Celebrating 17 Years as a Cancer Survivor - the Best Advice I Was Given

I am feeling very emotional as I write this - yesterday was 17 years since my diagnosis of Inflammatory Breast Cancer.
When I look back, I remember how terribly frightened I was, at that time cancer was something that happened to other people - not me surely?
I remember thinking they must have made a mistake, and then as I looked at Paul my husband, I realised that our lives would never be the same. And then the pain of knowing I had to go home, break the news to my sons and reassure them that I would be OK and get through this.
Would I though? I wasn't scared of dying as much as terrified of leaving my beloved boys to live without me.
And then, fast forward through the long and difficult journey of treatment, I expected to feel triumphant when it was over and I was declared 'No Evidence Of Disease' - I had beaten cancer and I was supposed to be happy. All my friends and family thought I was ‘better’ - but I was broken emotionally and physically. How could anyone understand how I was feeling, when I didn’t understand myself?
I felt so alone when all the support drifted away, hospital discharged me, everyone stopped asking how I was because they assumed I was back to ‘normal’ It took me a long time to recover from that - too long - and that’s why I do the work I do now.
I don’t want anyone to feel as abandoned and desolate as I was, and if you are reading this, you know I am here for you.
In this week’s podcast episode, I reflect on the lessons I’ve learned since my cancer diagnosis. From embracing self-love to cultivating an abundance mindset, I share how these shifts transformed my outlook on life, health, and happiness.
I’ll also reveal the advice that changed everything: nurturing yourself like a child in tough times and growing the joyful parts of your life to put challenges in perspective.
Whether you’re navigating your own battle or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that even in the hardest seasons, we can find wisdom, resilience, and joy.
Here are the highlights:
(3:50) Embracing Abundance and New Experiences
(4:54) Advice for Navigating Tough Times
(5:32) Self-Care and Self-Love
(6:42) Connecting with Others and Sharing Experiences
(8:15) Planning for a Bright Future
You can listen on all podcast channels or watch on YouTube - a like, comment or hitting 'subscribe' helps me to reach more people
And if you would like my prompts to remind you of easy ways to improve your self care - just click here- and download them now
Thanks for reading, Gabby x
0 comments
Leave a comment