Princess Kate’s recent video message about her cancer journey, where she stated that her path to healing and full recovery is long and she must continue to take each day as it comes, resonated deeply with me. While my own cancer journey began four years ago, the fear and unpredictability she speaks of remain familiar.
I finished my chemotherapy in August 2020 and vividly recall the feeling of immense gratitude for being alive as I stepped out into the sunlight. However, even then, I knew the journey was far from over. The experience had stripped me of my hair, fingernails, and most importantly, my carefree spirit.
Diagnosed with grade-three triple negative breast cancer at 41, in the midst of the first Covid lockdown, the following months were a blur of grueling chemotherapy and a pandemic that added a whole new layer of complexity. The treatment, a combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin, stretched over four months, transforming what should have been a summer of joy into a period of intense physical and emotional hardship.
Reading Kate’s words and watching her video brought a wave of relief and happiness. Moments like those are precious and worth savoring. Yet, I understand her acknowledgment that there is still a long way to go. For me, the journey continued with surgery, followed by two weeks of intense daily radiotherapy.
People often describe the cancer journey as a rollercoaster, but that metaphor doesn’t fully capture its complexity. There’s no such thing as an ‘all-clear’ once the treatment ends. The experience leaves an indelible mark, shaping who you are and how you view life. Kate’s deliberate choice not to use words like ‘putting it all behind you’ is significant, reminding everyone that the journey is far from over.
While Kate may return to some of her public duties, she must not expect to simply ‘bounce back’ to her old life. This is a crucial point that everyone should remember, especially when supporting loved ones who have experienced cancer. They may appear to be back to their old selves, but the reality is often very different.
I too want everyone going through cancer to recognize this and be kind to themselves. Don’t succumb to the pressure of automatically being the person you were before. Friends and family might see me laughing and joking, back to being a busy mom, a working journalist, a gym enthusiast, and a netball player, and think ‘Esther is back to her old self.’ But the truth is, the fatigue lingered for months, even years, and at times, still cripples me. Four years later, while the fear has diminished somewhat, it never truly leaves you.
Kate’s words about coming face to face with your own vulnerabilities resonate deeply. It’s incredibly helpful to hear a high-profile figure voice those fears that many of us experience. Her vulnerability is a powerful message, reminding us that cancer is far more than a rollercoaster and there is no definitive end.
The only way forward, as Kate aptly puts it, is to take each day as it comes. We must treat those who have emerged from treatment with kindness, compassion, and patience. It’s only when you’ve stared mortality in the face that you truly appreciate the fragility and preciousness of life.
