Life is busy for Sabrina, a mother of two sons and a grandmother. She is the caregiver for her youngest son, who is 25 and has autism and cerebral palsy. “I’m used to taking care of his medical issues and advocating for him,” she said. “I’m used to asking questions.”
In February 2023, Sabrina was preparing for a much needed vacation. She was shopping for bathing suits when her hand brushed across her right breast and she felt something. “I thought it was probably a cyst,” she recalled. “But something was nudging at me. My spirit was telling me it was something else.”
Taking Action
Sabrina called her doctor. “I told them I had to get in, that something was wrong, and they said they were booked,” she explained. “I told them no, I needed to get in because I felt a lump. They found an open appointment four days later, but it was two hours away. I took it.”
Not wanting to miss her appointment or arrive late, Sabrina stayed at a hotel the night before her appointment. The next morning, a 3D mammogram and breast ultrasound showed there was something in Sabrina’s right breast. A biopsy soon confirmed it was stage 2B breast cancer.
“Because of my son, I know the importance of following up, so I reached out and got a second and a third opinion,” Sabrina said. “Then I was comfortable starting treatment.”
Treatment Begins
Sabrina had a lumpectomy in April 2023. In May, her doctor let her go on her planned vacation, a seven day cruise. “I went and enjoyed myself, because I knew I wouldn’t be traveling again for another year,” she said.
When Sabrina returned, she began chemotherapy, which left her exhausted. “I was tired and I didn’t feel good. Everything tasted like tin,” Sabrina said. “As a medical mom, I’m used to jumping in and finding out whatever I can, so I was proactive. I joined support groups, I looked at Komen’s website, I did whatever I could to be comfortable and prepared.”
An Unexpected Find
Initially, Sabrina’s treatment plan called for just a lumpectomy, but a breast MRI she had after the lumpectomy unexpectedly revealed a spot on her left breast. “I decided right then, enough was enough, I was ready to part ways with my breasts,” she said.
Two weeks after finishing chemotherapy, Sabrina had a bilateral mastectomy and lymph node removal, choosing to not have breast reconstruction. “I was sore after surgery and uncomfortable. I had to deal with the drains,” she said. “But I chose to look at it as a process. I couldn’t control it, so I managed it.”
Continuing Treatment
Once she had healed from surgery, Sabrina underwent radiation. She is on Verzenio for the next two years and Letrozole for 10 years. Every four weeks, she sees her doctor to check her white blood cell count.
Caregiver to Self-Advocate
Sabrina believes being her son’s caretaker and advocate helped prepare her for her breast cancer diagnosis. “There are some people who don’t go through anything hard and when they’re it with something, it’s difficult,” she said. “But I handle so much for my son that I was already prepared. I was in a good headspace. I knew how to advocate.”
Holding Onto Hope
Sabrina is doing everything she can to live a healthy, productive life. “I want to live a long time. I want to see my grandson grow up,” she said. “Survival is not just overcoming illness, but holding onto hope, courage and the belief that we’re never alone.”
Listen to more of Sabrina’s story on Komen’s Real Pink podcast.
Statements and opinions expressed are those of the individual and do not express the views or opinions of Susan G. Komen. This information is being provided for educational purposes only and is not to be construed as medical advice. Persons with breast cancer should consult their health care provider with specific questions or concerns about their treatment.
