To be clear I’m not glad it happened. It was a full on nightmare that included 4 surgeries, 6 months of chemotherapy, a year of herceptin and 5 years of hormone therapy. And I went into early menopause aged 39. Not exactly fun.
Back to the topic at hand.
I believe our challenges are often sign posts, leading us in the right direction
Up until my diagnosis, my life was kind of on auto pilot. I was following my nose. Just fine thanks!
I left school at 17, got an entry role in in advertising and over the next 20 odd years, worked my way up to Chief Digital Officer (of an Australian media agency). Meanwhile I checked many other boxes - I bought an apartment, then a house, a convertible European car, oh and did I mention extensive travel and high end fashion?
Life was good.
At least it looked that way from the outside
But like many of you reading this, I was coasting, not tuned in to my true desires and hiding my pain on the inside. I used all manor of excesses to soothe me. Champers anyone?
Being diagnosed with breast cancer was a huge awakening.
It led me to reconnecting with myself, reprioritising, getting real + honest and ultimately growing a bucketload. In the almost 10 years since I have:
Spent 5 years living in NYC & travelled even more extensively (it lights me up!)
Competed in two half ironman races & run the NYC marathon
Studied health and leadership coaching
Qualified as a yoga & mindfulness teacher
Let got of my passion for “things” & reprioritised experiences
Departed my corporate career to launch my own business in coaching & wellbeing consulting
Made personal growth and happiness my business!
When you’re first diagnosed, it’s impossible to predict any sort of silver lining. It’s much more important to focus on making the best of each day. In doing so, along the way, you will even see glimpses of happiness. Even little gifts.
Love, support and ultimately time
It was the time that turned out to actually be a big gift to me. It started a process of self discovery, that has led me to so much more clarity, self love and joy.
I know it’s hard to escape the fear and frustration, in the thick of treatment. Truthfully however, you will grow enormously and that growth is precious.
If you happen to have a similar run in, here's what I recommend. Which on reflection, we can all take something from:
Accept it - yep it’s awful and yep you just have to get through it
Practice daily gratitude for the good things, no matter how small
Focus on each day, be present and look for opportunities to experience positivity - a smile, a laugh or feeling of connection/love
Reconnect with yourself and what’s really important to you - I asked myself what would be important NOW if I only had a few years to live (sounds morbid but it’s true & was powerful)
Remember that everything passes, the good and the bad and so will this
