One Piece of Advice

01/05/2025

Sharing a nice story. Different cancer, different treatment, but all the same feels...

05/03/2025

The Australian Institute of Health and Wellbeing report (June 2023) highlighted the "lack of awareness of lymphoedema among medical practitioners leading to the under-diagnosis of the condition."

Find out more at on Lymphoedema Association Australia page https://www.lymphaustralia.org.au/

10/02/2025

🥰

06/02/2025

**Trigger warning: this discusses the new TV show about Belle Gibson**

I am writing this minutes after watching episode 1 of Apple Cider Vinegar. I planned on watching it, then writing some reflections about this case that was so confronting almost 10 years ago.

My thoughts after watching this don’t warrant a whole article, just three key points.

1) If you’re a cancer survivor – which includes those of you going through treatment right now – don’t watch this. It’s still confronting and really, there are no new lessons to be learned here.

2) I don’t know how Belle’s character representation will play out over the series, but please don’t let any allusions to mental health make you view her choices as more understandable – this will only further increase stigma around mental illness.

3) I was angry when I wrote about this in 2015, and I’m still pretty mad. But we mustn’t forget that accountability extends beyond Belle and ‘Milla’ (aka Jess) to those who profited from them then, and continue to profit through exploitation.

If you’re interested in my original News.com.au article on Belle, you can read it here. And yes, I still have cluttered bookshelves 😉

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/i-know-people-will-be-shocked-by-belle-gibsons-story-but-im-angry/news-story/76687c4cfd7e621427a12c1d8a52a8dd

17/11/2024

Wouldn’t it be nice if the compression garment companies had Black Friday deals too….

28/09/2024

Dame Maggie Smith had breast cancer at 74 and sadly passed away yesterday aged 89.

She filmed Harry Potter while undergoing treatment - not to put on a brave face and set unrealistic standards, but to make sure she didn’t disappoint little children everywhere.

Now that was one helluva survivor!

04/09/2024

Here we go again with celebrities and misinformation. B**b in a Box will tell you that I had steam blowing out of my ears when I heard Elle McPherson on the radio saying that cancer was "an amazing catalyst for rebirth'. I had forgotten about (mentally blocked?) the 'cancer-is-a-gift' lot.

Here is me, once again, pleading with you to not follow your 'intuitive, heart-led, holisitic approach' rather than your medical team. Yes, there will be decisions for you to make along the way, but these are to help you get through treatment, not to ignore the evidence-base for something else that is, frankly, a lot more palatable, like the good old juice diet.

I'm not going to write the whole shebang here, because an actual doctor has, but please, don't look to the 'wellness' folk for guidance. There are lots of us survivors out here who are living our lives because we were treated properly.

Many media reports based on the supermodel’s interview with the Australian Women’s Weekly lack detail about the cancer and risk misinforming people

31/08/2024

Nooooooooo!!

Sleeves in the freezer peeps!

13/07/2024

I'll be attending and have submitted a question around access to lymphoedema services. Anyone want to join me?

An information evening for women living with pain. Hosted by Dr. Marjorie O'Neill MP and an expert panel of Australian experts in women's health from The Royal Hospital for Women.

22/06/2024

*one to share with your supporters*

‘Inspiring’ strikes again! I’ve been thinking about a conversation I had recently, where a really lovely person was telling me about how inspiring she finds a cancer patient she knows, ‘because she never complains and always has a smile on her face’.

This was heartfelt, genuine and meant in the best way possible, but it didn’t sit comfortably for me. Having been through so much treatment, I know that it’s not at all possible to always be smiling; no one who’s been through cancer can possibly have nothing to complain about. My first thought was how hard it must be for this patient to have to put on a brave face all the time, particularly hard in front of someone who really does have her best interests at heart.

Luckily, I was able to talk to this person openly and it was well received, but we don’t always have the opportunity to give others our perspectives. So, I thought I’d write a shareable post.
‘Inspiring’ is okay when used appropriately. We’re not inspiring just because we have cancer, just because we’re turning up for treatment, or just because we smile and say we’re fine when we may not be. If you want to acknowledge our smile, perhaps say something like ‘You’re always smiling and that’s great, but I know things must be tough. Please don’t feel like you have to put on a brave face for me. I’m here for you, however you feel."

Let’s create safe spaces for cancer survivors to be able to be themselves – on good days and bad.

Image courtesy of BRiC Centre - Building Resilience in Breast Cancer Centre

03/05/2024

Yesterday I turned 50. I wish I could have told my 37 year-old self that this milestone would happen for me.

I am reflecting and remembering those who didn’t get to turn 50, and I am spreading the word that ageing is a privilege. As a cancer survivor and as a woman, I am choosing to reject the societal messages about ageing and I will strive to be ‘fifty and fabulous’ whenever possible!!

23/04/2024

This is another post for anyone who’s been told to ‘stay positive’ while they’re going through treatment. I can’t think of any other example of where this would be said to someone experiencing trauma. ‘Be kind to yourself’ sounds far more appropriate to me.