At the end of 2023, I was diagnosed with breast cancer after a routine mammogram. The following months were a blur of appointments, surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. A year later, I am just starting to feel like recovery is in sight. I'm currently on daily hormone treatment and receive six-monthly infusions for my bones, though active treatment has now stopped.
I received the all-clear in my last mammogram at the end of 2024, but that doesn't mean I'm dancing in the air!
Even minor procedures create a spike in my anxiety. I struggle to trust my body, which manifests as anxiety whenever I'm away from home. I no longer find pleasure in outings, walks, or holidays; my brain shuts down when it comes to those activities. I believe this stems from the effects of chemotherapy on my digestive system.
Recently, I realised how much my body was still suffering from deep fatigue and heaviness in my limbs, making walking feel like wading through treacle. Random aches and pains would come on, mainly in my legs and feet.
I had navigated menopause reasonably well, experiencing only a few extra migraines, mild hot flashes, and the occasional weepy moment. However, I was thrust headfirst into "menopause mark two." The intensity of the hot flashes was exacerbated by the constant reminder that "they won't get better." I managed to reduce them slightly by being prescribed medication for my blood pressure, which had the side effect of alleviating the flushes. Thankfully, my stubbornly high blood pressure has finally improved.
While I won’t delve into the continuing womanly issues I'm facing, I want to emphasise that my mental health is an ongoing battle. Losing estrogen has worsened my ADHD, all while I need to manage without estrogen since my cancer was hormone-sensitive.
I feel that the aftereffects of cancer and its treatment are not discussed enough. In fact, I rarely hear conversations about how men feel physically and emotionally after cancer, and that definitely needs to change.
Driven by my passion for creating within the neurodivergent community, I decided to expand my focus to include cancer survivors and the mental wellness community, as I know these experiences can overlap for many individuals—not just myself.
I will be working on a new line of room sprays, wax melts, and pillow sprays that will be suitable for all three groups of people.
Love to you all xx
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