Sarah Dalgarno knew she had breast cancer before she was ever told the news by her consultant.
The Fraserburgh woman gave birth to her son Travis on December 28, 2015, and the very next day, was prescribed medication to halt the production of her breast milk.
It didn’t take her long to realise that, just when she should have been at her happiest, there was a problem.
As she said: “In that moment, when I was handed the pills, I knew there was something wrong.”
The following day, her doctor told her she had a tumour in her right breast.
The diagnosis came after she discovered a lump during pregnancy and underwent multiple tests and scans.
She was subsequently informed that the course of treatment for Grade 3 Triple Negative breast cancer consisted of six rounds of chemotherapy, a lumpectomy and lymph node clearance and 19 rounds of radiotherapy.
Her partner of eight years, Christopher Young, was by her side every step of the way, but because she didn’t want to worry friends and family, Ms Dalgarno told nobody else about her illness until a couple of days before her treatment began.
“Throughout the tests and scans, I felt as though all my options were being taken away from me,” she said.
“But when the diagnosis was official, I was determined that I was going to be in control and not the cancer.”
She decided to cut her hair into a short bob before chemotherapy started and donated the locks to the Little Princess Trust.
“When my hair came out I went by the saying ‘bald is the new beautiful’,” she said.
“I always thought I would crumble if something like this happened to me, but I was stronger than I thought.
“I went through treatment for the entire first year of Travis’ life, but sitting in the corner crying wasn’t going to get me anywhere.
“I have always been a bit stubborn and I think that helped me get through everything.
“People hear the word cancer and they think that’s it, there are no positives.
“But there are. I have cancer to thank for switching something on inside me.”
Travis is now a healthy and vibrant two-year-old and her mum has embraced her new-found model status.
She is looking forward to her weekend on the catwalk at the Beach Ballroom on May 12 and 13.
Ms Dalgarno said: “I don’t tell my story for pity or glory, but I do want to raise awareness.
“Even if it just one person reading this and decides to check themselves, that will be a step in the right direction.
“It’s a shame that most people don’t realise the amazing work Friends of Anchor does until they or a loved one ends up in the Anchor Unit.
“The staff in the ward couldn’t be nicer. Every time I went in, it was like seeing friends I have known for years.
“The wellbeing services are a welcome distraction and the medical equipment and research are such big things for future care. I would like more people to know that.”
