We first met Sarah two years ago in an AerialYOGA class. She had lost her job and gone through a difficult breakup, so she "wasn't in a good place in [her] life." After seeing a Good Morning America segment on the benefits of aerial yoga, she did a Google search and found us. She was understandably nervous her first class--first time in the studio and no friends were able to join her--but she fell in love with it. The class had her "laughing and feeling like a five year old," so she continued with it for another three months; loving our community's fun and encouraging atmosphere, while increasing her upper body strength and overall flexibility. During the studio's Halloween party of that year, she won a gift certificate for her sexy costume and used it towards pole classes that Melanie (studio owner) had wanted her to try. Sure enough, she became hooked to pole and further inspired when she saw our instructor, Sara, do an Extended Butterfly trick. "I don't realize I'm working out. I have fun," Sarah tells us with a glowing smile, about taking our classes. So much fun in fact, she has managed to recruit some more regulars to our growing family.

A mastectomy, let alone a double, isn't an easy thing for any woman to hear; especially when you're young, single, and your future--when it comes to starting a family--unknown. Testimonials she watched, all had women in their 50's and 60's that had had children and husbands. The phrase, "my husband loves me regardless" became repetitive. Though the information was meant to help her cope, it made her feel more isolated. It's been difficult finding young women like her, facing the same challenges and health scares, to talk to.

Though she doubted she'd ever have the strength for it, Sarah exceeded her Extended Butterfly goal, after a couple of years, by getting Aysha (see picture)! It was a truly proud moment for all of us, as it was the Saturday before her double mastectomy surgery. The strength from aerial classes and her healthy eating habits gave her an advantage with surgery recovery. She had a "simple" mastectomy and was able to start the breast reconstruction process immediately with expansion implants that she amusingly calls "turtle shells" because of their shape and hard texture. And since her lymph nodes proved clear of cancer, she became cancer free that day--no radiation needed!

Visits from Sarah's family and friends keep her spirits up and prevent her from becoming a hermit. As we all know, the worse we feel--for any reason--the more likely we will stay on the sofa. The therapy was difficult and painful, but she was released from that too and when her days allow--meaning the effects from chemo the most bearable--she continues her rehabilitation with ballet classes and private Pilates sessions with Melanie. These have increased her ROM further and helped her pay attention to keeping proper form when reaching, standing, and working out.

Check yourself and know your body. Your breast tissue extends from your collar bones to down below the breast and around up into the armpits; so feel the surrounding areas, not just your breasts. If you question anything, get it checked out, because the earlier the diagnosis, the better your chances are for survival and that's something to be grateful for!