It all started with a cup of tea...
For me, it started with a routine mammogram and a cup of tea I never expected.
A follow-up appointment. A biopsy. The kind concerned faces of the nurses. And then, the words that changed everything.
A cancer diagnosis brings a tidal wave of uncertainty, and no matter how much information is out there, nothing fully prepares you. Now, looking back, there are so many things I wish I had known at the start of my journey.
If you’re navigating this path—either personally or supporting someone who is—here are a few lessons I learned the hard way.
1. Take Someone With You—Always
You may think it’s “just a check-up” or a “quick appointment.” Take someone anyway. Your brain won’t catch everything that’s said, and having a second pair of ears (and a calm, rational presence) makes a world of difference.
2. The Information Overload Is Real
From the moment you’re diagnosed, you’re handed a rainforest’s worth of leaflets and an internet full of conflicting advice. My advice? Take it one step at a time.
- Dr Google is NOT your friend. Medical horror stories do nothing for your mental health.
- Ask your medical team the important questions—what applies to you, not a generic statistic.
- Don’t try to learn it all in one go. You’ll soon be fluent in “oncology speak” (tumour grade, margins, lymph nodes), but don’t rush it.
3. Cancer Comes With More Admin Than a Tax Return
I thought the scariest part of cancer would be, well, cancer. But no—it’s the paperwork.
Appointments, test results, treatment plans – your life becomes a whirlwind of hospital visits, phone calls, and scheduling chaos.
I started off organised, with a nice neat folder. Six months in? A filing system disaster and a firm belief that my hospital’s postcode was permanently burned into my satnav.
4. You’ll Need to Clear Your Diary
Cancer treatment is practically a full-time job. Expect:
✔ Long waiting times for appointments and result
✔ Hours in hospital chairs waiting for treatments
✔ Surgery, recovery, follow-ups – all of which take more time and energy than you expect
5. Accept All the Help You’re Offered
Whether it’s meals, lifts, childcare, or just someone to sit with you—take it. My sister-in-law renamed herself my “Uber Boober Driver” and became my unofficial chauffeur.
On the days when even making a cup of tea felt impossible, her support made all the difference.
6. Treatment Has Some Unexpected Twists
- Yes, you will get a tattoo. Tiny dots for radiotherapy alignment. Unexpected, but at least I can say I have ink now.
- Radiotherapy isn’t painful, but lying on that rock-hard table is. (Silver lining: the hospital parking was free!)
- Oestrogen blockers (like Tamoxifen or Letrozole) can be tough. If you’re struggling, talk to your oncologist—there are different options.
7. The Oncotype DX Test Can Change Everything
One test completely changed my treatment plan. The Oncotype DX test (which I had to pay for) analysed my tumour’s genetic profile to predict whether chemotherapy would actually help me.
The result? Chemo wouldn’t have been beneficial for me. That test saved me months of unnecessary treatment. If you’re eligible, ask your doctor about it—it could make a huge difference.
8. You’ll Look ‘Well’ Before You Feel It
Once treatment ends, people will say: “You look great!” or “You must be so relieved it’s over!”
What they don’t realise is:
💭 You don’t feel like your old self.
💭 Your energy, confidence, and identity shift.
💭 The mental and emotional recovery is just beginning.
This is why support groups are invaluable. Find your tribe—other women who “get it.” Their understanding, humour, and solidarity will carry you through the toughest moments.
9. It Will Change You—In Ways You Don’t Expect
You don’t come out of cancer exactly the same. It’s not just about surviving—it’s about redefining life after.
You gain a new perspective. You start filtering out negativity. You focus on what truly matters—and let go of what doesn’t.
For me? Life is too short for:
🚫 Bad tea
🚫 Uncomfortable bras
🚫 Unnecessary stress
And weirdly, that’s one of the greatest lessons I took away from all of this.
Final Thought: If You’re on This Journey, You Are Not Alone
If you’re reading this because you (or someone you love) is going through it—know this:
You are stronger than you think.
It’s okay to feel everything—the fear, the anger, the exhaustion.
And you are never, ever alone.
Also, if someone unexpectedly offers you a cup of tea at a hospital—brace yourself.
Let’s Talk…
🎗️ If you’ve been through breast cancer, what’s one thing you wish you had known at the start? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your experiences.
💡 Want support in rebuilding your confidence and mindset after cancer?
I help women reclaim their power through 1:1 coaching and hypnotherapy.
📩 DM me or visit freedomevolution.uk to learn more.
