Journeys of Self Care
We have had the pleasure of meeting some extraordinary people since 2013. Many have used our services since we opened our wellness space in 2016 and continue to learn and grown on their journeys.
Below is a selection of people to help inspire others by reading their incredible life lessons and how they have embraced and grown from their Cancer experiences.
LEANNE HUGHES
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Can tell us about your cancer diagnosis
When and what it was, how you knew something wasnt right and how long it took you to get your initial diagnosis?
I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in early 2018, at 31. I'd found a lump in the summer of 2015 and gone to my GP, but was told because of my age and having no family history of breast cancer that it was nothing to worry about and was likely just normal hormonal changes. The lump was tiny at the time, but it was a noticeable difference to me. By the time I was referred to get it looked at, after it had gotten worse, it was shown to be cancer, and although I was asymptomatic at the time, my breast MRI caught a small shadow on my liver which prompted further scans, and we found out a couple of weeks later that it had already spread through my bones and liver.
Have any of your oncologists every said why you may have developed cancer?
And over the course of understanding your body more throughout your journey what factors do you think may have lead to your cancer diagnosis?
No they haven't, the general narrative is they just can't know, and I understand that. But I knew at the time I was diagnosed that I wasn't 'well', even though I just put this down to just being stressed and tired like everyone else. I was living a life that didn't give me space to stop and figure it out either, so I was very much in a cycle of stress, burnout, fix and mend, pick up and start again. I ignored many signs from my body that something wasn't right. But I was very much someone who just 'got on with things' and put my own needs to the back. The more I've learnt about my body and reflected on who I was and how I was living, 'pre cancer' I can definitely see how stress, and holding onto my emotions, has manifested in my physical health.
What made you first started to look at more holistic ways to help you along your path?
What things did you start to change and are you still doing those things now?
I was already on a somewhat holistic path when I was diagnosed, it's a world I've always had one foot in, so it was the natural way for me to look. Between my diagnosis appointment and finally seeing an oncologist was 3 weeks, and I had been told to just go home and carry on as normal, and told there was nothing I could do, which just felt crazy to me. So it was during those weeks that I just started exploring all the things that I could start doing to support myself, and my health, at the very least to prepare for the treatments I was about to have. I remember reading something that said "You can't heal in the soil you got sick in" and it really hit home for me. The first things I started to look at were the basics - my diet, my lifestyle, sleep quality, relationships, what toxins I was letting into my body and mind. These are all the simplest things to start with that we often overlook, but they are also the fundamentals that I still come back to now.
We are all constantly learning, growing and changing. It’s inspiring when people with a life changing illness go on to train in a technique that had a profound effect on their own health and in turn help others.
How long did it take you to discover breathwork and was it an instant help or was it the more you practiced the more you saw the benefit?
I had some breathwork techniques that I used already through my yoga practice that I knew had always been supportive when I was stressed, or anxious, so they were naturally tools I turned to during those early days of my diagnosis if things became overwhelming. But it wasn't until a year or so into my diagnosis that I started to explore breathwork classes, and try different types of breathwork. I started to notice such a difference in my general wellbeing and mood from a regular breathwork practice, even just from 10 or 15 minutes in my mornings. But when I first practiced the breath technique I went on to train in, it instantly felt different and I experienced much deeper shifts. I was really cracked open, and it was the tool I needed to really dig deeper and transform some deep rooted pain, that I didn't even know I was holding onto.
What are your go to practices/lifestyle changes have been the most helpful for you and how has this changed over time ?
There are so many, but the practices and tools that have been the most helpful consistently are breathwork and meditation, movement (usually in the form of yoga), and the changes I have made to the way I eat, incorporating supportive plants and herbs into my everyday life.
All of these things have very much evolved over the years as I've started to become much more intuitive about what my body needs day to day, and what it has been capable of, or not, at different points on this journey. There have been times for example, where yoga, or breathwork even, just wasn't possible because my body was in too much pain, so my practices have had to adapt.
Rather than having a rigid routine or list of things to do, which is how it was at the beginning, all of these things have become a much more natural part of my everyday life over time, and are all about meeting me where I'm at. The biggest practice for me in all of these changes has really been about getting to know myself again, and spending time daily checking in with me. Knowing what I need, what is right for me, and what makes me feel good, and leaving what doesn't.
Are there any books, documentaries or other educational resources that are/were particularly useful to you and that you would recommend to others?
There are so many books I love! Starting with 'Radical Remission', and 'Radical Hope' are where I would always begin to give an instant perspective shift, as is the Heal documentary and network. A favourite book of mine that I have read over and over is 'Anatomy of the Spirit' by Carloyn Myss. Also, 'When the Body Says no', and 'The Body Keeps the Score'. On a practical healing level, The Metabolic Approach to Cancer is a great resource for starting to make health and lifestyle changes and to see a different approach to healing cancer.
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you go back and give yourself to the time when you were diagnosed?
I would tell myself to slow down, and reassure myself I do have time to figure out what I want the next step to be. That this is my journey and I make the decisions on everything. My biggest turning point in the weeks after diagnosis was when I caught myself laughing for the first time, and noticed I'd forgotten I was 'sick' for a minute. In that moment I realised that I didn't actually feel sick at all I was just telling myself I was, so I switched the narrative and instead of asking myself how sick I felt, I started instead thinking about how good I felt, despite my diagnosis. Understanding what cancer really is also helped me to alleviate the fear of it. Down to it being a bunch of my own cells, rather than a monster that has invaded my body, and seeing how easy and inevitable it is that cells in our body will lose their way, or get damaged at some point.
Are there any daily affirmations that you have in that back of your mind that help you?
"I am healing with every breath" is my favourite go-to affirmation. It is something I have been repeating for years now. Not only does it remind me my body is always capable of healing, but it always reminds me to stop and take a deeper breath. It is also a great affirmation for visualising healing happening as your inhale, and letting go as you exhale. Another affirmation or statement that always helped me through hard times is... "whatever happens, i'll handle it".
What have you learnt about life here on earth? Has your experience opened you up to any profound feelings or thoughts? or knowledge?
That the more I learn, the less I know! Experiencing cancer has totally changed my perspective on life and death and everything in between. I have so much appreciation and curiosity, of the world we live in, how nature works, how we work as humans, how everything interacts with each other, and how much we can't even see! The more I explore different philosophies and ancient practices I feel like I'm just pulling at a thread that never ends, there is so much wisdom beyond what we know, and therefore so many possibilities of how we can live, heal, thrive. Through my own spiritual study, I've come to see how we are all just equal parts of a huge tapestry, interwoven with each other and nature, just here in this snapshot of time to experience this life. Life doesn't feel so serious anymore, it feels transient, infinite and full of possibility. The biggest lessons it has taught me is that the most important place to be is here and now, and that love for each other and the world is everything.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey to help inspire others?
That I have had some of the best years of my life since my diagnosis. For the most part I have been the most well and happy I have ever been. There have obviously been some absolute rock bottom moments, and I know there will be more, but having tools to support me through them makes it a lot easier to ride the highs and lows of a diagnosis like this.
HELENA AWUAKYE
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Can tell us about your cancer diagnosis
When and what it was, how you knew something wasnt right and how long it took you to get your initial diagnosis?
I was diagnosed with breast cancer on the 30th July 2021 aged 46. I found a lump in my right breast. to be honest I'm not exactly sure how long it had been there, but I think it was maybe present for 4-6 wks. I had found a lump many years prior, which was checked. I was reassured and told it was nothing and the lump eventually went away. So I thought that this would be the same. However, the lump got bigger and harder. One afternoon I rang my GP surgery. I got a call back that afternoon and a face to face appointment was booked for the following day. At that appointment I was told straight away that I was being referred as a suspected cancer referral. I was told i should have an appointment within two and a half weeks but due to covid it could be three. I was seen after two and a half weeks, I had an examination, mammogram, ultrasound scan and a biopsy. An appointment was scheduled six days after to get the results. At that appointment it was confirmed that it was breast cancer, that it had spread to my lymph nodes. A CT scan picked up and area on my liver which needed further investigation, so I was referred for and MRI. The first MRI was inconclusive, so I needed a second. In the mean time I started chemotherapy and after the first round it was confirmed that it was metastatic breast cancer. It had spread to the liver.
Have any of your oncologists every said why you may have developed cancer?
And over the course of understanding your body more throughout your journey what factors do you think may have lead to your cancer diagnosis?
Personally I think stress from my work may have been a contributing factor. Also some unresolved emotional hurt, and external toxins. Even though thought I was fit and healthy, I don't think my body was getting the right nutrients to function at its optimum. I also thing the covid jab may have affected my immunity, but that's a personal opinion. I didn't react well to the first jab.
What made you first started to look at more holistic ways to help you along side of your conventional treatment?
My sister had been diagnosed with leukaemia in 2011 and so I had been more mindful about looking after myself. I followed a man called Chris Wark on facebook, and he believed in the power of holistic treatment. I wanted to try and help my body as much as I could whilst it was undergoing treatment, which was very unpleasant. When I asked my oncologist if there was anything I could do, he just responded that he just wanted me to get my calories in, he didn't care how.
What things did you start to change and are you still doing those things now?
First I started with doing more juices and smoothies. I had always done these but I wasn't very consistent. Switched to more vegetable juices rather than fruit juices. Worked through a strained relationship with a close family member. Started buying organic fruit and vegetables, and other food products. After Chemotherapy, I changed to a plant based diet. I invested in a reverse osmosis water filter, as well as a shower filter. Worked to reduce and remove plastics which potentially produce Xenoestrogens. Changed my personal body care products and make up to eliminate endocrine disrupting chemicals. Changed my cookware to eliminate non stick posts and pans. Also taking some supplements. I try to practice intermittent fasting, although I do struggle with this.
I am still doing all the above, I now have a Kangen water machine which produces electrolysed reduced water. I have a portable infrared sauna to aid in detoxification and I continue to exercise. I will now eat wild caught fish maybe twice a month if that.
What are your go to practices/lifestyle changes have been the most helpful for you and how has this changed over time?
I always kept very fit, and I feel this helped me immensely during treatment and also helped in my recovery. So I still maintain my fitness, and this helps both physically and mentally. I start my day with a 10 min bounce on my min trampoline, then go on to do cardio or strength training for the day. I think being more aware of what I put into and onto my body has been very important in trying to support my body whilst it has been bombarded with medication. Fueling my body with good nutrients is also key, so getting some fresh vegetable juices into my body. I sometimes find this challenging to do every day. I have now incorporated drinking soursop leaf tea into my routine.
I definitely think these life style changes have allowed my body to tolerate the ongoing treatment that I am having. I have minimal side effects and I'm living a good quality of life. There is evidence of healing in my liver.
Are there any books, documentaries or other educational resources that are/were particularly useful to you and that you would recommend to others?
Chris beat cancer by Chris Wark.
Eat to beat disease by Dr Willaim Li
Crazy sexy diet by Kris Carr
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you go back and give yourself to the time when you were first diagnosed?
My faith has been a major part in helping to cope with the diagnosis. I have to remind myself though that I can't do everything by my own will alone. it is important to slow down and actually appreciate life. I think I was living at a fast pace, but not taking the time to really take it all in.
Are there any daily affirmations that you have in that back of your mind that help you?
I am strong, I am healthy. God is restoring health back into my body. I am healed. I will not die but live to proclaim the glory of God.
What have you learnt about life here on earth? Has your experience opened you up to any profound feelings or thoughts? or knowledge?
I have definitely been forced to slow down, and appreciate even the smallest things that I always took for granted. I see every new day as a blessing, the every day things that I can do, walk, breath, look after myself,ncook, I am blessed to be able to do those things. I value the time I spend with my family and friends, But I refuse to live life trying to cram every thing in. I believe as God truly loves me I have to extend that love to others so I am very mindful of other peoples needs.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey to help inspire others?
Advocate for yourself. Research what you can do to help yourself. The medical profession focuses on fighting disease with medicine only, which can leave you with so many other side effects. But food is also medicine. Take one day at a time. Every positive change is helpful.
SARAH BROOKER
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Can tell us about your cancer diagnosis
When and what it was, how you knew something wasnt right and how long it took you to get your initial diagnosis?
I was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer in September 2017, at 32 years old. I initially dismissed my own symptoms and just put them down to IBS bought on by anxiety, stress and a very busy lifestyle. After a while my symptoms were bad enough for me to visit the GP, who over the course of about a year and many appointments continually dismissed by symptoms and told me I was too young for it to be anything serious. I finally saw a different GP who immediately referred me for a colonoscopy, which ultimately led to my diagnosis…they couldn’t complete the colonoscopy as a tumour was blocking my bowel. Two days after being told I had cancer I had surgery to remove 1/3 of my bowel. After a followup scan 6 weeks later I was told that there was still cancer in lymph nodes that were inoperable and I was offered palliative chemotherapy. I accepted the chemo but I didn’t accept that I would be on it for life.
Have any of your oncologists every said why you may have developed cancer?
And over the course of understanding your body more throughout your journey what factors do you think may have lead to your cancer diagnosis?
I remember both my surgeon and my oncologist saying it was just bad luck (after ruling out genetic risk)! They only offer information based on proven scientific facts so I’m not surprised that they weren’t interested in what potential lifestyle or other factors may have led to my diagnosis at such a young age. I think that it's important to approach answering this question with compassion and without self-blame as I naturally found myself looking back over the years leading to my diagnosis. There was a lot of anxiety, late nights, busy lifestyle etc but ultimately I was very disconnected from my body and pushed aside any symptoms and health concerns until it was too late. A cancer diagnosis can be a profound wake-up call, I wish it hadn’t taken me a diagnosis to prioritise my health, but it's never too late to make positive changes.
What made you first started to look at more holistic ways to help you along side of your conventional treatment?
I had decided almost immediatley that I would need to find my own support system and practices to go alongside chemo treatment. I went to see a healer and nutritionist the day after my scan results and from that day on I focussed on the things that I could control; Diet, lifestyle, emotions, environment etc
My friend also introduced me to Hello Beautiful/Hello Love (thanks Alex), I remember visiting for the first time and instantly feeling hopeful, I heard stories of others who were thriving after similar diagnoses, learnt about new holistic practices, attended wellness sessions like breath work and sound baths.
In the beginning I changed a lot of things in my life quite quickly including my career in fashion. I tried almost every type of holistic therapy available including hyperbaric oxygen plus herbal remedies and supplements, and I started to look into the toxic chemicals in my environment. Over the years I have relaxed my approach and focus on the practices which resonate with me the most, these include; yoga, reflexology, breath work.
We are all constantly learning, growing and changing. It’s inspiring when people with a life changing illness go on to train in a technique that had a profound effect on their own health and in turn help others. How long did it take you to discover Reflexology and was it an instant help or was it the more you practiced the more you saw the benefit?
The first 6 months of my chemo regime was pretty brutal, it was causing systemic damage to my body but particularly to my nerves. I couldn’t look down without shooting pains down my spine and had lost the feeling in my hands and feet. This led me to research into treatments that might help and I came across reflexology, I thought that if it could possibly help with my numb feet then it was worth checking out.
Reflexology enabled me to finally relax, to sleep more soundly and to ultimately regain the feeling I had lost in my feet from months of toxic treatments. My personal experience with reflexology ignited a passion for sharing its deeply transformational benefits with others, to help support others on their own healing journeys. I am constantly amazed by the effectiveness of reflexology, the space it creates for deep rest and calm to regulate the nervous system.
What are your go to practices/lifestyle changes have been the most helpful for you and how has this changed over time?
I change up my practices all the time depending on what is going on in my life. However, I would say that yoga and reflexology have been somewhat of a red thread these last 6 or 7 years providing a consistent source of support and healing since my diagnosis. At the moment as I deal with early on-set peri/menopause symptoms I am learning to switch up my nutrition and exercise again - focusing on strength training rather than cardio etc.
For me it’s about being proactive and flexible with my practises, some days you may feel like pushing yourself harder, while other days you may need to take it easier. Remaining flexible and open to trying new practices as and when needed is key. Also remembering that each person's journey is unique, and what works for one individual may not necessarily work for another.
Are there any books, documentaries or other educational resources that are/were particularly useful to you and that you would recommend to others?
I read a lot of books in the early days and when I was on active treatment. Some I read cover to cover and some I just used sporadically as a resource. The ones I always recommend are ‘radical remission- hope’ by Kelly Turner, ‘The body keeps the score’ by Gabor mate and ‘The metabolic approach to cancer’ by Dr Nasha Winters. I also watched a lot of documentaries and spent many many nights deep diving into medical research papers, clinical trials and searching for positive outcome stories!
Knowing what you know now, what advice would you go back and give yourself to the time when you were first diagnosed?
Slow down and take a breath! I was told ‘I didn’t have time to wait’ and told I had to start chemotherapy immediately, I honestly felt that I would die quickly if I didn’t. It's understandable that you have a sense of urgency to begin treatment. However, it's also important to recognise that taking time to understand your options and make informed decisions is crucial.
I would highlight the importance of advocating for yourself and seeking out information to make decisions that align with your values and preferences. Trusting your intuition and feeling empowered to play an active role in your treatment journey can be empowering and ultimately lead to better outcomes.
Are there any daily affirmations that you have in that back of your mind that help you?
I used to have so many Louise hay affirmations floating around my mind but now I stick to a version of - ‘My body knows how to heal itself’. Believing in my body's natural ability to heal is a profound affirmation that reminds me to trust and have confidence in my body's resilience. It helps to shift the focus from fear or doubt to a mindset of empowerment.
What have you learnt about life here on earth? Has your experience opened you up to any profound feelings or thoughts? or knowledge?
Just that life is so short, I try to stay present and to appreciate the small things. However life is also complex and it can be overwhelming to feel like you must be grateful for everything - there needs to be a balance!
Is there anything else you would like to share about your journey to help inspire others?
My life changed overnight but not all of it was bad, a cancer diagnosis allows you to see things from a different perspective and not to waste time on things that really don’t matter!
I went on a chemo break in April 2019 and am technically still on that break! Other than the CT scans every 6 months and a few long lasting side effects I am just living my life which feels like a massive privilege. I even had a baby in 2021..madness! Sometimes I don’t even believe my own story, it feels wild to me that this is my journey!
My advice would be to take one day at a time and embrace small, positive changes. Focus on what you can control and collect as many hopeful stories as you can!