Episode 227 - The Messy Middle: Restarting HRT and Feeling Invisible

Within just a year of being diagnosed with breast cancer, lawyer mum and so-called ‘midlife-hipster’ George made the deeply personal decision to restart HRT.

This episode isn't about advocating for or against HRT after breast cancer, and it certainly isn't about telling anyone what they should or shouldn't do. Instead, it's about understanding one woman's journey and exploring the thoughts, emotions and experiences that shaped her decision.

This conversation also goes far beyond HRT. George speaks beautifully about something I know many women will recognise: feeling invisible in midlife. Long before she made the decision to restart HRT, she had already begun finding ways to reconnect with herself. We talk about "Sparkly Fridays", bright lipstick, embracing colour, finding moments of joy and slowly rediscovering her confidence. It's a wonderful reminder that getting your mojo back isn't always about one big decision; sometimes it's the many little things that help you feel like yourself again.

When I first spoke to George, she was right in the messy middle. She had restarted HRT but, for the first time, found herself feeling anxious about that decision. I know so many people in our community are asking similar questions, often without straightforward answers.

My hope is that today's conversation helps us take some of the emotion out of these discussions and instead become a little more curious about one another. We don't all have to make the same decisions, but we can learn so much by listening without judgement.

In this episode, we discuss:

George's decision to restart HRT after breast cancerLiving with uncertainty and navigating deeply personal decisionsAnxiety, confidence and trusting yourselfFeeling invisible in midlife"Sparkly Fridays" and finding joy in the everydayWhy there is no one-size-fits-all approach to menopause after cancerThe importance of listening to one another's stories without judgement

Episode Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

04:53 Building an online community

10:58 Early breast cancer diagnosis story

14:10 Discussing HRT decision after cancer