Carly’s story
A breast cancer diagnosis at 37 years old took so much from me. Diagnosed with aggressive triple-negative breast cancer due to carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation, I underwent gruelling chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiotherapy, and a double mastectomy with reconstruction using my own tummy tissue. I also had a preventative ovary removal, thrusting me into surgical menopause before I even turned 40.
It took my hair, my breasts, my energy, my fertility, my thyroid function (leaving me with an under-active thyroid). And it took the person I was before—replacing her with someone who thought about cancer a lot.
But cancer also gave me so many lessons. I have learned so much about myself, about my inner strength. I now hold a deep compassion for myself and my body.
I have learned to love who I am and to embrace the simple things in life with so much passion. I have prioritised playing more, and pausing more, and turning my pain into purpose. Helping others to keep hope in their hearts has become part of who I am. And I have connected with the most beautiful community of souls. People I cannot imagine my life without. Connections that have shaped who I am and how I show up in life.
Cancer took a lot, but it gave me a lot too. And I will be forever grateful for every new day, for every precious memory I get to make with my loved ones for the rest of my life knowing how fragile life can be and how things can change in an instant.
I can never be the person I was before my diagnosis again. And that’s okay. Along the way, I have discovered an inner strength that I know will see me through even the toughest days ahead.
And I have learned to truly love the person I am today. Saying yes to adventure and treasuring every precious present moment as the pure gems that they are. Find out more about my story on my Instagram account.
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