Now that Kate Middleton is back at work after undergoing cancer treatment last year, she’s opening up about just how different the experience has been than she expected. On Wednesday, Kate visited Colchester Hospital in Essex to check out its well-being garden, and while she was there, she spoke about what life has been like since she began trying to find her new normal.
Kate said getting back to normal has been “difficult” for her.
While visiting the hospital, Kate talked about what life was like after completing chemotherapy treatment last year.
“You put on a sort of brave face, stoicism through treatment. Treatment’s done, then it’s like, ‘I can crack on, get back to normal,’ but actually, the phase afterwards is really, really difficult,” she admitted, according to People.
Even though treatment is over, Kate said, those who have been fighting cancer are still “not able to function normally at home as you perhaps once used to.”
“And actually, someone to help talk you through that, show you and guide you through that sort of phase that comes after treatment, I think is really valuable,” she shared with the magazine.
Life after treatment hasn’t been quite what she expected.
Of course, Kate mentioned that what she has been through is “life-changing” – and how could it not be?
“You have to find your new normal and that takes time … and it’s a roller coaster, it’s not smooth, like you expect it to be. But the reality is you go through hard times,” she added.
She helped plant roses that were named after her in the garden.
During her visit, Kate spent time planting Catherine’s Roses in the garden. People reported that the pink roses have been named in her honor by the Royal Horticultural Society, and the proceeds from their sales will be donated to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity at the hospital where she received her treatment.
Kate donated 50 of the roses to Colchester Hospital, and 500 more will be donated to community and hospital gardens in the United Kingdom.
Kate also shared a message about her visit on Instagram.
Alongside photos from her visit, Kate shared that it was “wonderful” that her roses were able to be planted in the hospital’s garden.
“Grateful to everyone who helped create this special space for wellbeing, and to all those working and volunteering here to support patients,” she wrote in her post. “Thank you to those too who generously shared their stories of recovery.”
