EMERGING WOMEN

I have been inspired and supported by so many women as I have navigated post-cancer life and begun to build the Émerje brand - many have their own stories and perspectives on navigating change and emerging postively into new phases of life. I truly believe we can learn so much from hearing about eachother's stories.

Sarah Mac - model, mum to three year old Ronnie, creative director. level 3 BSL - emerging from breast cancer treatment.

[CLICK PHOTO THRU TO NARRATIVE]

13 months on from giving birth to my son Ronnie, I was beginning to emerge from a phase of life which anthropologists call 'Matrescence' (a term used to describe the physical, psychological, emotional, and social transition that a person goes through when becoming a mother). My hormones were on a roller coaster and I felt in a state of constant flux and exhaustion. Out of the blue I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was given two weeks to stop feeding and to prepare for surgery to have both of my breasts removed.

The initial shock of the diagnosis was followed by a period of physical recovery juxtaposed with a newly walking, talking toddler. I presumed life would return to normal. I was one of the lucky ones - the doctors told me "we have caught it early!". I began to realise, that the real recovery was the phase that would come next - a period of rebuilding, getting to know the new me and emerging. I think only those who have been through it or stood by it can really understand.

I am still emerging - it is a process and a constant shadow - sometimes light and sometimes dark.

My reflection on this period of emerging would be that it takes time, lots of self-compassion and empathy from friends and loved ones. As I have been coming to terms with managing all the symptoms which you are left with after treatment for breast cancer, it is the simple things in life that have been important and that I have used to nurture myself - time with girlfriends, a small holiday, finding clothes that are truly comfortable and make me feel good in myself, putting on some essential oil and lipstick – things that help me feel held and secure whilst I get to know my new body and learn to feel confident in it again.