03/10/2026
If you’ve noticed a quietness here since May, or if you sent a sweet message checking in that I didn’t get back to, thank you so much, and I’m sorry for the silence. Life took a sudden, unexpected detour earlier this year.
Whilst over in the UK in June, I found a lump under my collarbone. That same day I was sent for a scan and was told with certainty by the radiologist that it was going to be cancer, most likely breast.
At this exact same time, I was over there caring for one of the most important people in the world to me, who just four weeks prior, had received their own breast cancer diagnosis. Leaving them, to deal with mine will always be the hardest part.
Within hours I had a meeting with an incredible NZ oncologist and nurse team who fitted me in immediately. I flew back to NZ, had my first round of scans, and started treatment. That whole period feels like a blur. I think I was in a permanent state of dissociation - or maybe too many lorazepam.
I’m now two months into treatment and feeling extremely positive. I am so lucky to have the most incredible support system: my husband became a full-time carer for the first month, friends filled our freezer with meals, and family from overseas carried both of us with daily phone calls and check-ins. I don’t have enough words to thank them.
Navigating all of this meant stepping away from my work for a while to focus on my health and family. While this diagnosis is unfortunately something I will now live with for the rest of my life, modern medicine is truly incredible. Treatments have advanced so much that I don’t need traditional chemotherapy now, my targeted therapy has been working wonderfully. I’m feeling strong and well (weirdly even better than I was before in many ways). Life is moving forward, including legally marrying my favorite person in the garden last week, with the dog and our favourite chicken (formal celebrations to come). I am now feeling ready and excited to get back into work with a booked season ahead.
I have gone back and forth on posting this but it is breast cancer awareness month and if I can get you all to check your b***s today then I’ve done a good job.
Love to you all xx
