ST. PAUL – Louise Sadlowski recommends a regular mammogram, even to women living healthy lifestyles - because cancer can happen to anyone.
In July of 2024, Sadlowski went for a regular mammogram. For her, it was akin to just another checkup. By August, the results came back and there was a lump in her left breast.
At the age of 61, she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer.
But she did not break down. She felt no fear. Instead, “I felt sad.”
“Sad, that I would be putting people through it again.”
Six months after her diagnosis, one of Sadlowski’s siblings, who had been fighting breast cancer for many years, passed away. It was difficult for the family.
The hardest part, according to Sadlowski, was telling her three sons about her breast cancer. “I couldn’t look at them in the eye and tell them,” she says.
But she had to tell them. They were sad and afraid.
She understood. It is not easy to have a mother with so much life left in her to suddenly be facing “a battle for their life.”
“I never felt sorry for myself. I felt sad for my kids, my husband, and my grandchildren,” she says.
Challenges
After her diagnosis, she still felt as good as before. She waited to see what her treatment would be. But she did have to make some tough decisions.
Sadlowski has been running a day home and caring for children in the community for 38 years. She realized she had to be careful and made the decision to close her day home.
Because she was self-employed, she was not eligible for employment insurance (EI).
This caused some financial stress for her family.
“Everything now is expensive,” she acknowledges.
What troubled her, however, was that she felt as if she was not doing her part to contribute to the household, but added, “Not that anybody ever complained.”
“My husband would never say anything,” and only kept supporting her.
But it wasn't only losing income from the childcare services she offered that troubled her most, it was being unable to guide and care for the children she has been helping take care of.
“I usually watch them grow right [until] they're five years old and start school full time,” she reminisced. “It's about you not being able to do the things you love, because it's totally out of your control.”
Surgery
Sadlowski was scheduled for lumpectomy in December 2024. It was a surgical procedure that would remove a lump of her breast tissue.
But after the procedure, there were still cancer cells that remained.
“So, my surgeon and I made a decision that it would be best for me to get a mastectomy,” which is the surgical procedure that removes all breast tissue on an affected breast.
Sadlowski had mastectomy in February of this year and is now cancer free.
She is scheduled for further radiation treatments in the future to make sure her cancer does not return.
If all goes well, Sadlowski hopes to reopen her day home in September and continue doing what she loves “for many more years to come.”
“I’m young at heart,” she adds, with a laugh.
Haying in the 30’s
Despite the challenges and tears, she was grateful for all the support she received.
Haying in the 30s Cancer Support Society, for example, reached out to her with financial support.
It helped, she says, because when she had to go to her appointments, she had to drive all the way to Edmonton and back.
“So, that’s gas money, and food,” she says, as well as accommodations when required.
“[The Society] volunteers their time away from their families so they can better someone else’s life. That tells you who they are,” she says.
Fern Jean, president of Haying in the 30’s, says everyone knows someone who has battled cancer.
“It affects everyone physically, emotionally, spiritually and financially,” she says.
It’s the financial burden the society hopes to ease.
“Any recipient of Haying in the 30’s knows that they have the support of their community behind them.”
The Society helped over 500 people last year and hopes to help more this year.
Every August long weekend, a parcel of land near Mallaig, in the County of St. Paul, is transformed into a small village from the 1930s. Volunteers gather to put on historically accurate displays, showcasing how jobs such as farming, blacksmithing, and more were done nearly 100 years ago.
The site is home to many historic buildings that have been brought to the site from across Alberta. Thousands of people attend the long weekend event, and hundreds of thousands of dollars are raised through donations.
More support
Sadlowski also thanked friends and families, both near and far, as well as the surgeon and the nurses at the hospital. “They have been so kind and supportive,” she says. “It keeps a person humble . . . and thankful.”
Her husband also remained a stalwart through it all. She described him as a silent man, but someone who was always there.
“At the end of the day, somebody's taking care of you.”
As time goes on, Sadlowski remains unafraid.
“It is what it is,” she says. “I keep a positive mind, and I have wonderful people who I surround myself with.”
“You just have to stay positive and keep fighting for yourself and hope for the best outcome,” she adds.
For now, Sadlowski goes on walks to keep herself physically healthy and busy. She spends more time with friends and family and keeps her life as normal as possible.
