When life throws unexpected challenges our way, it’s the choices we make that define our journey.

Here’s how Sam’s journey unfolded and what we can all learn from her experience.

Sam McClymont shared how one critical decision following her breast cancer diagnosis ‘saved her life.’

The Getaway travel host and country singer revealed that seeking a second opinion after a doctor initially assured her the lump in her breast was non-cancerous was key to her survival.

The 38-year-old began chemotherapy and has faced 15 rounds of radiation, with two more surgeries still to come.

Sam McClymont's second opinion saved her life. Image source: @samimcclymont on Instagram

Despite the challenges, McClymont expressed relief at being home for Christmas with her sons, saying, ‘That decision to get a second opinion is really what saved my life. While I thought I was going to be in hospital for Christmas, now I’ll be at home with the boys, which is wonderful,’ she said.

McClymont had previously been given the all-clear when she discovered the lump in her right breast, but further examination revealed the worst.

‘I was by myself when they told me I had triple negative cancer, the most aggressive breast cancer,’ she shared. ‘Then what goes through my brain is, well, I’ve known about this since October and it’s now the end of February; how fast has this been growing?’

Reflecting on the initial shock, she said, ‘I decided to go to see the specialist anyway and see what my options were. I was instantly crying. He was telling me about all the treatments, but I couldn’t believe it.’

McClymont recounted the difficulties of explaining her diagnosis to her young children, particularly her five-year-old son, Ari.

‘He likes to tell people, “This is my mum, she’s bald,”’ she shared. ‘It’s not like he sees anyone else like me at the moment, so I think it might be a protective thing where he wants to call out the elephant in the room before it’s pointed out: “Yes, we know Mum is bald. Thank you.”’

The experience was isolating, but she noted the kindness she received from those around her. ‘Cancer can be such an isolating experience so it’s nice to know I could share and be met with so much love and support,’ she added.

Due to her treatment, McClymont stepped back from her Getaway hosting responsibilities, as travel was no longer possible.

Alongside her TV work, McClymont was part of the country music trio The McClymonts with her sisters, Brooke and Mollie, and had also featured on Farmer Wants a Wife.

Key Takeaways

• Sam McClymont shared how seeking a second opinion after an initial misdiagnosis was crucial in saving her life.
• She underwent extensive treatment, including chemotherapy, radiation, and a lumpectomy, with more surgeries still to come.
• Explaining her diagnosis to her young son was challenging, but she noted his protective way of addressing her appearance.
• Despite the isolating nature of cancer, Sam found comfort in the overwhelming support from others.

Do you know anyone who had to make a different life choice because of illness? Share your thoughts in the comments – we’d love to hear your stories.

 

[Penny4]

"A doctor initially assured her the lump in her breast was non-cancerous." Unfortunately, a GP's field of medicine isn't to diagnose a breast cancer lump, without further diagnostic testing.
Pleased she second guessed it, but sorry it was a harrowing diagnosis for her.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I can't say enough if your not happy with a doctor then get a second and even a third opinion.

I had a surgeon stitch a hernia mesh to my bowl. Long story , I ended up losing my whole umbilicus and alot of my abdominal wall because of him.

A close friend had a lump in her breast and her gp said it was a cist that cancer didn't hurt. She had an ultrasound plus mammogram and it showed nothing.

4 weeks later She went to a specialist Who put her in so he could do a biopsy
Came back as cancer and he operated 2 days later. He removed her breast and then she did radiotherapy and chemo.
She now has to take a tablet for the rest of her life. If it wasn't for this specialist she wouldn't be here today.

My friends daughter had bowel cancer but took 7 doctors until she was diagnosed by then it was stage 4. It was only 4 months from when she knew something was wrong until she passed away. She was 29.
Doctors told her she was too young for bowel cancer. Or she was told it was haemorrhoids.

In young people bowel cancer moves very quick and if she was diagnosed earlier than maybe she would still be here and maybe her mother wouldn't now be crazy

 

[BillyB]

I had a bad cough and went to hospital but because they were very busy sent me to doctors clinic where I was diagnosed with chest infection and given anti biotics .I finished the course of medicine but still coughing. I managed to see my own doctor and he sent me foe x-rays which showed a large tumour in my lung that turned out to be cancerous . The doctor gave me a medical off work for 3 months and told me to spend the time with my family , he also referred me to a chest specialist who called a surgeon who removed my right lung. That was Australia day 2007 and I am still going strong with 1 lung.