Tilly

Hi, I'm Tilly. I’m 29 years old and originally from Essex, England. Some would say I am the typical ‘Brit abroad’, living up to the stereotype and living my best beach life in Bondi, Sydney with my wonderful boyfriend. I first came to Australia in 2016 and spent a year travelling the east coast with three friends from home. I loved the country so much I decided to stay, and completed farm work in Bundaberg, QLD to secure a second visa.

I’m one of four sisters and my oldest sister had her first baby back home in the UK in 2017, so this took me home to England for three years of lots of baby cuddles and family time before I decided to return to Australia in January 2020.

I found a lump in my breast in mid-2021 and after monitoring this for a few weeks, I went to the doctors. I had an ultrasound and was told the lump wasn’t anything to worry about, so I went on my way.

Over the next couple of years, I took it upon myself to return to the doctors for the lump to be re-checked on multiple occasions. It was 2023 when I started to notice a change in my armpit and breast - a dull ache in the hollow of my armpit and around the breast area, which I again monitored for a short while but deep down I knew that something wasn't right.

In November 2023 at the age of 28 I received my diagnosis and the world as I knew it changed.

My test results had been delayed so my doctor called the clinic for them whilst I was in the room. Both she and I were extremely shocked when they confirmed it was in fact a carcinoma. Although I had a hunch that something was not right over the years, nothing prepares you for that outcome at such a young age and I didn’t actually expect to hear the words or the diagnosis, especially so close to Christmas.

I was given a Look Good Feel Better brochure and decided to register for a workshop in the hope I would meet people on a similar journey to myself, and also help me understand potential hair loss and how to manage this.

The workshop volunteer was amazing and made everyone feel very welcome and valued. Being in a room with several other strong women helped me realise that everyone's journey is different, but we were all there for the same reason – support is extremely important for healing.

I learned practical tips for dealing with hair loss like how to tie a headscarf properly and the different types of wigs available, as well as a few additional make up techniques. But I was also reminded and reassured that we only know what we know and no question is a silly question. It definitely helped to build my confidence.

I have tried very hard to not let this awful disease change my life too drastically. I am young, fit, healthy and determined and although I haven’t felt that way throughout the entire journey, it is the mentality that I have tried to maintain.

However, every aspect of my life has changed in some ways. I have reduced my work from full-time to part-time hours. I have limited my social interactions and become very conscious and cautious of germs and being around too many people. My days are full of aches, headaches, stiffness and often some sort of needle. I carry an old-school paper diary as my life is flooded with appointments. But most importantly, my life has changed as my amazing Mum and Stepdad have uprooted their life temporarily to come to Australia and support me on my journey. If there is a silver lining in all of this, then that is definitely it!

The Look Good Feel Better program was also a silver lining for me, and my friends and family noticed a positive difference in me after I attended a workshop.

I would recommend the program to anyone undergoing cancer treatment because even if you are into make-up and hair and know your stuff in this sense, it is a great way to connect with other people in a similar situation and it helps to build confidence and provide reassurance.

I would also encourage everyone to join the Confidence Collective, if you’re able to. A small contribution from each of us really can make the biggest difference.

A commitment of as little as $5 each month provides the certainty that the Look Good Feel Better program can continue to operate.

It means more people can face their cancer diagnosis with confidence and this is certainly a Christmas gift I know everyone going through what I went through would appreciate more than you’ll ever know. 

Join the Confidence Collective here or make a one-off donation here.