Life after breast cancer: why connection matters more than ever
When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016, my world was turned upside down. Between surgery, chemotherapy, and countless hospital appointments, it was easy to feel lost in fear and uncertainty. What made it even harder was the loneliness. I didn’t know anyone who had walked this path before me.
What I needed most was hope. Someone to say, “You’ll be okay.” But instead, I was trapped in my own thoughts, that critical inner voice whispering that somehow this diagnosis was my fault, that I had failed, that I was now even more imperfect.
One day, I decided to silence that voice and reach out. I posted in my local community Facebook group, asking if anyone who had been diagnosed with breast cancer would be willing to share their experience. It felt like an enormous risk, exposing such a personal part of my life to strangers. But to my surprise, three women responded.
One of them, Annette, turned up at my door the next day. I didn’t know her from a bar of soap. She simply hugged me and said, “You’ll be okay.” Her warmth and compassion broke through the fear I had been holding inside. I cried, not from sadness, but from relief. For the first time, I felt supported and understood.
That simple moment changed the course of my recovery. It reminded me that healing in isolation is not healing at all. We need connection, people who understand, who can sit with us in our uncertainty, and who remind us that we are not alone.
Community healing gave me three invaluable gifts:
- Belonging. Hearing from women with similar experiences reduced my anxiety and gave me confidence about what lay ahead.
- Normality. Coffee catch-ups and shared laughter reminded me that life could still hold moments of joy beyond treatment.
- Hope. Seeing others thrive after cancer showed me that recovery was not just possible, it was within reach.
That is why I am passionate about creating spaces for connection and shared healing.
I’m partnering with Queenstown Natural Health to host a special evening this month:
From Burnout to Balance: Three Practices That Changed My Life After Breast Cancer
Thursday, 31 October, 5.30pm - Queenstown Natural Health
This will not just be another talk. It’s a chance to connect with others who “get it,” to share space with people who understand the challenges, and to leave with practical tools you can use right away.
As a gift, everyone who attends will also receive a free 30-minute one-to-one chat with me to design your own recovery blueprint and take confident next steps in your healing journey. Partial proceeds from the event will go directly to Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, so by attending, you’re investing in your wellbeing and supporting others too.
If you are longing for connection, encouragement, and hope, I’d love to see you there. Come along, bring a friend, and be reminded that you don’t have to walk this path alone.
Tickets are available now through Humanitix:
events.humanitix.com/from-burnout-to-balance-three-practices-that-changed-my-life-after-breast-cancer
