About Me

Andrea Moulding, AKA Lolly Pop

Although born in London, I was brought up in rural Suffolk and still love this part of the world. Now with two kids and a dog, I live in the Midlands.
After many years in the charity section I now run a marketing agency.
My true love is writing. I published my first book, 'Throwing Salt at the Devil', in 2022 and that led me to Stay on the Bus.
For me, the medical information was just too much. People need information in a way that isn't scary and makes them laugh.
I also co-host the podcast 'Get it Off Your Chest' - the funny side of breast cancer.

Take me to the Podcast
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My breast cancer experience

It was April 2018, and I found a lump. It didn't hurt; it wasn't red; it was just unmistakably there.
Finding out I had cancer was like being punched in the face. We all have different experiences of how we found ourselves in the system.
To be honest, I wasn't that alarmed. My sister had a history of cysts, and I assumed, as we shared the same DNA, it was my turn to have them. I went to see my GP, who confirmed my self-diagnosis and told me it was a cyst but sent me off to have a mammogram just to 're-assure' me.
The next day, I received a phone call and began to have flutters of concern. This time I took my partner, with me.
Bloody hell, I'm glad I did!

Taken into a room with two nurses, I began to panic. I’m sure you have already had your biopsy, so you know it's not pleasant. Even though the AK-45 biopsy gun shocked me, the unknown terrified me more. By the time I put my clothes back on, I was bawling and escorted to the 'quiet room’.
"We don't know if it's cancer, but there are suspicious cells."
The worst thing is they can't tell you for certain. The biopsy has to be sent off, and the results took ten days—welcome to limbo-land.
Eventually, I was diagnosed with a Grade 3 HER2-positive tumour.
My partner and I numbly walked away and went on a crazy shopping spree returning home with shoes, an aubergine, and a mug. Strangely ravenous, we then stuffed ourselves with an all-you-can-eat Chinese meal.
The shock not only messes with your brain, but your body needs added calories to process the shock.

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    A little about me and how Lolly Pop was born
    The prospect of treatment terrified me, and I struggled and bawled my way through it. I was lonely and yearned to know more, but feared the cold medical detail in hospital pamphlets.
    So this is the guide I couldn't find!
    I hope this helps you. I've tried to keep it light-hearted with just enough detail from someone who's been through it. Once I chose Stay on the Bus as the title, it occurred to me that a lollipop lady could be my avatar. She could direct people with her giant Stop-and-Go sign, keeping them on track. It wasn't much of a leap to call her Lolly. I know you think I am on another planet, but it all made sense in my head at the time.
    I'm not sure it translates to an American audience where you have crossing guards, not Lollipop Ladies (or men), but they don't have Zebra Crossings either.

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I was a 'scaredy cat' and couldn't face the medical information 

That's why I wrote the book - Stay on the Bus

You are bombarded by all this nonsense that it a 'battle' and you 'have to fight it.' While people mean well and there is something to be said for a positive attitude. You will go through a whole series of emotions. 
As I say in the book: If you want to listen to RadioHead and eat a whole packet of tangfastics - go ahead. 

Buy the book

Email me:

andrea@stayonthebus.co.uk

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Email me:

andrea@stayonthebus.co.uk