‘Silence put my cancer into focus’: how a retreat helped me put my diagnosis into words

After the worst year – cancer, chemo, a mastectomy at just 32 – Emma Hall went to a silent retreat. Here, she reveals how it gave her the strength to confront her fearsEmma, tell me who you are.” It’s the first day of a meditation retreat in a remote corner of the Yorkshire Moors, completely silent apart from scheduled “communication exercises”. I take a deep breath.“I’m 32. I’m from Liverpool, I live in London with my partner, John.” A pause. There’s no avoiding it. “A year ago today I was diagnosed with stage-three breast cancer.” Continue reading...