An inspirational story: SaCarrie Rogers

My name is SaCarrie Rogers, and I am an 8-year cancer survivor.  

I was diagnosed with Stage 1 cancer in my right breast in 2015. At the time, I was working for Bayhealth in General Surgery, so after I discovered the lump, I immediately asked a nurse to examine it. She recommended I get a mammogram.

I was 32 years old with four young children at home. My mammogram came back suspicious, and I was told I needed a biopsy. The process happened so fast that I had no time to process it.

Everything was scheduled for me from the biopsy, to the surgery and oncology appointments. I can still remember it like it was yesterday. When I arrived at the hospital for surgery, it was the most painful day of my life. I felt every needle and blade, I was very terrified. After surgery, the medication they gave me caused me to have a seizure and it was very difficult to wake up. I was a fall risk and labeled a breast cancer patient.  

Next, I had to see the oncologist, so I met with Dr. Khan to discuss my treatment plan. I didn't want to go through chemotherapy due to the side effects, but I had my first treatment on June 5 and I was given Doxorubicin, also known as “the red devil.”

I had two months of chemotherapy and then two months of Texatore. I lost my hair and had mouth sores. I couldn’t eat or help my kids. I couldn’t stand in the shower, so my husband had to bathe me. I developed anxiety and depression. I needed help. My mom moved in with us to help me and support my children.

After chemotherapy, I met with my oncologist, and he said they had tested my tumor six months after my therapy and it was still growing. If I had waited until I was 40 to have a mammogram, the cancer would have metastasized.  

Soon after that, I was given radiation on the right side of my chest. When I met the radiation oncologist, he tried to explain to me that it would feel like sunburn. I looked at him and said, “Does it look like I know what a sunburn feels like?” He said, “You will.”

"Overall, this was not a pleasant experience, but I am here to tell my story and for that I am thankful. I grow stronger every day."