I’m Andrea McConville, owner of Maple Garden Wellbeing and Meditation.

I started my business after a difficult couple of years in my personal life. In early 2021, after numerous fertility tests, we were told that IVF was going to be necessary for us to conceive a baby. I was working full time at that point and had a successful 20-year career in the corporate world. The process for us was reasonably straight forward and I conceived on the first round. We were thrilled and couldn’t wait to meet our new baby.

Fast forward to October 2021, I was 31 weeks pregnant, and I noticed a lump in my breast. I went to see the GP the next day and within a week, after tests and biopsies, it was confirmed that I had triple negative breast cancer. Freddie was delivered early, just a few weeks later and the tumour was also removed during the same operation. When he was 3 weeks old I started 5 months of chemotherapy, followed by a second operation and 19 sessions of radiotherapy.

Meditation and selfcare were extremely important to me throughout my diagnosis and treatment, but also as a new mum I needed to take time to look after myself! Meditation was my go-to tool which I relied on when I felt anxious or had to face a challenging time during my cancer treatment. I had meditated for years but I wanted to understand it more. What was really going on inside my head when I meditated and how was it helping me? I wanted to understand the science, plus learn new meditation techniques to advance my skill. I signed up to a Meditation teacher training course and loved every minute of it. Skincare is my other passion and something which I have been interested in since being a teenager. I always feel so much better when I take the time to look after myself, both mentally and physically.

A cancer diagnosis is difficult, but it also provides a new perspective on life. I knew that once my treatment was complete, I needed to make some changes in my life and so Maple Garden was created! In addition to Meditation, I also offer bespoke facial and massage treatments, which can be combined with a relaxing meditation experience.