about me

Towards the end of 2018, as a 38 year old mum to an 18 month old and 3 year old I became a Cancer Mumma.

HI, I'M SALLY

In 2018, I was diagnosed with early bowel cancer. My beautiful, carefree and predictable life as I knew it changed in a moment. As a woman, wife, mum, daughter, friend and colleague I become a cancer patient seemingly overnight.

My journey of surgical treatment, a plethora of cancer-related complications and an emotional rollercoaster unfolded. I pushed my body, mind and soul to a place of strength and determination that I didn’t know existed.

Navigating illness and recovery while caring for two young boys, maintaining a relationship, managing chronic symptoms, changes in friendship circles, processing the “why me”, ‘scanxiety’, post-cancer food phobias, survivor guilt, results PTSD, end of life fears, forgiveness, body distrust, altered body image, and returning to work have all been lengthy and enlightening roads to travel.

Many lessons have been learnt along the way:

  • Modern medicine has a strong focus on physical recovery, with very limited emphasis on emotional recovery and mindset.
  • Physical and mental health are often treated as two separate entities.
  • A healthy mindset is the key to recovery.
  • There is a misconception that once a person returns home from hospital they are ‘well again’.
  • The recovery work is done at home.
  • A lot of cancer resources and funding is targeted at older adults
  • There is a gap in education for younger adults regarding nutrition, fertility preservation, cancer fog, early menopause, intimacy, relationship breakdowns, and grief.
  • There is a place for modern and holistic medicine- neither has all of the answers.

HOW I CAN HELP?

I specialise in supporting patients to prioritise their recovery, reduce overwhelm, and access key information so that they can improve their wellbeing at any stage of their cancer journey. I have combined my skills, expertise, and personal lived experience as a nurse-come-cancer-patient to help patients navigate their cancer journey. 

  • I have over 20 years of experience working in private and public healthcare.
  • I am a Registered Nurse, hold a Masters in Advanced Nursing Practice, and Graduate Cert in Health Services Management.
  • I understand the business of health care well, and the parent/patient journey to recovery intimately

As seen in

As featured on

MY SERVICES

Sharing real-life experiences across the cancer journey, hardships and learnings of navigating a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery

I have gathered helpful links and free resources to support you through your journey

  • 1:1 Coaching support – to navigate your cancer journey with more ease so that you can focus on what matters most.
  • Project development consultations – helping your business to create services that meet the health needs of your community
  • Article writing that speaks to your audience
  • Advertise in my blog

In the media

Let’s stay connected

Subscribe to our mailing list and receive a free download

10 Ways to Take Control of Your Cancer Recovery