The Boob Chronicles - my breast cancer Journey

Let me catch you up...

About eight weeks ago, life handed me a plot twist. Not the fun kind where you win a holiday or discover a long‑lost relative who’s secretly royalty. No, mine came in the form of a lump in my right breast. Not exactly the surprise anyone hopes for, but here we are.

At first, I kept things close. Just my husband and our three daughters — the inner circle. Then I let my sister‑in‑law and brother in on it too, mostly because family news tends to travel faster than a rumour in a small town, and I figured it was better coming from me than from someone who “heard it from someone who heard it from someone.”

Once I’d been to the first appointment, I realised I’d need to tell work. I had a feeling this journey was going to involve a few extra appointments, and disappearing at random intervals tends to raise eyebrows. Better to be upfront.

For a moment and only a very brief one, I thought about keeping the whole thing on the down low and on a needs to know basis. You know, low‑key, under the radar. But then I thought… why? That’s not who I am, and it’s not what I believe. If people know, they know and I am completely okay with that.

Because here’s the thing, for me, a breast cancer diagnosis shouldn’t be treated like a scandal or a secret. It shouldn’t come with whispers or dramatic pauses. I honestly believe it should be as easy to talk about as saying, “I’ve hurt my ankle and need some scans.” No doom. No gloom. No catastrophising. Just a conversation, human, honest, and comfortable.

This is simply a journey I’m on. One step at a time, with the people I love, a bit of humour, and a whole lot of kick arse and heart.

So I’m going to Blog about it!

Every time I shared the diagnosis, the reactions were almost identical — like everyone had secretly attended the same “How to Respond to Unexpected News” workshop. First came the wide‑eyed “Oh my god, I wasn’t expecting that!” Then the classic “That’s awful, I’m so sorry.” And of course, the crowd favourite: “Well… that’s shit.”

And there I was, doing my now‑well‑practised routine: “It’s okay, I’m okay. No need to be sorry. It is what it is. There’s a solid plan. We’re good.” Cue everyone visibly unclenching.

Because honestly, no one really knows what to say when you drop “Oh, by the way, I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer.”

It’s not exactly small talk. It’s not even medium talk. It’s more like, “Surprise! Here’s a plot twist.” And I get it, I used to be the same. I’d freeze, mentally scroll through every possible response, and land on something deeply unhelpful like, “Oh… wow… um… well that’s shit”

But now I realise something important, if I show I’m okay with it, that gives them...you, permission to be okay with it too. It sets the tone, I believe it lets gorgeous fresh air back into the room.

It isn’t what happens to us but how we respond that is important! There is so much power in that and THAT is where the power is!! It is from this that the "Boob Chronicles" came to be.

I can’t control what’s happening physically, but I can control the narrative. I can choose the tone, I can choose the energy; and I can absolutely be front‑row, centre‑stage in rolling out THE PLAN - capital letters, because why not? It deserves a bit of dramatic flair!

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