When I started my Substack, it was meant to be a place to share the renovation of our new house, home inspiration, shopping finds, and some delicious new recipes (even though the kitchen we’re in now is far from ideal, and most of my things are still in storage). I imagined this space as a place for all things home and life and wanted to see where it would take me.
What I didn’t imagine was being diagnosed with ovarian cancer just two weeks later. Now I’m not sure how much of that journey to share here. Does anyone even want to hear about it? The truth is, it’s a big part of my life right now, so it’s probably what I’ll be writing about for a while. Hopefully, over time, there will be less cancer talk, more home talk, and way more food—especially once the new kitchen is finished and I can finally unpack and get back to creating.
It’s been three weeks since I last wrote. In that time, I had surgery to remove a 14 cm tumor on my left ovary and a 4 cm tumor on my right. I had a full hysterectomy, needed a blood transfusion, and was sent home—only to land back in the ER 48 hours later. That turned into another four-day hospital stay, another blood transfusion, antibiotics, and a lot more fluids. Now I’m back home, recovering from surgery, and prepping for chemo, which starts Monday. It’s the part I’m least looking forward to—it seems no one has anything positive to say about it. It feels like a big, scary unknown, and I’m just trying to prepare myself mentally as best I can.
As for the house, things are finally moving. After nine months of waiting, we got our permits and started making real progress. Most of the focus is on the kitchen, laundry room, and walk-in pantry, in addition to updating the bathrooms, redoing the floors, and upgrading the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing throughout the house. We’ve taken down the most important wall in the house—the one that held it all up—and replaced it with a massive steel beam and lots of supports.
This means our kitchen will be double the size it was before, with a big island, and we’re adding two new windows to bring in as much natural light as possible. Appliances are chosen, and next up is deciding on the kitchen finish. I love oak, but lately I’ve been leaning toward paint—it feels more “Plain English Kitchen” and easier to touch up once we’re actually living in it. Then, of course, come the hardware and all the other little details.
I’ve also been making a list of things I think I’ll need for chemo (see below). It’s hard to know what you’ll need or what’s coming when everyone’s journey seems to be their own. I’ve put together a list that I’ll share here in case it helps anyone who comes after me, unsure of what to bring or prepare for. Some things are specific to chemo and recovery, and others are just good for general health and well-being.
Substack is funny—you pour your heart out and send it into the world, never really knowing if anyone will read it or care. Not in a self-pity way, more in a curious one. So if you’ve made it to the end, I’d really love to hear from you. What do you want more of? Less of? Your feedback would mean so much and help me figure out what to share here. I don’t want to bore you with things no one cares about.
Essential for Comfort & Chemo
Comfort Clothing
Accessories
Clean Beauty
Nutrition
Cookbooks
I’m so inspired by you. I miss you and I’m just grateful that I saw this and am able to connect with you. Love you ❤️
Hi Leanne, first...LOVE your haircut. Must feel great to be lighter with life being quite heavy right now. I am not a big Substacker but I really enjoy your updates. So know that we are rooting for you and interested in your experience and voice. I sent you a link via Instagram about electrolytes. Saw that you linked to LMNT and thought I'd root around to see how it compares to the one I sent you. Here's what I found. Take it or leave it but thought you'd be interested. Sending love and strength your way! xo
"LMNT provides high amounts of sodium (1000mg), making it ideal for athletes or those with low sodium intake, but potentially excessive for the general population. Instant Hydration, on the other hand, uses Sel Gris, a less-processed sea salt rich in trace minerals, and a more balanced electrolyte profile for everyday hydration. The choice depends on your specific needs: LMNT for intense sweat loss and keto diets, and Instant Hydration for daily hydration without excessive sodium.
LMNT Electrolytes
High Sodium Content:
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LMNT is known for its high sodium content (1,000 mg per serving), which is beneficial for significant sweat loss, such as during intense exercise or for individuals on a ketogenic diet.
Other Electrolytes:
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It also contains potassium (200 mg) and magnesium (60 mg) to support fluid balance.
Clean Ingredients:
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The formulation avoids artificial ingredients and sugars.
Flavor Variety:
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Offers unique flavor combinations like Watermelon Salt, Lemon Habanero, and Mango Chili.
Instant Hydration
Premium Sea Salt:
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Uses Sel Gris (French grey sea salt), a premium, minimally processed sea salt naturally rich in trace minerals.
Balanced Electrolyte Profile:
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Aims for better cellular hydration and fluid balance, likely with lower sodium than LMNT, making it suitable for a wider audience.
Focus on Daily Health:
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Positioned for individuals to use for daily hydration to replenish electrolytes lost through movement and stress.
Which to Choose?
Choose LMNT if:
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You are an athlete who sweats a lot, follow a ketogenic diet, or need to replenish a very high level of sodium.
Choose Instant Hydration if:
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You are looking for a daily electrolyte supplement that supports overall hydration without a high sodium load, and you prefer a product with natural trace minerals from sea salt."