When Donna Louise Bryan was diagnosed with breast cancer, she was devastated – but even during the darkest moments, she found there was still room for humour.
Now the Oxfordshire-based voiceover artist and actor is planning to write a book celebrating the funny and uplifting moments of a cancer journey, rather than focusing on the difficult moments of diagnosis and treatment.
And she wants other people who have had breast cancer to share their own stories, in the hope of reminding readers that “they are not alone” and that “laughter can exist alongside the uncertainty and tears”.
Donna, 47, was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2023, aged 45, and it was during her own treatment that she first came up with the idea for the book.
She said: “One thing that has stayed with me throughout my own experience is how many people affected by breast cancer have been able to share a laugh alongside the tears.
“Those moments of humour and connection lifted me enormously, and I would love to create something that can do the same for others.”
Donna said her cancer journey “was and still is a tough one”.
She underwent five months of gruelling chemotherapy, followed by specialist targeted treatment called Phesgo, a single mastectomy with implant reconstruction and radiotherapy.
She said: “Nobody prepares you for how much it alters your body, your life, your identity. “But a lot of good has come out of it. I say yes to things more often now and hopefully this book will go on to help others.”
Donna has already collected some stories and hopes to gather more in the coming months. Her own experiences will also feature in the book, including one memorable moment involving her sisters.
“Just hours after I found out it was breast cancer, both my sisters arrived at my house, despite the fact one lives over an hour away and the other two hours away.
“As soon as my first sister came through the door, we hugged and cried in the doorway. Then I suddenly pulled away and said, ‘What the hell was the point in all that kale and broccoli?’
“We both burst out laughing.
“Then my other sister arrived and again, we hugged and cried in the doorway. Then I pulled back, looked her in the eye and said, ‘I didn’t even know boobs THIS small could get it.’
“Again, we were in fits of laughter.”
Donna hopes the book will show that humour can be an important part of dealing with cancer, without diminishing the seriousness of what people are going through.
A portion of the funds raised by the book will be donated to Breast Cancer Now. Donna is also raising awareness of Oxfordshire-based cancer support centre The Hummingbird Centre in Launton, near Bicester.
As a first-time author, Donna said the project is a long way from anything she had previously imagined doing.
She said: “I am writing this book because I know it will help put a smile on people’s faces while they navigate a difficult time of life.
“I know it sounds very spiritual, but I feel like this is a project I have to do.”
Hummingbird Founder and CEO Mechelle Harris said: “We are delighted to support Donna with this wonderful project. We know from the people we support just how difficult the journey through cancer treatment and recovery can be, and how important it is to be able to find moments of laughter and joy along the way.”
Donna is now inviting people who have had breast cancer to share their own funny, uplifting or unexpected moments for possible inclusion in the book.
Anyone who would like to get involved can contact her via email donnalouiseb@gmail.com or call/text on 07956 925 926.
Article written by S Mcgregor