For many women, the journey begins with a moment of noticing something different - a lump, a change in texture, or perhaps nothing noticeable at all, only for a routine check to bring unexpected news. From that moment, life feels suspended. The waiting begins: waiting for tests, waiting for results, waiting for clarity. It is a time filled with questions that few dare to voice aloud - Is it cancer? If it is, what will happen to me? How will my family cope?

Karen Kruger is one of those women - a mother of three, coach, and breast cancer survivor who shares not only her story of survival, but also her wisdom on navigating the emotional and physical upheaval that comes with a cancer diagnosis.

Karen knows this waiting well. First diagnosed with breast cancer in December 2021, what doctors initially thought was stage 1 later revealed itself as stage 3. In a matter of weeks, her life turned upside down. The days of waiting in uncertainty, she recalls, were some of the hardest. It wasn’t just the unknown - it was the silence between appointments, the powerlessness, and the way fear can creep into every corner of your mind.

A cancer diagnosis affects far more than the body. It touches every layer of being- your mind, your emotions, your relationships, even your sense of identity. Suddenly, life’s certainty is gone, and you are faced with your mortality in ways you may never have imagined.

So how can you support yourself during this waiting period, when the medical plan has not yet been made and your body feels like it belongs to the unknown? Here are a few compassionate practices:

Nutrition as nourishment – Focus on gentle, balanced meals that support energy and calm. Eating regularly, staying hydrated, and avoiding extremes can provide your body with a sense of steadiness in uncertain times.

Movement with kindness – Whether it’s walking in nature, gentle yoga, or simple stretches, moving your body in ways that feel good can release tension and remind you that you are alive, present, and capable.

Rest and renewal – Sleep may feel elusive, but allowing yourself to rest—even short naps or quiet pauses—can help restore your nervous system. Giving yourself permission to slow down is an act of self-compassion.

Nurturing practices – Journaling, meditation, or even moments of mindful breathing can bring you back to the present moment. Lighting a candle, listening to music, or enjoying a warm bath are simple ways to soothe your spirit.

Here are some affirmations you might gently repeat during this time:

I am safe in this moment, even if I don’t have all the answers yet.
My body is doing the best it can, and I choose to support it with love.
I allow myself to rest, to receive, and to be cared for.
I am not defined by fear—I am guided by hope and courage.
One step, one breath, one day at a time is enough.

Connection and community – Reaching out to trusted friends, family, or support services can ease the burden of carrying everything alone. Sometimes just having someone to listen is enough. For more information contact Breast Cancer - Cancer Ireland

Karen speaks with deep gratitude about the support she received from Purple House Cancer Support Centre in Wicklow, where she found comfort, connection, and reassurance that she was not alone. It was this web of support—family, friends and community that carried her through the darkest days.

Now, four years on, Karen has transformed her experience into a beacon of hope for others. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, she now supports women navigating life after cancer, particularly the unique challenges of menopause following treatment. Through her coaching, workshops, and Ireland’s first dedicated podcast for women with a cancer diagnosis who are experiencing menopause, Karen continues to inspire resilience, healing, and empowerment.

Her story is one of courage, vulnerability, and purpose. It reminds us that while cancer changes everything, it can also awaken a new way of living - one day at a time. You can listen to our conversation on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

To anyone waiting for answers or walking this path: your feelings are valid. You do not have to be strong every moment. Be gentle with yourself, seek support where you can, and remember - you are not alone.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

This week on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast I had the absolute joy of speaking with the remarkable Sile Walsh - a woman whose journey from childhood challenges to powerful leadership is both inspiring and deeply affirming of the human spirit.

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As a curious and bright 11-year-old with dyslexia, Sile didn't learn the way traditional education expected her to. Rather than being discouraged, she found a different path, one that led her into a kitchen, a very different kind of classroom. There, surrounded by the clatter of pots and the rhythm of a team in motion, Sile began to learn in a way that made sense to her. By the age of 16, she was already leading a section of that kitchen, showing not only resilience but a natural ability to lead, to adapt, and to grow.

That early environment - though unconventional, nurtured her. It allowed her to thrive in ways that traditional systems hadn’t. And it reminds us of something so vital: our ability to thrive depends not just on our willpower or talents, but on the environments we are placed in.

When we are seen, valued, and supported, we grow. When our strengths are nurtured instead of suppressed, our true potential shines.

Sile’s journey led her to specialise in leadership, development, coaching, and psychology. Today, she is an award-winning international best-selling author, with her most recent book Inclusive Leadership: Navigating Organisational Complexity becoming both an Amazon and Irish Times bestseller. Her passion lies in co-creating inclusive, high-performing workplaces where people don't just survive - they thrive.

Her voice in the diversity and inclusion space is not only knowledgeable but lived. She understands, deeply, that leadership is not about control but about creating environments where others can flourish. Where different ways of thinking, learning, and being are not only accepted but celebrated.

In listening to Sile speak, I was reminded again that the spaces we move through, whether in childhood, in workplaces, or in our communities - have the power to either stifle or support our growth. When we are part of environments rooted in understanding, compassion, and inclusivity, we begin to blossom into who we were always meant to be.

May we all be inspired, as I was, by Sile’s story, to reflect on the spaces we create for ourselves and for others. Are they nourishing? Are they safe? Do they encourage authenticity and potential? Because in the end, it’s not just about being in the right place - it’s about being in a place that’s right for you.

And that, I believe, is where true leadership begins.

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Author, Speaker, Wellness Coach & Podcast Host