We all grow up with the hope of finding that special person - the one we can spend our days with, the one who “gets” us. Someone whose presence feels like home, where even the silences are filled with love and comfort.

My guest this week, Tony Stewart, shared the most moving story of his life with his beloved wife, Lynn. Their love story was not about grand gestures or big declarations - it was about the quiet, steady companionship they shared as they moved through life’s adventures together.

And then, as life often reminds us, everything changed.

When Lynn received her cancer diagnosis, Tony told me how they sat across from each other, holding hands across the table, and began to say out loud all the words of love they had carried inside them for years. Words that had always been there but had never felt urgent to speak.

It struck me deeply - how often we assume that our loved ones “just know” how we feel. And yet, when we speak those words aloud, they become anchors. They become something to hold onto, especially when time becomes fragile.

Tony expressed his love to Lynn not just through his actions, but through heartfelt words that she needed to hear. And Lynn gave him words in return - words that Tony now carries with him, memories that continue to guide him through his grief and into a new chapter of life.

Tony’s book, Carrying the Tiger, is a testament to this love story - not just about the joy of their life together, but the raw, honest reality of losing someone so deeply woven into your being. It is also about the strength it takes to continue living, to keep moving forward while carrying both the pain and the beauty of that love.

This conversation reminded me - and I hope it reminds you - to say the words that are in your heart today. To tell the people you love what they mean to you, not just in moments of crisis, but in the quiet, ordinary moments too.

You can listen to my full conversation with Tony on The Sharon Fitzmaurice Podcast

I promise, it will touch your heart and maybe inspire you to pick up the phone, send a message, or simply look into the eyes of someone you love and tell them.

Because love - spoken aloud - truly matters. ❤️

Sharon Fitzmaurice

Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host

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