Experienced journalist and senior national correspondent for CNN Sara Sidner has made a name for herself, telling inspiring tales of adversity overcome by perseverance.
CNN’s Sara Sidner has told many tales of people who overcame great obstacles and developed a completely different perspective on life. But she didn’t realize how important it is to value the basic act of breathing until she was recently diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.
Sidner notes in her mind how the experience has been extremely beneficial for her and how it has made her appreciate life’s beauty. “I love my life now more than I can remember since probably seven or eight,” she said. I am incredibly appreciative simply to be here.” In an interview with CNN News Central, Sidner revealed her diagnosis and discussed how it had changed her outlook.
Sara Sidner covered the war between Israel and Hamas in October
While covering the war between Israel and Hamas in October, Sara Sidner’s mammography revealed alarming results. She spent three weeks in a war zone with an underlying sense of dread, knowing that she would need a biopsy when she got back to the United States.
Sidner found himself surrounded by people who were displaying extreme suffering with dignity and kindness, and he was struck by their fortitude. She was surprisingly better prepared to handle any personal news that awaited her back home after this experience in a war-torn region.
Sara Sidner on discovering stage 3 cancer
Sara Sidner was relieved to learn that the lump she had discovered months earlier was cancerous and had progressed to stage 3, as a biopsy performed soon after her return to New York confirmed her fears. Sidner was so shocked by the news that she decided to keep it to herself and not tell anyone, even her loved ones, so she could have time to process it.
Sidner’s initial thoughts were oriented toward the worst-case scenario, regarding the diagnosis as potentially fatal. She said, “The first thing I thought of was, ‘You better start writing letters to the people you love because you’re not going to be here,'” as she sobbed as she thought back on that occasion.
She started writing a heartfelt letter to her mother, who was going through her own health issues at the time, as a result of this emotional reaction.
Sara Sidner struggled with a sense of helplessness for several days before realizing that she would need months of treatment and that giving up was not an option. She resolved to fight, determined to use every tactic at her disposal to overcome the obstacles in her path. Remarkably, this choice made her happier than she had been before her cancer diagnosis.
Sidner no longer wakes up stressed out by the little things in life; instead, she is happy to wake up every day and feels thankful for just being alive. She hasn’t missed a day of work despite receiving chemotherapy; two days after beginning treatment, she was present at the 17th Annual CNN Heroes red carpet event, and she hosted a live New Year’s Eve special until two in the morning.
Sara Sidner has decided to openly discuss her battle with breast cancer
Sidner, who is nearing the end of her first chemotherapy cycle, acknowledges the exhaustion and slower pace brought on by the treatment, but she is determined not to let life stop for her.
Sara Sidner has decided to openly discuss her battle with breast cancer before any noticeable changes become too obvious, despite the fact that she views herself as a private person and is not used to talking about her health in public.
She highlights the scrutiny her hairstyle receives online, which makes it difficult to hide any changes, including hair loss from treatment, acknowledging the impact of her career in television, especially as a woman.
Sidner is investigating cold capping technology in an attempt to reduce hair loss while she undergoes radiation, chemotherapy, and a double mastectomy, which should take about five months.
She admits that there has been a noticeable change despite her efforts. Sidner, who typically prefers her privacy, sees a chance to spread awareness and encourages women to self-check frequently, stressing the importance of early detection.
Sidner emphasizes that overcoming obstacles doesn’t mean the end of the world and hopes that her newfound strength will serve as an inspiration to others who are struggling with a diagnosis. She reminds people that life is short and inspires them to enjoy the moment.
