21. Birthday, Boob Job and A Big Decision
In this chapter, I reflect on one of the biggest decisions of my cancer journey, choosing between a mastectomy and breast-conserving surgery with reconstruction. Alongside the uncertainty of surgery planning, I also reached an important personal milestone: turning 50. Between hospital appointments, pre-surgery preparation, birthday reflections, and finding small moments of joy with family, Bella, and a walk at Rougey, this chapter captures the strange balance of ordinary life continuing in the middle of cancer treatment.
19. The Boob Decision - Preparing for Surgery
Big decisions! They don’t get much bigger than this!
Should I have a lumpectomy or mastectomy? A raw, honest reflection on the moment surgery became real and the emotional weight of making a life-changing decision.
17. Midway - A Lump or Not A Lump Part II
The first milestone of treatment. They couldn’t see the tumour. What a result. Get in there!
16. Out of the Mouths of Babes: Rockstar Energy
When I lost my hair during cancer treatment a 10-year-old called me a rock star. In the middle of chemo, pink outfits and bald days, it was childhood honesty, not adult reassurance, that gave me confidence to own it.
12. The Fallout – Losing My Hair during Chemo
Each day brought something new! I knew hair loss was coming, I didn’t expect it to happen so soon. This is the day it started and the moment I chose to take control.
11. The Week After Chemo - What I Wasn’t Prepared For
The days after my first chemo were harder than I expected. Here I share what recovery really felt like; the side effects, the fatigue and the first time I had to say no and listen to my body. What really happens in the days after chemo and how do you know when to stop pushing yourself?
10. Chemo Day One
Hair we go! Chemo Day One was a mix of fear, kindness and the unknown. From arriving at the Cancer Centre to receiving my first treatment this post shares what it was really like; practically and emotionally.
6. Treatment Plan
Whatever was going to happen I just had to accept and trust what I was being told.
