Carly Findlay's Blog

Coming up: Frocktober

All through October, I’ll be frocking up, to raise money and awareness for Ovarian Cancer research. This is my second year participating in Frocktober – an initiative by the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation. I’ve been named an ambassador in 2025, and I am very proud to be one.

Last year I was diagnosed with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer. I had surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and went straight into menopause. I am now happily cancer free. But side effects from treatment still remain. 

There is no early detection test for Ovarian Cancer, and treatment options are not very advanced. The survival rate is low. The Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation (OCRF) is doing great work to develop an early detection test, better treatments and preventative measures to help improve outcomes for people who are diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer.

I will be sharing frocks and facts on my Instagram, Facebook and blog every day in October. Many frocks will be from my own wardrobe, and I’ve also been lucky to be gifted some beautiful frocks from Australian and international fashion brands.  

Donate to me here, and check out my amazing Frocktober team here.If you can’t donate, that’s ok – times are tough. You can share the link to my fundraiser or my social media and blog posts with your networks. 

Thank you for supporting a worthy cause.

Image: Carly, a woman with a red face and short dark curly hair, wearing a long purple floral dress with puffed sleeves, looking joyous. Text reads: “FROCK OVARIAN CANCER Join the fun and raise funds for the Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation to help us improve outcomes for ovarian cancer.” The background is purple. 

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On the Down Low podcast – Endometrial Cancer

I spoke with Alison Dance on the On The Down Low podcast – Speaking Up About Gynaecological Cancer, created by Australia and New Zealand Gynaecological Cancer Group. This season is about Uterine Cancer. I was diagnosed with Endometrial Cancer, alongside Ovarian Cancer.

Episode one is out now. It focuses on risk factors and causes of Endometrial Cancer as well as symptoms. In addition to hearing from experts from the gynaecology field, I tell my story of the symptoms that I had, and the lack of answers I was getting before my diagnoses. I’ll be on episode six too. 

I found it a hard listen, to be honest. I still wonder about what caused my cancers. And listening to this episode still doesn’t give me any answers – I didn’t have many risk factors apart from not having children and not taking the oral contraceptive. Guess I’ll never know. I did learn Endometrial Cancer has nothing to do with endometriosis, though. 

Find On The Down Low podcast where you get your podcasts – Apple Podcasts, Spotify and on the ANZGOG website:

Image: a pink square with white text: “On the down low
Speaking up about gynaecological cancers
OUT NOW
SEASON TWO
Episode One”
There’s a white line illustration of a uterus, and a photo of a white woman. A representation of audio lines are at the bottom of the square.

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Come join my Frocktober team!

Screenshot

Come join my Frocktober team!

I am pleased to be an ambassador for Frocktober 2025 – doing one of my favourite things for charity: wearing a frock (or two) every day in October. I’ll be posting my Frocktober outfits on my social media, with facts about Ovarian Cancer, and a call for donations to the OCRF.

Frocktober is a month long campaign to raise money for theOvarian Cancer Research Foundation. There is currently no early detection test for Ovarian Cancer, and the survival rate is low. I can’t even look at the stats without crying. I want to live for longer than five years.

Last year I was diagnosed with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer. I had surgery to remove two tumours and had a uterectomy. I had four rounds of chemotherapy and five weeks of radiotherapy. I am cancer free now, and hopeful. But my body, mind and finances are still impacted by the cancer treatment and menopause.

If you want to join my Frocktober team, head to Frocktober.org.au, register your fundraising page, and click that you want to be part of a team. Search for “CARLY’S COLOURFUL CREW SAYS FROCK CANCER” and you’ll become part of my team. And then in October, take a photo of yourself each day, and post the photo and the link to your Frocktober page to social media or with your email contacts. The Frocktober website has loads of prompts to help you educate about Ovarian Cancer, as well as 31 days of Frockspiration.

You can frock up every day of the month, on days you can manage it, or just once off. You can even hold an event in your workplace or community, or auction off one of your frocks.

We are stronger together.

The link to my Frocktober page is here, if you want to donate and/or join my team.

Thank you!

Images: 1. A collage, with purple text on teal saying “FROCK OVARIAN CANCER”, Carly wearing a purple dress pointing up to the text and two facts: “The current five-year survival rate for ovarian cancer is 49%.
There is no early detection test for ovarian cancer” 2. Team page for CARLY’S COLOURFUL CREW SAYS FROCK CANCER. Black text on teal with a pic of Carly, joyous.

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I want to work with you!

I’m looking for some work! 

I’d like to supplement my part time job, so I’m looking for one off gigs like:

– speeches, MCing, training at conferences, team building days, awards etc (specialising in topics of resilience, diversity, disability, writing, feminism, cancer, menopause, the arts)

– writing articles and copy; 

– editing; 

-social media content collaborations; 

– arts and health mentoring, advisory panels, consulting and boards; 

– podcast hosting;

– accessibility consultancy and resource creation

– speaking (and cooking) on TV

– developing accessibility resources;

– guest lecturing in writing and health;

– proof reading;

– scribing and note taking support;

– sensitivity reading and viewing.

I am in Melbourne and can do these gigs locally, online and interstate.

I am also happy to consider part time office admin, or retail work one or two days a week, including short contracts. 

I wonder if I could do customer service at a library?

If you know anywhere that might benefit from my skills, please let me know. My email is carlyfindlay8@gmail.com. 

Thank you! 

Image: Carly, a woman with red skin and short dark curly hair, wearing a denim dress with floral embroidery on it, over a colourful floral top, standing near a white wall. She’s smiling. Black text to her top left reads: “I want to work with you!”

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Skin cancer – another cancer diagnosis

I said no more cancer.

But.

I got another cancer diagnosis last week.

Skin cancer.

A sore on my forehead had been bothering me for more than a year.

The diagnosis was uneventful.

The dermatology registrar called me on a Tuesday afternoon. She gave me the results of the biopsy on my forehead, less than a week prior.

It’s superficial and we’ve caught it early.

Is it basal cell carcinoma? Or is it squamous cell carcinoma? It was a quick phone call – I didn’t catch the specifics.

At least it’s not melanoma.

When I got my biopsy stitches out (it didn’t hurt), the GP told the medical student that I’ve had three cancer diagnoses in just over a year. Well, when you put it like that, do I get a coffee card and get a present when the card is fully stamped?

He also said this one is easily treatable. It’s not aggressive.  And I exhale.

Next I’ll go to the plastic surgeon at the hospital to have the cancer removed. I don’t know when.

Like my first cancer diagnoses, waiting for the unexpected and the unknown is the hardest. Nothing has moved quickly like it did when I had Ovarian and Endometrial cancer. I joked that I got lucky with those, there was such urgency.

The skin cancer is minuscule compared to the cancerous mass on my ovary. That was 25 cm. This is millimetres. Like a drawing pin on a map.

Even though more medical procedures and admin are ahead of me,I’ve been questioning if this is not as serious , compared to last year. Would I even write about this? 

Is it a cancer diagnosis if it’s just a small skin cancer that can be removed? Is it a cancer diagnosis if I’m not given a stack of literature to read from the Cancer Council?  Is it a cancer diagnosis if I require no treatment?

Is it even cancer?

This new diagnosis feels so tiny. Insignificant Not like a whole uterus and ovaries that need to be removed. Not like a life overhaul.  Not like being catapulted into menopause while recovering from major surgery, stopping work and then having chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and then getting the all clear.

This is a blip on the radar. A sore on my face.

Just a little spot that will be removed and then I can get on with my life.

I was told that one in three people have these types of skin cancer. It’s so common it’s unremarkable.

Rare people also have common things, my dermatologist told me.

A friend said I’ve had a good success rate at beating cancer. I’ll do it again.

Image: a selfie of Carly, a woman with red skin and short dark curly hair, wearing a brightlly coloured dress over a teal roll neck jumper. She’s smiling. The dress has an orange sun on it. She’s also wearing a necklace that’s a green hummingbird with green leaves and pink flowers.

 

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Can I speak to the manager?

At the deli, waiting to buy five chicken thighs.

The customer next to me takes a long time, asking for bones for her dog. “The dog will shoot me if I give it chicken thighs that small”, she says, and we both laugh.

By the time the supermarket worker gets to me, this has become more than just a quick trip to get groceries for tonight’s dinner.

The supermarket worker’s first words to me is “why is your face so red?”

This type of curious, well intentioned interaction is always equally an expected and surprising interruption to my day. I was feeling good after Pilates, and looking forward to a disability pride event soon after. And boom! Ableism disrupting.

The supermarket worker didn’t ask about the previous customer’s face.

I answered her.

“Your job is to serve at the deli. You don’t need to know about your customers’ appearances or medical history.”

“Sorry”, she said.

I walked off to get the prepackaged chicken thighs, happy to pay more because it doesn’t come with a side of ignorant curiosity.

See, for the person asking the curious question, that seems polite to them, it’s the first time they’ve seen someone who looks like me. But for, me it’s the not the first time I’ve been asked. Sometimes not even the first time that day.
It’s a cumulative effect.

It’s on top of the influencer who i really respected, using a facial difference filter and then blocking me when i call her in.

It’s on top of the friend who said they have a right to use the R word and won’t stop.

It’s on top of the kid who hid behind their mother‘s legs because they were scared of my face.

It’s on top of the taxi driver who refused to take me because they were worried my face would ruin their car.

It’s on top of the casting agency who called for ugly faces for a horror film.

It’s on top of the physical pain I endure every single day.

It’s on top of helping disabled people unlearn their internalised ableism.

It’s on top of the advocacy and education I do, often for free.

Usually I can handle this, I brush it off. Explain “I was born this way.”

But today at the supermarket, I asked if can speak to the manager?

Image: Carly in front of a painted mural of flowers & pomegranates.

Has this post helped you? Has it made you think about disability or appearance diversity? Please consider buying me a drink. Thank you.

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Six useful resources about menopause

Last year I was suddenly launched into early menopause just after a hysterectomy and a diagnosis of ovarian and  endometrial cancer. Recovering from major surgery, chemo brain fog and getting used to my new body meant that I was in no place to learn about menopause. 

Before my hysterectomy and diagnosis, I was told it was risky for me going into early menopause – because of low bone density and risks of depression. When I got the official cancer diagnosis, I was told I can’t have Menopause Hormone Therapy because my cancer was hormone receptive. 

I had a few questions, which included:

– Did I skip peri-menopause -and go straight into menopause? 

and

– Was my night sweats chemo, cancer or menopause – and why is this happening when ichthyosis doesn’t allow me to sweat?

But I had to focus on getting through cancer treatment so menopause education and management was put on hold. 

This year though, I’ve been actively researching it, and encouraging women younger than me to research it too. Because like so many millennial women (and older), I didn’t learn about menopause at school or anywhere else. 

But more and more people are talking about it, and I’m so grateful. 

Here are books, podcasts and other resources that help me. 

Anomalous podcast, hosted by Em Rusciano. I feel lucky I heard this while in Johannesburg, just before cancer became my reality. Em mostly talks about neurodivergence, and menopause is mentioned too. Em is soon releasing Rage Against the Vagine – a pod solely on menopause.

Rage Against the Menopause podcast, hosted by Patrina Jones. This is so useful – covering exercise, menopause hormone therapy, support from partners and the physiological and mental stuff. And it’s funny. 

It’s the Menopause book by Kaz Cooke. Funny, informative and an easy read. 

Medically Induced Menopause Resources by Jean Hailes & Inherited Cancers Australia. So useful for my situation. 

Food for Menopause book by Linia Patel. Such a comprehensive cookbook.

Dare I Say It book by Naomi Watts. Unapologetic and informative.

Shoutouts to Mid, the pod by Holly Wainwright; & another book friends gave me but I can’t remember the name of due to menopausal brain fog. 

Image: a collage of six podcast images, book covers and resources. Top: Anomalouss, Rage Against the Menopause, It’s the Menopause:
Bottom: Medically Induced Menopause, Food for Menopause, Dare I Say It.

Has this post helped you? Feel free to buy me a drink. Thank you! 

 

The post Six useful resources about menopause first appeared on Carly Findlay.

Whiplash

I’m feeling really tired. Physically and emotionally.

I chatted with someone recently and they said “no offence, Carly, but you’ve been through a lot”.

True.

As Princess Catherine said recently, life after cancer doesn’t feel normal. I’m trying to work as much as I can, and do social and domestic things. I’m trying to build up my savings. I’m trying to rest as much as I can.

But I’m also processing all that happened to me in the last year and a half.

Moved house.
Bowel issues.
Inconclusive tests.
A life changing overseas trip.
Stomach pain on the way home.
More tests and a pre-diagnosis.
Stopping work.
Cancer diagnosis.
Hysterectomy.Recovering from major surgery.
Four rounds of chemotherapy.
Trying to access Centrelink.
Very sore skin and low mental health.
Ongoing targeted bullying and trolling from within the disability community and elsewhere.
Returning to work.
Five weeks (25 sessions) of radiotherapy.
Menopause.
Being told I’m cancer free.
Recovering.
Getting back to life as it was.
Still maintaining ichthyosis.
Worrying about cancer recurrence.
Work, housework, medical appointments.
Navigating ableism and discrimination.

Needless to say, I’ve got a bit of whiplash.

I’ve got access to mental health support. I’m happy. I’ve made many positive healthy changes including regular exercise. I’m surrounded by good people.

But reflecting on all that’s happened, and moving through the world now is overwhelming and exhausting (aside from all the horrific world events) . I’m weary. I feel like a need a holiday. I want to tidy my bedroom but I’d rather go to bed and sleep.

I can’t even think of a paragraph to round off this post. Other than to say, I’m tired and life has been a lot.

Image: Carly, a tired woman with a red face, wearing a pinkish beanie, a green and pink floral tee, navy jeans with strawberries on them, pink sneaks and a red jacket.

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Today is one year since cancer diagnosis

Today is one year since I had a hysterectomy, and one year since I waa diagnosed with Ovarian and Endometrial Cancer.

A year is both a short time and a long time, and I am still processing all that happened.

I went from “you probably have cancer” to “you do have cancer” to chemotherapy and radiotherapy to “you’re cancer free” in around seven or eight months.

Last week’s blood test results made me much more confident about my health. I’m feeling good in my body. I had a really productive appointment with my psych.

I’m so thankful to all the medical staff, and to my friends, family, colleagues and online community for all the support they’ve given me over the last year.

I feel very brave and strong for getting through it. I’ve become much better at having needles. I have a new appreciation for an easy poo. I appreciate not having my period anymore. I can do hard things.

I am celebrating life this week, off to a fancy hotel on the weekend.

I’ve felt a bit silly in celebrating, though. The world is in a worse place now. The genocide continues, world war three looks likely, there’s a climate emergency and human rights are being taken away. It’s hard to feel excited when everything is so bleak.

Here’s to life, hopefully a long, exciting, happy and peaceful one for me, and for all of us.

Image: a collage of four photos – Carly ready for surgery, Carly having chemo, wearing a dress among the blossoms, wearing a big head piece.

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First bloods since cancer treatment

How incredible is modern medicine?!

I just got some blood test results back. The oncologist was right to be confident when she said I’m cancer free in January, following surgery, four rounds of chemo and 25 sessions of radiotherapy.

Cancer markers were down significantly. They went from a five digit figure when I was diagnosed, to a single digit figure now.

I asked the doctor to tell me again, in case I misheard.

Wow. I’m so thankful to the doctors and nurses.

It feels like a miracle!

Also, this mop of curls is quite the miracle too. Another reason to be thankful to chemo!

Image: Carly, a woman with red skin and short dark curly hair, wearing a purple jumper and a brooch that’s a snail among the leaves of yellow and white dandelions.

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