Hello! I'm glad you're here :) My name is Sara L. Barr. One of my big passions in life is photography. Most of my presence here will be about photography, motosports photography to be specific. The rest will be random stuff I'm interested in or want to share. Over the last several years I have contemplated adding to my little section of the web with all things photography related content, but have so many other interests as well. I am now teamed up with several retail establishments that I have personally purchased from and trust, to earn a small commission if you buy from them through one of the links I have placed here. Thank you for spending time with me! ~Sara
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In 2023, an estimated 297,790 women in the United States will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 55,720 women will be diagnosed with non-invasive (in situ) breast cancer. From the mid-2000s, invasive breast cancer in women has increased by approximately half a percent each year.
Lovely support organizations to donate to :
The Blessing Box Project
Donations | Donate to Knitted Knockers
Did you know that I am a breast cancer survivor?
*this is my story, everyone's is different, if you have questions please contact me*
Just after my 50th birthday I was diagnosed with stage 0 DCIS (ductal carcinoma in situ, a tumor within the ducts at its earliest form). I chose to have a bilateral mastectomy (a double mastectomy, both breasts amputated/removed), with no reconstruction.
There are so many decisions to make in a short amount of time when you’re diagnosed, it can be very daunting and overwhelming!
**please contact me if you, or someone you know, needs support or a sympathetic ear: [email protected]**
My timeline went something like this: (from the third mammogram to the surgery=less than 3 months)
February:
Mammogram
Biopsy
MRI
Breast Cancer Navigation Nurse
Oncologist & surgeon
March:
Ultrasound (scheduled 2nd biopsy)
Genetics counseling
April:
Surgery
Pathology report
Option one; lumpectomy and 6 weeks of radiation (6 weeks, 5 days a week). Option 2; mastectomy (removal) and no radiation or chemotherapy.
Genetic counseling is cool, well at least I think so. They tested so many genetic dna markers. Turns out I have Lynch Syndrome, a genetic predisposition towards all types of cancer (meaning I have a 20% higher chance of having cancer over someone without the syndrome). I did not test positive for the BRCA gene.
The genetics appointment helped me make my decision. I called up the surgeon and asked “ if I had the bilateral mastectomy would I need the second biopsy, or radiation after?” “ No.” Good, I scheduled my surgery and cancelled the second biopsy. I did have the option for reconstruction, I opted out. Insurance does pay for reconstruction, now.
I am very fortunate that I chose this path. Pathology found cancer in my other breast as well. The first tumor was 40mm at grade 3 and the other tumors 8mm at grade 2.
I am very lucky to have caught this early. I am very grateful, between the great doctors and my family I have been recovering very well. A special thank you goes out to my husband, Steve, for his unwavering support and love. And thank you to my mother for babysitting me after surgery!
~Sara