Get It Off My Chest

About the Book

This is Barbara's true-life experience of breast cancer. How on one Sunday morning in the middle of May 2002, just before her 56th Birthday, on self-examination, Barbara found 'The Lump'.

'The Lump', which is something every woman dreads, drastically changed the months ahead. In fact, once having suffered breast cancer, life is never quite the same again.

On her first visit to the breast clinic the thoughts furthest from Barbara's mind is that she was soon to encounter a mastectomy, and believe it or not, of her own choosing. In a very short period of time from finding 'The First Lump', there was soon to be found a second. Not long after, there is a third, and this time in her right breast. Surely this could not be happening -- Barbara could not believe that it was happening to her. This was something one read about, something one heard about, but never thought it would happen to them.

Although Barbara had her husband to help her through this terrible ordeal, she also found it of immense help to Get it off her Chest by diarising her experience. In this book Barbara describes not only her intimate private thoughts and personal feelings, but also the chronological sequence of events including the struggle with the bureaucracy of the Health Service, her emotions and fears and those who are closest to her. Finally, Barbara gives us a glimpse of her new life in France and the possibility of another book.

About the Author

Barbara Kavanagh is 58 years old and has had an extremely varied life. Having spent the first seven years of her life living on a farm in England she has always enjoyed the outdoor life. Married at the age of 17 she then emigrated to South Africa at the age of 23. After the breakdown of her first marriage, Barbara then concentrated on her career and helped to establish a mining supply company, which she was involved with for 10 years before selling out and returning to England in 1989.

During most of the following decade Barbara was seeking the same fulfillment that she had encountered in South Africa. Alas, this was not meant to be and she encountered the usual ups and downs in life.

Forever adventurous and seeking new challenges in 1997 Barbara joined a dating agency. She was introduced to Ray whom she married in 1999. Content at last, buying and setting up a new home, getting to know their respective new families and helping Ray with his Consultancy business. Life - again- was just great.

Then 'The Lump' and the Birth of this book.

During the experience of her cancer, Barbara and also Ray realized their own mortality and decided to retire early and enjoy life while they have it.

Now their life revolves around a 100-year-old converted farmhouse in Northern France and for Barbara, it's back to enjoying the outdoor life.