I’ve been unusually quiet lately. No coaching posts, and I've stepped back from most of the coaching and practice work that I love. The truth is, I’ve been navigating some pretty serious health challenges.
I’m in what I like to call a “messy middle”- hiding out in my chrysalis as I focus on health and family this Summer.
At the end of January, I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in my right breast (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, Grade 2).
And I’ve dubbed this stage - “The Summer of Chemo”
Now, in August, I'm in the thick of it. I've chosen to share my journey now, not because I have a storybook ending, but because life isn't always a tidy narrative. There's honesty, complexity and even beauty in the toughest times.
I am 3 of 4 chemo treatments in at Princess Margaret Hospital and I have new breasts, minimal hair and a surprisingly healthy body. I have resigned myself to a “summer of chemo” but I have also let myself be delighted by the duality of life. I get two good weeks between treatments and I have had some really enjoyable summer moments connecting with friends and family.
Thanks to early diagnosis and a crack team at Princess Margaret, I am expected to make a full recovery. I know this is not the story for many 43 year old women, so I am humbled and incredibly grateful that this is not part of my burden.
However, I don’t want to minimize what has happened to my body and mental health since February- and none of it happened quickly. I felt like I was waiting in 2-4 week increments for every appointment, test, procedure. The Canadian health system may have top notch doctors and a free cost- but the waiting was one of the hardest experiences of my life. As a typical planner who likes control, it was incredibly hard to surrender to all the waiting. 11 weeks from diagnosis to treatment felt like a lifetime. Things would happen so slowly and then suddenly I would be faced with huge decisions overnight.
1 breast removed or two?
Implants, Flat or Immediate reconstruction?
What type of chemo?
I would NOT have made it through this part without my community, my circle of care and my crew of Cancer mentors who so generously invited me into their experience. This mentor group is my inspiration for this post.
1 in 8 women will experience breast cancer in their life- and breast cancer diagnoses in women under 50 have been rising by more than two percent annually over the past five years.
I have seen this in my community as people started to introduce me to women going through similar experiences. In fact, I met moms in both my sons' classes that were actively being treated for breast cancer and incredibly helpful to me.
These women have walked kilometers with me, shared their experiences, feelings (and new breasts!), bald selfies and advice as I navigate this new challenge. It brought me community, hope and strength as I worked through my experience.
Now, I want to offer the same.
If you or someone you know is navigating a breast cancer diagnosis, please know I am here as a resource and supportive ear.
What I have experience and can talk to:
2x cancer survivor (I was high risk from Mantle Radiation for Hodgkin's Lymphoma at 18)
Double Mastectomy with Immediate DIEP Flap reconstruction
TC Chemo & Hair loss
Forced Menopause (and those pesky hot flashes)
Princess Margaret Health Team (Toronto)
Advocating for care (SUPER important)
Mom with cancer (2 sons, 9 & 12)
Building community and the importance of asking for help
I have more to share - but I will leave it here today.
✨Coach Sara ✨
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