I Had a Midlife Health Scare — Here’s What I Learned
- Barbara Stratte
- Jun 5, 2025
- 4 min read
It started as a routine exam — the kind you squeeze into your calendar between work, errands, and dinner plans — and turned into a five-week emotional roller coaster I never saw coming.
During my checkup, they found something on my right breast that didn’t look quite right. That led to an ultrasound… and then a biopsy. When the results came back negative for cancer, I breathed the biggest sigh of relief. I thought I was in the clear.
But then a nurse called and said, “You need to schedule an appointment with a surgeon.”
I thought, “Sure, I’ll do that at my next visit.” You know — eventually.
A month passed. Then Nurse Kate — who I now think of as my guardian angel — called again. She gently but firmly said, “I see you haven’t scheduled that appointment. You really need to. Please call me back once you do.”
That was the moment I decided to take it seriously.
When I finally saw the surgeon, I was stunned. She told me I had a radial scar the size of a ping pong ball — something that can sometimes hide cancer cells. Because of my age and the size, they needed to do a contrast MRI and then remove it surgically.
I sat there in silence, as if I was watching a movie about someone else. “Wow, that’s awful,” I thought — until it hit me: This is happening to me.
It was a gut punch. A whirlwind of four appointments in rapid succession, weeks of waiting, wondering, and holding my breath.
Cancer runs in my family. My dad passed away from a brain tumor 28 years ago, so I know that fear. I carry it.
The contrast MRI was necessary — and terrifying. I was so anxious about the contrast dye and what they might find. What helped? A simple mantra: “I am safe. I am healthy.” And thank God for the headphones. I picked U2 — a throwback to my childhood and one of my all-time favorite bands. Their music transported me. It was like I was in my own music video, trying to stay calm in a moment that felt anything but.
(Do you ever do that too — pick the soundtrack to your life when things get tough?)
Next came the procedure to insert a marker in the tissue, then pre-op with the surgeon. She explained they’d be removing the entire area and testing it thoroughly for cancer. And it could take a week to get results.
Thankfully, I’m one of the lucky ones — surrounded by the kind of friends who feel like soulmates. My dear friend Lindsey was by my side on surgery day, and her steady, loving presence grounded me in a way I didn’t even know I needed. Sitting there with her, I felt my fear soften. I wasn’t terrified anymore — I was ready. Ready to let go of the unknown, to release the weight I’d been carrying, to finally move forward — physically, emotionally, spiritually.
The surgery itself went smoothly (though the meds turned me into a complete zombie — let’s be honest, not my most graceful moment). But it was in recovery, after two bags of saline, when the dam broke. Out of nowhere, the tears came — huge, messy, heaving sobs. The kind that leave you gasping and grateful all at once. It wasn’t pretty, but it was perfect. It was release. It was everything I had been holding in — the fear, the what-ifs, the waiting. Gone, in a puddle of tears.
And through it all, I was wrapped in love. Real, generous, show-up-when-it-counts love. Friends and family surrounded me with flowers, meals for my family, texts that made me cry-laugh, cards filled with hope, and messages that reminded me I wasn’t alone. I felt held. I felt carried. I felt loved in the deepest way — the kind of love that heals you from the inside out.
After 5 weeks of stress, worry and trying to stay positive, finally, the call: No cancer found.
So many tears of relief. Deep gratitude. A sense of being cracked open in the best way.
Here’s What I Learned:
Don’t do it alone. Let people in. Vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s the glue that holds us together.
Tell your close friends. Their love and support matter more than you know.
Self-care is not a luxury — it’s a non-negotiable.
Stay on top of your health. You pay for that expensive insurance — use it.
Exercise for the long game. Not just for how you look — but how you live.
Find your mantra. Mine through this was “I am healthy. I am loved.” What’s yours?
Be your own advocate. Ask questions. Follow up. Trust your gut. Use the tools and information that are out there now. Be proactive.
Midlife is no joke. Whether it’s your health, your family, your aging parents, or the big life transitions that hit when you least expect it — just know this:
You are not alone.
You are strong.You are loved.You are needed.
Keep showing up for your life. One appointment, one breath, one mantra at a time.
Big hugs,
Barbara
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
This journey is long, emotional, and often lonely—but it doesn’t have to be.
I’m here to walk it with you. Whether you’re just noticing the signs or knee-deep in decisions, there’s support for everystage.
How I can help you:
Book a 1-on-1 Guidance Session or a Care Chat with me at TheSandwichedGen.com. We’ll talk it through, map out a plan, and lighten the load.
📘 Want a clear step-by-step roadmap?
Get my eBook:When Roles Reverse: A Roadmap for Caring for Aging ParentsIt’s packed with practical tips to help you:
Know when and how to step in
Have hard conversations with less stress
Respect their independence while ensuring their care
Avoid the chaos of last-minute decisions
👉 Grab your copy here.
📲 And don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @BarbaraStratte
I share daily encouragement, real-life tools, and truths you won’t find in a medical pamphlet
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