It was a rainy day in May 2022, when my breast cancer was discovered. I was 43. The only reason it was found was because I was all about self-examination. I had very lumpy breasts and even a slight flu would cause my breasts to feel differently. In April, after a bout with Covid, I found a tiny pebble in my left breast. My doctor found it suspicious and sent me for an ?emergency? mammogram (which took 2.5 weeks).

That was the day that the person I was, the Sara that everyone knew, died.

After biopsies in my breast and armpit lymph nodes, they discovered Triple Negative Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, suspected Stage 2B. I was afraid, but it was the treatment and surgery that nearly killed me.

16 rounds of four different chemotherapies, one of which I was allergic to. I had to be heavily medicated to help with the side effects and my deteriorating mental health. Two weeks into my treatment with Paclitaxel, I developed chemo rash all over my body and scalp (think of the worst sunburn you?ve had and add some poison ivy), which was followed quickly by chemo feet (the bottoms of my feet turned into puss-filled blisters).

This is when I became suicidal. I was ready to let the cancer have me.

Here in Manitoba, we are blessed to have some of the best cancer care, which includes mental health supports. Nearly two years later, I still access that support. I believe my therapist saved my life during my treatment.

After chemotherapy, my surgeon recommended a single mastectomy, but I fought for a bilateral mastectomy. I had researched my risk factors: never had children, young, was triple negative (extremely aggressive and has a high rate of recurrence), my grandmother on my father?s side had breast cancer twice in her early forties, and, the most important factor, I was never, ever going to take Paclitaxel again. My surgeon agreed. On January 30, 2023, I had a bilateral mastectomy with direct to implant reconstruction.

From February to July, I had a lot of complications. I stayed overnight due to the pain (bilateral mastectomy is considered day surgery), I had infection after infection, visited the emergency room four times in two months, developed a pulmonary embolism and was admitted for a week, had three revision surgeries to fix various problems, and took 16 rounds of antibiotics between October 2022 and July 2023. By August 2023, I was in physiotherapy for 2 frozen
shoulders, was being treated for carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, planter fasciitis, lymphedema, suspected rheumatoid arthritis, and pinched and damaged nerves throughout my body. Further, I was in psychology for my mental health and occupational therapy to try and get me back to work. 2024 brought another surgery to fix capsular contracture (scar tissue build up around my implant).

This is the Coles notes of my story. I continue to use my story to make change. I have been featured as a survivor story through CancerCare Manitoba Foundation – shown on their social media, in the newspaper and in their email marketing. I have participated in 4 fundraising walk/runs for CancerCare, the Never Alone Foundation, and the Canadian Cancer Society. I contributed five pieces of original artwork as a gift to legacy donors to CancerCare Manitoba Foundation. Further, I have written a book on my cancer experience – it will make you laugh, make you cry and, hopefully, make you think deeper about people living with cancer, the language we use surrounding cancer, and the way we treat cancer patients and their caregivers.

It is my mission to make change. Please change the age and save lives. I am a daughter, a sister and an auntie. Think of your mothers, sisters and daughters. Do you know 8 women? One of them will develop breast cancer. The earlier breast cancer is found, the more likely she will survive. Close the gap and save her life.

DBC Note: Sara, Thank you for bravely sharing your experience. Your courage sheds light on important challenges and your powerful voice inspires change. Thank you for helping push for earlier detection and equitable screening for all.