and Youth Services as she felt it might help her career as an admin assistant for CAFCASS.(The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service)

But three quarters of the way through her eight-year degree Susan was diagnosed with breast cancer. She underwent surgery, intensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

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“I got breast cancer – and this was a huge situation – I could have thrown the towel in on my studies, and there were really times when I felt that I wanted to. Getting cancer changes your perspective on life. Things that once seemed important no longer do.

“But my eldest son Christopher was at university at the time, and he said I had to finish it,” recalls Susan. “And now I realise how right he was. Even though it was really difficult, when iw as standing up there surrounded by my family and getting my degree it made me realise just how proud they were of me and that all that hard work had been worthwhile.

“I had a lot of support in doing so, and it would have been a shame to not do it after all that effort.

“I had two lots of surgery, and chemotherapy and radiation treatment. At the time I didn’t think much of what I did, but now I could look back and pat myself on the back. I never really thought much about it. In the circumstances I’m quite proud of myself.”

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Susan admits there were times when she thought she might not have the strength to complete her degree, especially when it came close to the end.

“The last module was really hard – my motivation was down and other things were taking over my life – I am so glad I did it though.

“I would have really regretted it if I hadn’t. It’s such a big commitment and I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family, nu husband Philip and sons Christopher and Stephen.”

Having completed her Bachelor of Arts degree and her cancer treatment Sarah thought she would put studying behind her. But after a few months she started to miss it.

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“I thought I would never want to write another essay, but I had obviously got the bug.” She embarked on a foundation course in counselling and is now considering her future.

“I was helped so much by so many people during my treatment. Not just the medical side, but the emotional side as well which in some ways was just as important.

“I remember going to my hairdressers when my hair started to grow back and my hairdresser took me into a room by myself to give me some privacy and really helped me gain my self-esteem. Losing my hair had been very difficult for me and she really really helped me. It made me want to give something back, to train to help others, possibly in a voluntary capacity I’m not quite sure yet.”

Reflecting on the journey, Susan is understandably proud. “I think completing this degree has made me more confident in my abilities – I never thought I could do it to be honest. Discovering that I could and that I did quite well, has made me feel more confident in myself and it made my sons and my family proud, which was really nice.

“Anyone can do what they want – you just have to give it a go. Just go for it, just believe in yourself.”

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