The Peace Pod - Reiki & Reflexology

Day one 💛🌞

I’m starting a diary with myself (and you guys) to check in once a week with myself & to share my journey. Hopefully it will help someone somewhere, someday.

So today marks the ‘start’ today is the first day in hospital. However my journey to here started back in 2023 when I was told I had a mutation of the BRCA1 gene 🧬 (always knew I was special 😉)

This means the gene that’s primary function is to mend double-strand breaks in DNA, ensuring genomic stability, instead has inherited mutations that impair this repair system, significantly increasing the lifetime risk for breast and ovarian cancers. (Yes I 100% got this from google because hey… I don’t quite understand myself) BUT basically it means 👇🏻

My changes of getting breast cancer therefore were something like 85% when the average person has a 12% chance of getting this cancer in their life time. Of course this meant, at SOME point I needed a double mastectomy and possible hysterectomy. I was under a consultant right away and had regular MRI scans.

How did I find this out I had the gene?
My auntie had ovarian cancer and was diagnosed in 2023, and therefore my sister (being super clever) knew we were eligible for the genetic test. We were both tested for the gene as it was suspected my auntie had it also. However it turned out my auntie wasn’t a carrier, so it was soooo lucky that we were tested and I was grateful I knew I was a carrier as this gave me clarity, control and I was monitored closely.
I have to thank Izzy for this as she potentially has saved my life.

So did you know, if your close relatives, usually siblings, parents have had ovarian cancer/ breast cancer that you can be tested for the gene?
Knowing you have it is a superpower, it puts you in the driving seat to navigate your future. How did I end up missing the signs and getting breast cancer anyway? I’ll share this story on my next post and explain what I found, what it felt and looked like too so you know exactly what to look out for.

Worldwide, an estimated 2.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. Let’s create more awareness on what’s to look out for and strive for early diagnosis.

No more treatments from me for now … here is why 👇🏻

Little update from me.
So it’s been a bit of an odd few weeks…

I wanted to share a personal update with you all. I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and at the end of this month I will be starting chemotherapy.
My treatment will be weekly until the end of December, followed by surgery and radiotherapy.

Because of this, I have made the difficult decision to step away from work for the foreseeable future. My focus now needs to be on my treatment, recovery, and giving myself the time and care I need to heal.

I’m staying positive, and I’m hopeful that by this time next year I’ll be feeling like myself again and ready to come back to work.

Although I won’t be working, I will be sharing my journey here over the coming months, so we can stay connected. I hope you’ll follow along as I navigate this chapter with honesty, strength, and hopefully a few smiles along the way.

Thank you for all your love and support—it truly means more than you know. ❤️