It’s been a minute, and getting back here to update you is well overdue. It’s now one year after I started chemo, so here’s a rundown on how I’ve been doing. Part One: Chemo I started chemo on 25th July 2024, doing the dose-dense AC-T regime. So the first four treatments were fortnightly doxorubicin (“lovingly”… Continue reading One Year After Starting Chemo
Preparing for Chemo
Once I had talked with my oncologist and made a date to start, my mind turned to preparing for chemo. Some of the things I wanted to do were about me feeling better, and some of the things were medically necessary. Here are the things I did in the nine days between when I booked… Continue reading Preparing for Chemo
Recurrence!
It’s been a hot minute since I was last here telling my story. Now it’s all about recurrence. I’ve spent the last three years off living life, travelling, ticking off the bucket list and generally having a great time. In May I was in Europe, I had a conference in San Sebastián, Spain, and then… Continue reading Recurrence!
13 Best Books on Breast Cancer
When I was diagnosed, I wanted to devour every bit of information I could on breast cancer. Here are some of the best books on breast cancer to help you do the same. These books offer practical advice, either from professionals or survivors to help you and your support people navigate the months and years… Continue reading 13 Best Books on Breast Cancer
How Thoughts Become Feelings
This morning I have started to listen to a new podcast. It’s nothing to do with breast cancer, in fact, I didn’t even think that it was related to positive mindset. But my mind is blown and I just have to share with you all some of the things I learnt hearing about how thoughts… Continue reading How Thoughts Become Feelings
Minimising Your Scars After Mastectomy
It’s bad enough that when we have surgery following a breast cancer diagnosis our shape is going to change. We imagine being flat or disfigured. Adding to that are the scars that will also criss cross our bodies. There are some things we can do to help with that though. Here are tips for minimising… Continue reading Minimising Your Scars After Mastectomy
The One Thing that Can Make or Break your Breast Cancer Journey
Breast Cancer is hard, we all know that. There is one thing though that can really determine whether our breast cancer journey is just hard, or whether it becomes traumatic and horrific. And the good news is, we can do something about it. That one thing is our expectations. From the time we are diagnosed… Continue reading The One Thing that Can Make or Break your Breast Cancer Journey
UTM vs OTM – Where to Place Your Implants
When you are choosing your reconstruction after a mastectomy, there are so many decisions to make. Do you want implants? What size/type/shape implants? And what is the best placement – UTM vs OTM? Defining UTM vs OTM But first, what exactly do I mean by UTM and OTM? These acronyms mean “Under the Muscle” (or… Continue reading UTM vs OTM – Where to Place Your Implants
Types of Breast Reconstruction
I’ve mentioned before how clueless I was before my breast cancer diagnosis. In my mind I imagined that if I needed a mastectomy it would mean remaining flat. It wasn’t until I was sitting in my surgeon’s office and he started to talk about possible types of breast reconstruction that it even occurred to me… Continue reading Types of Breast Reconstruction
What Having Breast Cancer Has Taught Me
I’ve been back in hospital again this week, and of course it brought back memories of my breast cancer surgeries two years ago. It also got me thinking about what having breast cancer has taught me. Thankfully, this hospital visit had nothing to do with cancer. I have had a toe deformity – a hammer… Continue reading What Having Breast Cancer Has Taught Me
11 Ways to Support Someone with Breast Cancer
When a friend or family member is diagnosed with breast cancer we are often paralysed. We want to be helpful and caring, but how do we do that when we don’t understand what they are going through? Here are some suggestions how to support someone with breast cancer. Just Listen The very best thing you… Continue reading 11 Ways to Support Someone with Breast Cancer
Sharing your Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A common concern I see raised regularly by women recently diagnosed with breast cancer is whether or not to tell people about their diagnosis. Some people want to keep it a secret, others want to shout it from the rooftops. Here is my take on sharing our breast cancer stories. When I first thought that… Continue reading Sharing your Breast Cancer Diagnosis
When Your Friends Disappear After Breast Cancer
It’s happened to all of us. We have something big happen in our lives and all of a sudden our friends seem to disappear. Just when we need them the most they aren’t messaging or coming around. This seems to happen regularly after a breast cancer diagnosis; I see it a lot. Relationships are complicated,… Continue reading When Your Friends Disappear After Breast Cancer
3D Nipple Tattoos After Mastectomy – The Finishing Touch
After the months spent dealing with breast cancer treatment and the multiple surgeries required for a bilateral mastectomy it’s so nice to finally get to the last part of the process. 3D nipple tattoos after mastectomy are the final touch; that last piece that can really make you feel finished. Here is a little about… Continue reading 3D Nipple Tattoos After Mastectomy – The Finishing Touch
Lumpectomy or Mastectomy: How to Choose
Almost every single person diagnosed with breast cancer has surgery of some sort, that’s a given. But that’s where the similarities end. The big decision to have either a lumpectomy or mastectomy often needs to be made, and with so many variables, it’s never clear cut. Here are some things to think about when deciding… Continue reading Lumpectomy or Mastectomy: How to Choose
Things No-one Tells You About Having a Mastectomy
Before having a mastectomy we can’t even imagine what it is going to be like. Until we are faced with it, we don’t know how we are going to feel and we often only have a vague idea about the realities. It’s time to lift the lid on some of those things. Here are some… Continue reading Things No-one Tells You About Having a Mastectomy
Two Years Post Bilateral Mastectomy
Another year has past and I am now two years post bilateral mastectomy – which also means I am two years cancer free. Yay! I want to keep doing these yearly updates because I remember when I first started looking for photos and information from people who had been through a bilateral mastectomy. There were… Continue reading Two Years Post Bilateral Mastectomy
Breast Cancer Myths You Need to Hear Today
Oh boy, when we are diagnosed everything we have ever heard or seen about breast cancer comes straight to mind – and of course it’s all the bad stuff we remember first. Then we start hearing from everyone we come in contact about that miracle cure or “scientific” research. So many of those things we’ve… Continue reading Breast Cancer Myths You Need to Hear Today
How to Decide the Best Breast Cancer Treatment
When we are first diagnosed we are faced with a barrage of decisions. There is an overwhelming desire to just get on with treatment, and a terrible fear about that exact same thing. We don’t want to be doing this, so since we are, we only want to do it once. But which treatment is… Continue reading How to Decide the Best Breast Cancer Treatment
Easy Journalling through Breast Cancer
If you asked me if I was a journaller, my answer would be a resounding “no”. I’ve always been hopeless at keeping a diary, and when I think about journalling, I think what the heck would I write about? But, as it works out, I was journalling, I just didn’t know it. This whole blog… Continue reading Easy Journalling through Breast Cancer
Plant-Based: Eating for Breast Cancer
I believe that there is not one single thing that “causes” breast cancer, but a whole series of things that combined with a bit of bad luck create the perfect environment. Some of the things can be controlled, some can’t, and some you just choose not to. Here are the reasons I chose to become… Continue reading Plant-Based: Eating for Breast Cancer
Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctors After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
When we are newly diagnosed with breast cancer, we are shocked, scared and completely overwhelmed. It’s really hard to get your head straight to take the next step. To help you out, I’ve put together a list of ten questions to ask your doctors, and explained what you should expect from the answers at this… Continue reading Ten Questions to Ask Your Doctors After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis
A Beginner’s Guide to Breast Cancer
Let me start this with a disclaimer – I am not a medical professional. This beginner’s guide is written from my perspective, research and opinions. While I hope that you will find some information here useful, do not rely on this as medical advice, please confirm everything with your own doctors. You are likely here… Continue reading A Beginner’s Guide to Breast Cancer
Bilateral Mastectomy Pictures
As I have been going through my breast cancer experience over the last year or so, I have found comfort and motivation in sharing my story with you all. This post will show my bilateral mastectomy pictures from start to finish, all in the one post. I know that when I was first diagnosed and… Continue reading Bilateral Mastectomy Pictures
One Year Post Bilateral Mastectomy
See how far I have come one year after I had my bilateral mastectomy and started the reconstruction process.
Gifts for Breast Cancer Patients
Looking for gifts for a breast cancer patient? Click for some fun, inspirational & practical gift ideas that she will love.
Inspirational Quotes for Breast Cancer
Here are my favourite inspirational quotes for breast cancer. They helped me keep a positive mindset during my treatment. Click for your inspiration.
Nipple Reconstruction – The Big Reveal
Two weeks after my nipple reconstruction the dressings were removed. Here is how I’m recovering and what I think so far.
Nipple Reconstruction – The Decision & Procedure
Are you trying to decide whether to do nipple reconstruction after breast cancer and mastectomy? Click through to read about my experience
Tips for Coping with Breast Cancer
Have you been diagnosed with breast cancer? Here are some hints and tips to help you through the next few months.
Do You Have Dense Breasts? (And Why You Need to Know!)
Dense Breast tissue can affect our ability to detect breast cancer and increase our risk of getting it, so why don’t we know more about it?
Taking Tamoxifen
Taking Tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer recurrence can be scary – there are so many side effects! Here I talk about my own experience with this drug.
Testing Temporary Nipples after Mastectomy
After my bilateral mastectomy I tested out temporary nipples to decide if I wanted nipple reconstruction. Here’s what I found out.
Two Weeks Post Exchange Surgery
I was really eager to see my surgeon again two weeks post exchange surgery. It was finally time to get the dressings off and to discuss where we go from here. Removing the dressings, while not as nerve wracking as after my bilateral mastectomy, still made me a little nervous. I had been so happy… Continue reading Two Weeks Post Exchange Surgery
My Exchange Surgery – From Tissue Expanders to Implants
I only had a few day’s notice that my exchange surgery was going ahead but I wasn’t at all worried or nervous. At least not about the surgery itself, I was finally getting rid of these uncomfortable tissue expanders and getting my implants. I was both worried and nervous that my surgery would be cancelled… Continue reading My Exchange Surgery – From Tissue Expanders to Implants
What to take to Hospital for Breast Surgery
As I am packing for my third operation in relation to my breast cancer and reconstruction, I thought it would be a great idea to take note of all the things I am taking to hospital to make the experience a bit easier. This list would be just as good for a lumpectomy, mastectomy, exchange… Continue reading What to take to Hospital for Breast Surgery
Preparing for Exchange Surgery
I’ve been considering writing a post about how the craziness of Covid-19 is affecting my breast cancer treatment, but honestly, I am one of the lucky ones who it is not affecting any more than the average person. For me, it’s just affecting how I am preparing for exchange surgery. One of the big concerns… Continue reading Preparing for Exchange Surgery
Travelling with Tissue Expanders after Mastectomy
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, my first thought was how it would affect my travelling. Okay, no, it wasn’t actually my first thought, but it would definitely have been up there in the top ten. Travelling with tissue expanders though did not cross my mind. Travel is my passion. It is also… Continue reading Travelling with Tissue Expanders after Mastectomy
Second and Third Expander Fills
I had planned to give an update after my second expander fill, but the appointment was so quick and I didn’t really get any extra information from my surgeon so it didn’t seem worth it. Instead I am going to summarise both expander fills in this one post. The second fill was done about ten… Continue reading Second and Third Expander Fills
My First Expander Fill
I’ve been looking forward to this for a few weeks now. It’s the start of the next phase of this cancer journey. I’m no longer healing from the last surgery, I am now getting ready for the next one – with my first expander fill. It is now six weeks after my DMX when my… Continue reading My First Expander Fill
Six Weeks Post Mastectomy
I couldn’t decide if I was going to write a six weeks update or wait a few extra days until I had my first fill done and post an update then, or do both – but in the end, I was travelling and working on the day of the six week milestone, so the decision… Continue reading Six Weeks Post Mastectomy
Four Weeks Post Mastectomy
Since my last post I have come along in leaps and bounds, improving every day. I am already four weeks post mastectomy – It has gone really quickly. I finally saw my surgeon again for my follow up appointment. He went through all of my pathology results explaining exactly how lucky I have been. Not… Continue reading Four Weeks Post Mastectomy
Two Weeks Post Mastectomy
If, before my surgery, you had told me that two weeks after my mastectomy I would be pretty much back to my normal life I would have laughed at you. But that is how things are. Warning – If you do not want to see my boobs, or post op pics, this is not the… Continue reading Two Weeks Post Mastectomy
One Week Post Mastectomy
This time last week I was still waiting to make my way to the hospital for my surgery. This week I am relaxing back at home, now in recovery mode, one week after my bilateral mastectomy. Yes, it’s been a pretty full on week – I mean, all major surgery would be. But it’s not… Continue reading One Week Post Mastectomy
My Bilateral Mastectomy with Tissue Expanders
Nine weeks doesn’t seem like a long time, but that’s how long it was for me (by choice) between my breast cancer diagnosis and surgery. Nine weeks also isn’t very long at all when its the last bit of time with your boobs. Right now I am three days post op, and I am feeling… Continue reading My Bilateral Mastectomy with Tissue Expanders
Optimistic, Realistic or Burying my Head in the Sand?
Clearly cancer is a physical ailment – I mean, my cells are mutating and trying to kill me! But so much of the treatment and recovery relies on the way the whole process is dealt with mentally. Being optimistic and positive is essential. But is is realistic? Am I actually burying my head in the… Continue reading Optimistic, Realistic or Burying my Head in the Sand?
My Pre-Surgery Appointment
It’s been six weeks since I last saw my surgeon. Today I had to go back and see him for the last time before my surgery, just eleven days away now. I came to the appointment with my list of questions, all ready for a long discussion that would put me at ease. Click here… Continue reading My Pre-Surgery Appointment
A Few Days Away
Before I found out I had cancer Simon had purchased a travel auction voucher for a few days away in Port Broughton, a beachside town a couple of hours from Adelaide. We have just spent the last few days there and it was so nice. We spent a lot of time fishing. I know, this… Continue reading A Few Days Away
A Second Opinion
After I sat down and talked with my surgeon, I knew exactly how I need to move forward with my treatment. There was only one way in my mind that I could get the results that I want – a life that is cancer-free and worry-free. I committed to it, booked my surgery and was… Continue reading A Second Opinion
What to Say to Someone with Breast Cancer
I just received a message from a Facebook friend. This was someone I hardly know. We have meet a few times in person, and occasionally will comment on each others’ Facebook posts, and I don’t think I have seen him for at least five years. But I was happy to be approached because it shows… Continue reading What to Say to Someone with Breast Cancer
Perpetually Waiting…
Click here to start at the beginning of my story Back in mid-2007 Simon applied for a job within his company that was located in Dubai. It was one of those positions that was advertised world wide and even though he worked for the same company, he had to go through the recruitment process like… Continue reading Perpetually Waiting…
Feeling Lucky
Click here to start at the beginning of my story Ever since hearing those dreaded words “you have breast cancer” it has been all consuming. Barely five minutes goes past without me thinking about it. My way of coping means learning all I can and being as prepared as I can be for all eventualities.… Continue reading Feeling Lucky
A Lot to Give Up
Click here to start at the beginning of my story Giving up my breasts was an easy decision, after all, they are trying to kill me. Actually doing it will be hard, and the recovery will be harder, but they are not the only things I will give up thanks to cancer. Before this I… Continue reading A Lot to Give Up
My Treatment Options
Click here to start at the beginning of my story After getting the results of my lumpectomy, I still had to wait another week before I could see my surgeon again and talk about the next steps in my treatment. As luck would have it, I didn’t have to wait as long as I thought.… Continue reading My Treatment Options
Living with Uncertainty
Click here to start at the beginning of my story I’m a type A person, a bit of a control freak really. I plan how things are going to be and run by a schedule. Let’s just say I don’t like it very much when I don’t know what the future holds. Uncertainty is not… Continue reading Living with Uncertainty
Lumpectomy and Finally the Results
Click here to start at the beginning of my story Heading off to hospital for the lumpectomy was a very new thing. The last time I was in hospital was almost 21 years ago when I gave birth to my youngest daughter. Both my childbirths had been natural with no drugs or other interventions. I… Continue reading Lumpectomy and Finally the Results
That Day this Journey Began
Oh, boy, where to start! There wasn’t really one day that this all began, but rather a series of days. I guess though this all started sometime over the weeks we were travelling in Canada and the US in August/September 2019. Little did I know I was about to undertake a journey of a different… Continue reading That Day this Journey Began