Sarah Kikuchi

HALIFAX HONOURED HERO

My name is Sarah Kikuchi, I am 28 years old, and I am an elementary school teacher.

I was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on July 21st, 2018 at 27 years old. In the weeks leading up to my diagnosis I was nauseated and fatigued, I had pain in my hip, I had headaches, and I was out of breath doing simple things like going up stairs. I attributed it all to stress and from not going to the gym for a couple months. I ended up in the emergency room after fainting, breaking a rib and puncturing my lung in the process. A few days later, after blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy, I found out I had ALL and began the Dana Farber protocol.

The first month as an inpatient on the hematology floor was the most physically difficult. Once in remission at the end of that month I was able to continue with the next phases as an outpatient. These phases included brain radiation, lumbar punctures, IV chemo, oral chemo, and steroids. Unfortunately the steroids caused avascular necrosis (AVN) in my hips and shoulders. I will be replacing both hips and currently have a subcortical fracture in my right shoulder.

Some side effects of treatment have been quite challenging. Hair loss, weight changes, muscle loss, reduced mobility due to AVN, and upcoming hip surgeries have all greatly affected my identity. However, some positive things to come out of this experience have been becoming more reflective, kinder, and wiser. I believe I have gained better perspective and am happy to report that my sense of humour has remained intact and continues to help me cope.

I feel proud to have been able to continue and graduate with my master’s degree in education, to begin a program at NSCAD, to remain positive about my diagnosis, to keep writing and doing things I enjoy and am passionate about, and to continue focusing on a hopeful future in spite of my diagnosis and ongoing treatment (weekly bloodwork and chemo). I feel very humbled to be one of the Honoured Heroes for Light the Night 2020. None of this would have been possible without my incredible family, friends, community, oncology team, nurses, physiotherapists, family doctor, and pharmacists. Thank you to them and to all those who donated to the LLSC, those who have donated blood, and anyone who has given their support in whatever way they could.

I look forward to the Light the Night walk as it brings us together and provides a special opportunity for acknowledgement, remembrance, celebration, love, and support.