Breast Cancer

This is a part of my story I didn’t see coming, and one I’m still learning how to navigate.

I’ve shared what it’s really been like – the surgeries, the treatments, the long stretches in between, and what it looks like to go through breast cancer as a family. The practical side of it, but also the emotional load that isn’t always talked about.

If you’re facing breast cancer, or supporting someone who is, I hope this feels like someone sitting alongside you, not telling you what to do.
And if you have questions, or just need someone who understands, please reach out. I’m always here.

Breast Cancer Posts

meeting Dari from REvitalash was incredible at City of Hope’s Annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Breast Cancer Research Symposium,
RevitaLash Road to $10 Million: Their Mission is More Than Beauty
When RevitaLash invited me to attend their 10th Annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Breast Cancer Research Symposium at City of Hope, I hesitated. Not because I didn’t want to go, but because I knew exactly what walking...
you can eat and drink normally with InBrace teeth straightening
I’m a 10 Year Breast Cancer Survivor!
Celebrating 10 years as a breast cancer survivor! Join me on my journey of resilience and hope. Discover the strength within and the power of never giving up.
8 years cancer free and counting
Cheers to 8 Years Cancer-Free!
Celebrating eight years cancer-free was a milestone I'll never take for granted. Breast cancer changed my perspective on almost everything, teaching me to appreciate the little things—morning coffee, good health, time with family, and the...
breast cancer survivor
7 Year Breast Cancer Survivor…and Counting
I am a 7 year breast cancer survivor - I was unexpectedly diagnosed with invasive ductal stage 2 breast cancer. Read more...
6 year cancer survivor
Cancer Survivor – 6 year ‘cancerversary’ reflections
For most of you April 29th is just another day. For me, this day is a reminder of when my life changed forever. April 29th 2015 was the day I had both breasts and 13...
Five Year Breast Cancer Survivor – What that means
I'm here!!!! Recurrence is THE worst fear for those who've battled breast cancer, and five years is an important milestone.  I was completely caught off guard when I heard those dreaded words, 'you have stage...
breast cancer survivor
Open Post to Blue Shield of California Health Care
I'm quite sure I'm not the Blue Shield of California 'member of the month.' Since I was diagnosed with breast cancer at a young age, the surgeries, medications, tests and doctor visits since then must...
Breast cancer survivor
Breast Cancer Survivor: Four Years Later
Hey! I'm still here! It's been 4 years since my world was rocked and my life was forever changed. My thoughts as a breast cancer survivor.
thedoctorstv breast cancer survivor
Women with Breast Cancer Could Avoid Chemotherapy
A few years ago, if a women was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was an automatic chemotherapy and radiation sentence along with whatever surgical options were planned to remove the cancer. I fell into this...
malibu triathlon breast cancer survivor
Breast Cancer is an analogy for the Malibu Triathlon
I competed in the 2016 Malibu Triathlon. I was asked to be part of a relay team by my fantastic reconstructive surgeon, who sponsored a team.  Each year her office has dedicated this event to...
7 Things To Never Say To Someone With Breast Cancer
When you first receive that paralyzing breast cancer diagnosis, you are vulnerable, scared, and you literally and figuratively are brought to your knees.  As the news soaks in and you begin to share, it's just...
Samantha Kuhr, breast cancer survivor
Cancer Recurrence: The 5 and 10 year waiting game!
The most scary word for anyone who has been through any sort of cancer is: recurrence. It's funny, I didn't use this word frequently before 2015.  Now it's used in every single appointment, cancer conversation,...
Kristi Funk
Breast Cancer: Reduce Your Risk and Optimize Your Health
As a breast cancer survivor, I'm always curious about what really lowers our odds. That search led me straight to breast cancer surgeon Dr. Kristi Funk, whose work on prevention quietly changed the way I...
Other Side Of Breast Cancer
The Other Side Of Breast Cancer: 3 Years Later
Breast cancer permanently changed my life three years ago today. Each year I spend time thinking about my experience. In a weird way, I think I might even be happier now.  Read my thoughts about...
Breast Cancer: Dealing With Survivor Guilt
The hard reality about cancer is that not everyone survives the fight, and it's very hard to accept that death is a part of this disease.  Read more...
Tamoxifen Side Effects After Breast Cancer - they Suck!
Tamoxifen Side Effects After Breast Cancer Suck!
Great news! If you're the one in eight women diagnosed with breast cancer, and your particular cancer is hormone positive, 'all you need' is surgery, maybe a little radiation, and the "magical" drug, Tamoxifen. I...
cancer survivor breast cancer
10 Hard Truths About A Cancer Diagnosis
When you hear the words 'you have cancer', lots of things change.  Here are 10 hard truths about a cancer diagnosis.
Double Mastectomy: A 5 Day Journey
Double Mastectomy: The First 5 Days
I've never felt such pain, panic, fear, and devastation after waking from my double mastectomy. It's hard to even put into words. Here's what to expect for the first 5 days.
breast cancer survivor!
What To Expect After Double Mastectomy: Day 1 and Day 2
Day 1 and 2 post double mastectomy were by far the worst. The pain was unbearable and the anesthesia slowly moved through her body. Read more here:
What To Expect On Double Mastectomy Day
This is 'Hot Hubby' taking over the blogging for the day. Making the decision to have a double mastectomy after a breast cancer diagnosis is terrifying. Here's what you can expect during surgery.
Breast Cancer: 5 tips to survive PET/CT and Bone Scans
"Mom, what does it feel like to be radioactive, is it cool!?!?" - Julian age 10 My oncologist was able to get a baseline PET scan and body scans authorized by my insurance company (yes,...
Breast cancer, a husband's view one year after a double mastectomy and 10 year breast cancer survivor
Breast Cancer Husband: One Year Later
A unique perspective on cancer recovery from a husband's point of view. This powerful blog post reflects on the challenges and emotions faced during the journey of recovery after a double-mastectomy.
5 Things to Do after a Cancer Diagnosis
1.  Get multiple opinions and choose your breast surgeon wisely When I received my cancer diagnosis, I needed to quickly find a breast surgeon and reconstructive surgeon. I reached out to friends who had traveled...
10 Lessons Learned From Breast Cancer
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer, I never dreamed it would all be so complicated. I also didn’t realize I’d have to make decisions that would affect my 'survival rate' or 'cancer recurrence rate.'...
Mastectomy: What You Can Expect
So I was just given a cancer diagnosis … now what? After receiving my breast cancer diagnosis in late March, I quickly scheduled consults with breast and reconstructive surgeons. I needed to remove these vile,...
Diagnosed with Breast Cancer…What Now?
My world as I knew it changed on March 27, 2015. I was a 43-year-old mom of two very active boys, wife of 17 years to Hot Hubby, active, non-smoker, with no family history of...
Breast Cancer Survivor - 13 things they wish that you knew
13 Things That Every Breast Cancer Survivor Wishes You Knew
April 29th is just another day for most people, however, for me it is filled with crazy emotions. Trauma, sadness, fear, PTSD, and hope and relief. I'm a breast cancer survivor. Two years ago my...
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About the Author

Hi! I’m Samantha

I’m a travel and health writer, marketing and brand consultant, breast cancer survivor, and mum to two young men who are, without question, my greatest achievement.

This little corner of the internet is where I share the real stuff – family life after cancer, raising young men, and our travels around the world. It’s sometimes beautiful, sometimes messy, but always authentic, all told with my dry (and sometimes slightly naughty) British humor.

You’ll find travel tips, honest reviews, and the places, products, and moments I genuinely love.

I’m so glad you’re here.

Follow Me on Instagram
@SamanthaKuhr
  • I forgot how easy San Diego is for a quick getaway from LA. We recently drove down, stayed at Hilton San Diego Bayfront, and caught a Padres game.⚾️ The hotel is right on the bay, close to downtown, Coronado, the Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village, and Petco Park. If you’re going to a Padres game, the location is honestly perfect. We walked from the hotel, over the pedestrian bridge, and straight to the ballpark. The newly renovated rooms are lovely and have everything that matters: a comfy bed, great pillows, and a separate sitting area. I’m not the easiest sleeper, but I actually slept here, which is always my true test. We ate a delish dinner at Hudson & Nash, the hotel’s signature restaurant with bay views, firepits, World Cup games at the bar, fab seafood, and a cioppino loaded with lobster. 🦞🌅☀️ Definitely ask for a table by the firepits if you can. Hilton San Diego Bayfront is perfect for a couple’s weekend, a family stay, or a Padres getaway. Easy drive, gorgeous location, and no airport stress. This stay was kindly hosted by Hilton San Diego Bayfront.. and yes, I would absolutely go back. . #visitsandiego #hiltonsandiegobayfront #sandiegogram #travelblogger
  • Welcome - my blog got a facelift…bless her…she was looking a little tired💕 There are lots of new faces around here, so I thought I’d introduce myself and tell you why My Travelling Circus exists. I’ve always dreamed of being a travel writer. Long before Instagram, TikTok, influencers, affiliate links, or even the idea that you could make a living online. Back then, it was just a place to share stories and photos from our travels. 🌎 Then life took a wobble. At a routine doctor’s appointment, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a dark time. My boys were young, and I genuinely didn’t know what the future would hold. During treatment and recovery, I spent a lot of time in bed. So I started writing. I documented everything. The cancer journey. Family life. The places we’d traveled. The memories we’d made. 💕🌸 To be honest, I think part of me was creating a little corner of the internet where our stories, our photos, and the adventures we’d shared together would live….Just in case I didn’t. Twelve years later, I’m still here. (woot woot!) 🙏 The boys are now young men. Social media exploded. The internet changed. And somehow, this little blog grew alongside it. What started as a personal project became a business, a community, and one of the greatest surprises of my life. Today, My Travelling Circus is where I share family travel, destination guides, travel tips, honest reviews, wellness, family stuff, and life after breast cancer. And if you’ve found your way here, I’m so happy to have you. If you’d like to follow along, I’d be incredibly grateful if you’d subscribe to my newsletter. I promise not to fill your inbox with junk...just stories, travel inspiration, and the occasional adventure.🌸💕 (link in bio) Thank you for being here. . #travelblog #traveltips #traveltheworld
  • Sometimes you need a reminder that there is still so much good in the world 💕🙏 Today, three rescued sea lion pups were released back into the ocean after being cared for by an incredible team of people @marinemammalcare 🦭 . Watching them head home is proof that when people come together to help, amazing things can happen.🙏 Welcome back to the wild, little ones. . #animalrescue #wildliferescue #goodnewsmovement #animalrehab
  • What a whirlwind few days in NYC with the Fastbreak.AI team celebrating being named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies of 2026✨ . Broadway shows, piano bars, late-night drinks rotating the city, and somehow squeezing in actual work. New York really is the city that never sleeps. Let’s do it again! . If you’re planning your own trip to NYC, I have everything you need here: https://www.mytravellingcircus.com/2025/10/13/48-hours-in-new-york-city-first-timers-guide/ . #nycguide #thingstodoinnyc #newyorkcity #visitnyc
  • Why have I never been to Chelsea Market in NYC? . #chelseamarketnyc #seedandmill #newyorkeats #travelblog #chelseamarketny
  • I love finding restaurants that are fun for a group dinner and @descansorestaurant is the perfect spot. We did the Plancha dining experience, where the chefs cook everything right on the sizzling grill at your table, and it feels like dinner and entertainment rolled into one.🔥 . Our carne asada and Pork Loin Alambre were cooked to our preference right in front of us, and the food was fresh, flavorful, and somehow didn’t feel heavy at all. . And the cocktails… very cool cocktail menu. We tried the Coco Verano (with Don Fulano Blanco, Cointreau, Fresh Coconut, Pressed Coconut Water, Agave, Lime) and the house fav. Cucumber + Sal (El Tesoro Blanco Tequila, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Cucumber, Cilantro, Lime and Black Sea Salt). The margaritas were very much flowing at our table.🍋‍🟩 . The whole experience is social, interactive, and feels like sitting around a taco stand with friends while everything’s cooking fresh in front of you… which actually is where the founders took their inspiration 🇲🇽 . Descanso has locations in LA and Costa Mesa and is perfect for birthdays, date nights, girls’ dinners, or taking out-of-town guests who want a fun LA dinner experience. Save room for dessert… or settle into their very impressive tequila bar for an after-dinner drink.🍸 #DescansoRestaurant #PlanchaDining #LosAngelesRestaurants #MexicanFoodLA #LAFoodie
  • Lucky me - I got to spend Mother’s Day under the sea watching The Little Mermaid at the Nocturne Theater in Glendale with my very own Sebastian❤️ . The theater is staged in-the-round, so the entire undersea world happens all around you, with the characters sometimes only a couple of feet from the audience. The costumes are gorgeous and beautifully designed to bring the underwater world to life. There was even a performer doing aerial acrobatics on an aerial rope above the stage. And of course, you already know the songs…the pure voice of @jennamaewhite as Ariel is Disney magic 🐠🦀 . One of my favorite parts was watching the little girls arrive in their Ariel dresses, beside themselves with excitement, and at the end, the cast came out to meet them and take photos…so lovely 💕 . Such a sweet way to spend the afternoon with my boy. If you grew up loving The Little Mermaid, definitely try to see this one before it leaves Glendale. . The Little Mermaid @thenocturnetheatre Dates: May 8th – June 14th Location: 324 North Orange Street, Glendale, CA 91203 Show Length: 2.5 hours (with intermission) . #thelittlemermaid #thingstodoinlosangeles #theaterinla
  • Four countries, no backtracking - our Balkans road trip was fabulous. Here’s the loop we drove:🇭🇷🇧🇦🇲🇪🇦🇱🇭🇷 - Flew into Dubrovnik (Croatia) - Dubrovnik to Mostar (Bosnia & Herzegovina) - Down through Kotor and Budva (Montenegro) - Over to Shkodër (Albania) - Back to Dubrovnik (drop boys at the airport) - Dubrovnik to Korčula Island (Croatia) - Korčula to Split (Croatia) - Split to Dubrovnik (Croatia) We explored coastlines, islands, mountain roads, old towns… so much culture packed into two weeks. I mapped the full route and shared exactly how we did it (what I’d do again vs skip) over on the blog - link in bio if you’re thinking about it.🌍 📍Save this one. https://www.mytravellingcircus.com/2026/04/25/easy-balkans-road-trip-a-one-week-loop-from-dubrovnik/ . #balkansroadtrip #balkans #croatiawithlove #travelblogger
  • Our Place on Abbot Kinney in Venice just feels happy. Yes, I work with Our Place…but I also cook with their pots every single day and don’t get me started on their WonderOven 💕 . Also special shoutout to my @marcellanyc Signe Dress - the pink is even more vibrant in person . If you’re in LA be sure to visit their flagship store 📍 Our Place, Abbot Kinney . See my full OurPlace product guide here: https://shopmy.us/shop/collections/921589 . #summerdress #ourplace #giftguides #kitchenware #marcellanyc

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