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