Single mum Sara thought she had a cough until her doctor noticed a strange symptom which turned her life upside down. This is her message to Aussie women
- Sara Climie was diagnosed with breast cancer
- She faces a second round of chemotherapy
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A single mother who went to her doctor with a persistent cough and was diagnosed with breast cancer has copped a fresh heartbreaking blow days out from Christmas.
Sara Climie, 38, was diagnosed in May after her doctor noted an odd symptom, 'hard ridges' over her right breast.
With no family history of breast cancer, the Sunshine Coast mum was shocked by the diagnosis.
'The cough was completely irrelevant but it just got me there,' the photographer and stylist told Yahoo News.
'It completely changed our lives so fast... it took over... you never think it's going to happen to you.'
After months of intense chemotherapy, nicknamed the 'red devil', she was given the green light to undergo a double mastectomy.
Ms Climie was excited to be given the 'all clear' and had hoped to bounce back to full health by Christmas.
Sadly, a post-surgery examination found a 2cm tumour, which means she now faces another nine months of another chemotherapy, possible radiation. bone injections and hormone therapy for 5-10 years.
Sara Climie (pictured) was diagnosed with the cancer in May after going to her doctor for a persistent cough
'I was just looking to the finish line. I was just telling myself that it was temporary and we will be back soon. I realise now it was wishful thinking,' Ms Climie said.
Unable to work, Ms Climie and her young son have lived off her savings.
With many months of gruelling treatments ahead, she has created a GoFundMe to ease the financial burden.
'The road ahead is overwhelming and consuming me, while I try to keep things as normal as possible on the home front,' she wrote.
'I'm not able to work much, with side effects and appointments, and while I've been able to swing it this year, the extra costs involved in keeping my physical and mental health strong for so much longer is going to be a struggle.'
Ms Climie tries her best to avoid looking 'sick' in front of her son but her condition has taken a heavy toll.
A 2cm tumour found post surgery means that Sara Climie (pictured) faces another nine months of chemotherapy and possible radiation
'The loss of my independence, my energy, my breasts, career, hair, social life, ability to show up as the friend and mum I've always been,' she said.
'I've done it all with a little joke and a flick of my wig, knowing it would be over soon.
'We thought we were done. He thinks we're done. And we're not even halfway there.'
The proceeds will go towards Ms Climie's mounting medical bills.
'Any contributions will be used to minimise my chemo side effects with pain management, mental health support and integrative oncology care,' she wrote.
'This is a costly time of year and a wild world we’re now living in, but if you were planning on buying me a celebratory coffee or champagne soon, or have been wondering how to help, then here we are.'
Ms Climie also shared a heartfelt piece of advice for every Aussie woman.
'Please keep checking yourself, no matter your age,' she said.
Breast cancer is one the most common in Australia with one in seven women diagnosed in their lifetime.
While the cancer predominantly affects women, men can also get the disease.
Women aged 50-74 are eligible for a free mammogram every two years through the BreastScreen Australia program.
Early symptoms include the formation of lumps and a change in the size or shape of the breast.
