For Sarah LeClair-Jones of Waverly, annual mammograms have been a part of her health routine since she was 30. After losing an aunt to breast cancer, she understood the importance of staying on top of her breast health. Year after year, her screenings were clear, so when she went in for a routine mammogram, she had little reason to believe this one would be any different. “I wasn’t worried about the outcome of that mammogram,” Sarah said. “After all, I had years of clear screenings. Even when there was a suspected issue, I thought it was unlikely to be cancer.”
This time it was different.
In September 2024, she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a form of breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts and spreads into the surrounding breast tissue. Unlike cancer that remains contained within the ducts, invasive breast cancer has the potential to spread to other parts of the body. The diagnosis brought questions and uncertainty, but Sarah said she never found herself asking, “Why me?” “Instead, I thought, ‘Why not me?’ knowing how common breast cancer is becoming,” she said. “I felt confident in the team who was treating me.”
That confidence, along with her faith, the support of her husband, Brent, family and friends, helped carry her through to what came next.
A Navigator and Friend
One of the people beside Sarah was Waverly Health Center’s (WHC) Breast Care Navigator Emily Schut. Their connection, however, began long before Sarah became a patient. The two have been friends for about 20 years. Emily, also a breast cancer survivor, was able to personally understand the many emotions, questions and uncertainties that can come with a diagnosis. “What a gift to have someone so knowledgeable and caring in my corner,” Sarah said. “Emily treats everyone in her care as she would an old friend.”
Confidence in the Care Ahead
When it came time to choose a surgeon, a friend recommended Dr. Jayson Gesme. Dr. Gesme, a board-certified breast surgeon, has been specializing in breast health for over 20 years. “He spent so much time with me at my initial appointment and answered all of my questions; it seemed like I was his only patient that afternoon,” Sarah said. She left her appointment feeling better than when they arrived. “We had learned so much and felt confident in the plan and in Dr. Gesme,” she shared.
That October, Sarah underwent a lumpectomy to remove the cancer and a small amount of surrounding breast tissue. The surgery was a success, and Sarah did not need further chemotherapy or other treatments. Today, Sarah continues to see Dr. Gesme for regular appointments at Waverly Health Center. Having breast imaging, navigation and surgical care locally has helped ease some of the stress of Sarah’s journey, allowing her to spend less time traveling for appointments and more time focused on her care and recovery. “Having my appointments with him at Waverly Health Center takes one more worry off my plate. I can see a surgeon I trust without having to leave Waverly,” Sarah said.
Leaning on Others for Support
Sarah’s connection to WHC didn’t end after her treatment. As she and other women began connecting over their shared experiences, Emily saw an opportunity to bring this support to more people. When the WHC breast care support group was formed, Sarah knew she had to be a part of it. “Giving and receiving support, learning from experts on a great variety of topics relevant to our survivorship, and hearing what I call ‘breast-imonies’ from fellow survivors have enhanced my well-being in all areas,” Sarah said.
The support group has grown to over 30 women from area communities and has given Sarah something that medical treatment alone cannot provide. It gave her a support system of people that understood her experience because they lived it too. “I have formed friendships and have felt less alone,” she said. “It’s amazing to have a group of women who really understand what I have gone through. They are available to answer questions, commiserate, laugh and cry. It’s all part of the journey, and it enriches my life to be a part of it.”
Knowing That You’re Never Alone
Looking back, Sarah knows just how overwhelming a breast cancer diagnosis can be. “The time of the initial diagnosis is the hardest part, in my opinion,” she said. “There are so many unknowns and a great deal to figure out.” It’s why she hopes other women facing a new diagnosis will allow themselves to lean on the people around them for support. “Seek out others who have been through breast cancer and allow us to support you,” Sarah said. “Know that you have every chance to survive and thrive after breast cancer.”
For Sarah, that support has taken on many forms: a husband and family rallying around her, a surgeon and care team who made her feel heard and supported and a group of women to listen, laugh and cry alongside each other. Together, they are reminders that while breast cancer may be part of Sarah’s story, she never had to face it alone.
