After living a healthy life as a non-smoking and vegetarian fitness enthusiast, Sadie McKeand was shocked to receive a stage-two breast cancer diagnosis in May 2024.
Sadie’s story only confirms that cancer doesn’t discriminate. Lancaster-based Sadie is a personal trainer who has spent her life prioritising her health and well-being. She received a clear mammogram result during her 50th year, though just over two years later she found a sizable lump in her breast. She initially thought it was a symptom of hormonal changes; however, the lump didn’t go away. Biopsies and an ultrasound revealed she had stage-two invasive ductal cancer. The cancer didn’t show up on a mammogram due to dense tissue in Sadie’s breast.
Sadie is currently working with CancerCare’s therapist Jan at our Slynedales centre. She began her sessions in July, aiming to see Jan in between her chemotherapy schedule when she felt well enough.
She self-referred to CancerCare after being informed about our service offering via the breast clinic. She was initially offered massage treatment but opted to switch to counselling.
“I was in shock when I got my diagnosis and felt I needed someone to talk to once I’d started treatment; I felt like everything was on top of me,” Sadie said. “It can be difficult to talk about how you’re feeling, but Jan instantly put me at ease.
“I was so shocked that I had cancer,” added Sadie. “I was healthy, fit and active. I’m so glad that I’m aware of what’s normal for my body and was able to get checked out, though. When the lump didn’t go away, I knew it needed looking at.”
Sadie was able to schedule counselling sessions with Jan around her intensive treatment. Sadie has now finished chemotherapy and radiotherapy, though she is still experiencing a lot of fatigue and is undergoing preventative treatment.
“I have injections every three weeks and infusions every six months. I will also be on tamoxifen for 10 years,” she said. “I’m feeling a lot better, though, and I’ve started doing the things that make me feel like me, such as hiking and swimming.”
The topics discussed in therapy sessions are led by the client, as Sadie confirms: “Some weeks we talk about surface level stuff or about how my treatment is going. Other times, we go a lot deeper. I was worried about how I’d look after surgery so that was a big discussion topic for me. Once I’d finished treatment, I realised I’d been in constant survival mode, too. Even though the treatment was successful, I felt a bit lost and I needed time to process what had happened to me.
“Often, you don’t feel like talking to friends or family as you don’t want them to worry about you. You put on a brave face and make out that you’re OK, though there were times when I was so scared and upset. I would recommend CancerCare to anyone; I felt welcomed as soon as I walked through the door. Everyone has been so lovely and there is so much on offer, from one-to-one sessions to group support.
“I want to do some fundraising soon as I’d love to give something back. I’m also so grateful for the fabulous support I had from my partner, Paul, and my friends and family.”
Sadie has shared her experience of her diagnosis and treatment via blogs on her website. You can read them here: www.runninggirl.co.uk