Rachel's Reflections
Honest insights, practical guidance, and personal perspectives on navigating cancer — from someone who has walked alongside many patients on this journey.
The Power of Perspective: What a Fallen Tree in the Woods Taught Me About Cancer Support
I have walked the same path through the local woods thousands of times. It wasn't the tree that needed to change. It was my lens — and the same is true in cancer care.
Read moreNavigating Life After Cancer
Finishing treatment is rarely the end of the journey. In this extended conversation Rachel explores what "after cancer" really looks like — from the physical and emotional aftermath to rebuilding identity, relationships, and confidence in a changed body.
Navigating Life After Cancer
Rachel draws on her two decades of oncology nursing experience to walk through the topics that clinic appointments rarely cover — survivorship identity, cancer-induced menopause, relationship changes, fear of recurrence, and how to advocate for yourself when the system assumes you are "better now".
- The emotional reality of ending treatment
- Cancer-induced menopause and the body
- Rebuilding confidence and intimacy
- Fear of recurrence and follow-up scans
- Finding your voice with your medical team
More reflections on Facebook
I share thoughts, stories, and updates regularly on the Side by Side Facebook page. Come and join the conversation — it's a warm, supportive space for patients, families, and anyone touched by cancer.
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