I found the lump while I was in the shower in 2018. It was a Sunday morning, the day before I was starting a new job so didn't give it much thought. 

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Fast forward two weeks and I was staring at three shadows on an ultrasound screen with a deep sense that they were not just cysts. 

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In June of 2018, I was diagnosed with Her2 positive breast cancer in my right breast. Hearing the words "I'm sorry you have cancer" is life-changing. It's hard to comprehend when you are diagnosed with cancer how much your life will change.

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I went through 18 months of treatment including a mastectomy, sentinel node clearance, fertility treatment, chemotherapy, radiation, Herceptin, and Perjuta. 

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The end of cancer treatment was a challenging time, I felt lost, lonely and struggled to adjust to 'normal life again. 

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Then 2020 happened. Or more specifically Covid happened! While other Kiwis were contributing to the flour shortage I had an idea to create a series of videos of people talking about how breast cancer had impacted them. The idea evolved into a podcast and officially launched in July 2020. 

 

My goal in starting The C Word Radio is to provide a space where people can authentically share how cancer has impacted them. I want to change the conversation around cancer and empower people to heal physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.  

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Most importantly I want to create a  community where cancery people can connect and find a place to belong. 

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The C Word Radio was a finalist in the New Zealand Radio Awards 2021.