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

A single mother who went to the doctor with a persistent cough and was diagnosed with breast cancer has suffered another heartbreaking blow in the days after Christmas.

Sara Climie, 38, was diagnosed in May after her doctor noticed a strange symptom: “hard ridges” across her right breast.

With no family history of breast cancer, the Sunshine Coast mother was shocked by the diagnosis.

“The cough was completely irrelevant, but it got me there,” the photographer and stylist said Yahoo News.

“It completely changed our lives so quickly… it took over… you never think it will happen to you.”

After months of intensive chemotherapy, nicknamed the ‘red devil’, she was given the green light to undergo a double mastectomy.

Mrs Climie was excited when she was given the ‘all clear’ and had hoped to be back to full health by Christmas.

Unfortunately, post-surgery examination revealed a 2cm tumor, meaning she will now have to undergo another nine months of chemotherapy and possibly radiation. bone injections and hormone therapy for 5-10 years.

‘I just looked at the finish line. I just told myself it was temporary and we’ll be back soon. I now realize it was wishful thinking,” Ms Climie said.

Because she cannot work, Mrs. Climie and her son live off her savings.

With many months of grueling treatments ahead, she has a… GoFundMe to ease the financial burden.

“The road ahead is overwhelming and consuming as I try to keep things as normal as possible on the home front,” she wrote.

‘I can’t work much, with side effects and appointments, and although I have been able to cope with it this year, the extra costs associated with keeping my physical and mental health strong for so much longer will be a major challenge. conflict.’

Mrs Climie does her best to avoid looking ‘sick’ in front of her son, but her condition has taken a heavy toll.

A 2cm tumor found after surgery means 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 appear as the friend and mother I have always been,” she said.

‘I did it all with a joke and a tap 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 yet.’

Proceeds will go towards Ms Climie’s mounting medical bills.

“Every contribution will be used to minimize the side effects of my chemo with pain management, mental health support and integrated oncology care,” she wrote.

‘This is a precious time of year and a wild world we live in now, but if you were planning on buying me a celebratory coffee or champagne soon, or were wondering how you can help, we’re here.’

Ms Climie also shared some heartfelt advice for every Australian woman.

“Please continue to check yourself, regardless of your age,” she said.

Breast cancer is one of the most common in Australia, with one in seven women diagnosed in their lifetime.

Although the cancer mainly affects women, men can also develop the disease.

Women aged 50 to 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.