Sarah's Story

Stories of breast cancer can be very different, with various symptoms and treatments.  Some people like myself are lucky to have made it through the worst but continue to fight, because in reality it is never really over.  Some people are not so lucky. Everyone they know is affected and lives change forever.  It is so important to keep people aware of breast cancer and share stories, so that people know that they are not alone.  With the help of each other, the fight will continue.

This is my story (The brief version! J)...

In 2004 I had a sharp stabbing pain in my left breast that would come and go.  As a result I ignored it for some time.  I felt for a lump but I wasn’t sure if it was a lump or not and it seemed to keep moving.  There was nothing definite.  After a while I thought I had better get it checked at the doctors.   She examined me and couldn’t feel anything either.  But to be on the safe side she referred me to a breast surgeon for further investigation.

At the breast clinic the doctor couldn’t feel anything either, however he sent me for an ultrasound to be on the safe side.  The doctor who carried this scan out did not seem too concerned.  She told me that the majority of cancers are not painful, it didn’t run in my family and that I was too young to get breast cancer.  I was 26.  The scan didn’t show anything and I came away feeling a little silly for wasting people’s time.

A year later the stabbing pains were worse and my left breast had completely changed shape.  I went back to the hospital, the surgeon still couldn’t feel anything but was worried about the change in shape.  I had another ultrasound.  This time a slight shadow could be seen, the doctor did a biopsy.  Mammograms do not work on young women because the density of the breast is different.

A week later the results were back and life was never quite the same again.  I was 27.  The cancer was unique (like me) and very advanced.  The plan was to have chemotherapy first to try and shrink the tumour and then have a mastectomy and then radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy took its toll, but at the time I ignored how terrible I felt, I carried on working and going out with friends as much as I could.  The hardest part for me was when my hair started to fall out.  I shaved it all off as soon as possible and wore scarves and wigs.  My friends were brilliant and we had fun accessorising my new look!

The mastectomy operation was the time when everything caught up with me.  My boyfriend at the time couldn’t handle it and we split up soon after and I had to live with one breast.  The nurses were great and I had a prosthesis to make me feel better.  It was nowhere near the same but better than nothing.  Then came the extra that I wasn’t expecting.  I had an appointment with the oncologist after the surgery and she broke the news that I should have more chemotherapy before radiotherapy.  I was devastated!  It felt like the goal posts were being moved and I didn’t know if I could handle another 4 months of chemo.  With the help of my family and friends the strength came from somewhere.  I suppose when faced with these challenges, you just have to get on with it!  Well that’s what I kept telling myself and it seemed to work.

After all that chemo, radiotherapy seemed like a breeze.  When the treatment was all over, it felt strange.  No one ever says, “Well done, you have beat cancer, have a good life.”  There is no closure to all the treatments.  You continue to have check ups, you are reminded what you have been through every time you look in the mirror. 

Five years on I have had breast reconstruction, my hair has grown back and all my yearly MRI’s have come back clear.  My life is pretty much back to normal.  I went back to university to study for my Masters Degree and I am now working as a Kindergarten teacher in London.  There really is life after cancer and if anything, it helps you to appreciate life and not to get stressed out by the little things.  You also realise who your true friends are in time of need.  I am so proud of Janeen and all that she has achieved by organising these tournements for the past 5 years!  On behalf of everyone who has ever been affected by cancer, thank you for all your efforts, you are fabulous!!  The most important message here is; never to give up and enjoy every moment and don’t forget to check your breasts!!

With Breast Wishes

Sarah xx