My name: Sarah Reinold
Where I live: Bristol, CT
How far out of active treatment?: In it to win it!
My story:
Let's see... I was diagnosed Stage IV invasive ductal carcinoma in October 2018 with Mets to my L1 spine. I noticed a rather large lump in my left breast while training for my first ever half marathon. I was in denial that anything was wrong. I was focused on my training and didn’t want anything to get in my way! A couple weeks later, I felt a pain in my armpit. There was a pea sized lump when I touched it and I immediately called my primary care physician. An ultrasound, mammogram, biopsy, and PET scan confirmed it was cancer and the rest is history.
I finished chemo in January, had a double mastectomy in March, and I'll finish radiation in May! Unfortunately, it’s metastatic, so I will continue with hormone/maintenance therapy indefinitely.
Q&A
What does the word 'survivor' or 'survivorship' mean to you?
A survivor is anyone ever diagnosed with this bitch of a disease. Whether it's been hours, days, weeks or years, anyone deserves that title who lives past diagnosis!
If you had to describe what survivorship feels like in three words, what would they be?
Fuck this shit.
What's one thing you wished people outside of the cancer community understood about survivorship?
It’s exhausting. Mentally and physically exhausting. Before I was diagnosed, I never had such a legitimate fear of death before watching my babies grow up.
What are some things that have helped you during this time?
Exercise, Livestrong @ the YMCA. Waking up everyday to care for my kids (ages 2.5 & 4). They definitely got me up every morning whether I wanted to or not! And my Instagram Breasties! Following people who have been through this all before or people who are in the same boat as me has helped tremendously.
Biggest survivorship pet peeve?
"At least you caught it early..." Just because I'm young doesn’t mean I caught it early.
What, if anything do you think should be done more in the cancer community in terms of survivorship?
Funds for MBC research #metavivor ...All inclusive paid vacations for life! #butreally
What's your favorite swear word?
Fuckity Fuck.
What's your theme song?
"Man, I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain.
Consider this a free space to say anything you want about this topic. Word vomit, away. No judgement. I want the realest of the real here.
Young women are diagnosed with breast cancer way too frequently. It frustrates me that anyone has to go through this, but I can relate to the specific hardships one endures with this disease while also having young children at home, who are trying to start a career, or simply trying to stay active and healthy!
I have such a long life ahead of me and it is infuriating that my life with my family may have to be cut short. Cancer will be forever dangling in the back of my mind no matter how many times I punch it in the face.