Sally Obermeder opens up about being a breast cancer survivor

The day before she was due to give birth to her daughter, Sally Obermeder was given devastating news that would change her entire life.

Sally Obermeder was about to give birth to her daughter Annabelle when she was given the devastating news that would ultimately change her life.

The TV presenter was happy, healthy and full of energy — she would soon be a mother for the first time, describing the feeling as being “on cloud nine” — up until a visit to her obstetrician.

Sally, who was 37-years-old and 41 weeks pregnant at the time, was experiencing sporadic sharp pains in her right breast.

During her routine check-up she told her obstetrician about a lump she had discovered on her breast three months earlier.

Sally Obermeder was pregnant with Annabelle (pictured) in October 2011 when she began to experience sharp pains in one of her breasts. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

The day before she was to give birth, Sally was told she had aggressive stage-three breast cancer. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I was feeling amazing, I felt healthy and had heaps of energy; I certainly didn’t feel sick or feel like somebody walking around with a tumour might feel,” Sally told news.com.au

“I mentioned to my doctor I happened to have a lump. I just thought my body was getting ready to have a baby and I didn’t think much of it.”

But to her shock and dismay, Sally was diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer in October 2011.

“It was never on my radar — I had no family history of it. I thought I was too young to get breast cancer which I have now realised is a myth.”

Sally has been cancer free since being given the all-clear in October 2012.

But it is an experience that formed a big part of who she is today.

The mother-of-two finds it difficult to put into words exactly how she felt, especially knowing she had a newborn baby on the way.

The TV personality endured 16 rounds of chemotherapy and two mastectomies. Annabelle was only 10 days old at the time. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“Imagine if you were walking along the beach on a beautiful sunny day and then out of nowhere a meteor falls out of the sky and whacks you on the back of the head — it was out of this world, and so out of the blue,” she said.

“It rocked me and our whole family. It was completely devastating.”

The 46-year-old has reflected on her experience to raise awareness about breast cancer and remind women to always go for a routine check up.

“Had I got checked earlier, it definitely would have made a difference. Had my obstetrician said, ‘don’t worry, have the baby, finish breastfeeding’, that would have also had a very different outcome.”

She was given the all-clear in October 2012 saying it took her a long time ‘exhale’ and believe it was real. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

Sally has been cancer free since and is passionate about reminding women to go for routine check-ups as part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. Picture: Tim Hunter.

Sally described the devastating ordeal as the most challenging experience of her life.

But with the support of her husband Marcus, family and friends, she was able to dig deep and persevere.

“It was tough, it was incredibly tough but Marcus was with me and we somehow got through it together,” Sally told news.com.au

“Somewhere really deep down you find some kind of strength you didn’t know you had.”

Sally went on to give birth to a healthy little girl who, with the rest of her family, became part of her fighting reason to push through and not give up.

“I had Annabelle who needed me, so I had no choice but to get through everyday and make sure I did everything the best I could. I didn’t always do my best as there were days I was just too sick.”

About one week after giving birth the TV personality started 16 rounds of chemotherapy and had two mastectomies.

“I just really said to myself as long as at the end of this I know I have done everything I possibly can with all my will and might, then that’s all I can do and that’s what I did.”

That said, the pain of what she’s been through is something Sally acknowledges that deep down will never really go away.

“When you go through something like that it becomes part of who you are. It becomes part of your framework on how you see life because. It changes you so deeply and so profoundly. It’s a part of me now.”

Sally sacrificed her privacy to give others hope. She attended industry events wearing a wig or showed off her bald head and openly talked about her illness. On one occasion she brought a room of magazine types to tears and received a standing ovation.

Sally said the experience changed the course of her career to become committed to creating a help making others feel amazing inside and out.

With her sister, Maha Koraiem, she co-founded the lifestyle webiste SWIISH.com, published four books and become a firm fan favourite on the desk of Seven Network’s The Daily Edition.

Sally said being a breast cancer survivor makes you passionate about the thing you care about in life.

Sally and Marcus have two children — Annabelle who is now seven and Elyssa, three, who they welcomed through surrogacy.

“I say it every month, on the first of the month — go for a routine check-up. Please don’t self diagnose or decide for yourself. If you feel any kind of symptoms or lumps, get it checked out.”

Sally is working with Goodlife Health Clubs as part of their wellness month in October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness month, to spread the word about the importance of regular check-ups.