Sarah Roberts has had surgery to remove golf ball-sized fibroids after symptoms became so severe she repeatedly ended up in the emergency room.
The former Home and Away actress recounted her health crisis on Instagram a week after having a myomectomy.
Sarah said her boyfriend Jake Isu flew back from Vancouver to help her walk, while a fellow patient came forward after hearing her crying because she couldn’t reach her breakfast.
Despite the painful ordeal, the actress found room for humour, revealing she had nicknamed the fibroid ‘Felicia’.
‘This time last week, I would have been in the theatre, or just coming out. This isn’t the kind of theater I usually go to!’ She started.
‘I had a myomectomy to remove fibroids, which I have now nicknamed ‘Felicia’ so I can appropriately say, ‘Bye Felicia!’ And when I laugh at my own joke, I groan in pain!’
Sarah Roberts has had surgery to remove golf ball-sized fibroids after symptoms became so severe she was repeatedly rushed to the emergency room.
Former Home and Away actress recalls her health crisis on Instagram a week after having a myomectomy
Sara told how much the condition had affected her life before the operation.
‘It grew to the size of a golf ball, sent me to emergency whenever I got my period and made it impossible to do anything without looking like I’d stepped off the set of Kill Bill! It’s time for him to leave the building!’
The actress admitted that being forced to rest was an adjustment, especially considering that she usually spends her work days discussing how people push through life’s challenges.
‘But I realized that sometimes you can’t move on with life. All you have to do is sit with your hands on your ass and do nothing (doctor’s orders!),’ she wrote.
‘My boyfriend came back from Vancouver to help me move.
‘The woman in the next room, who had her own ovaries removed, heard me crying because I couldn’t reach my toast and got out of her bed to get butter and honey for me.’
Sarah has spoken publicly about her relationship with cinematographer Jake, acknowledging his preference for privacy.
In her latest post, she lovingly described him as ‘an amazing future husband who really cares about you.’
Sarah said her boyfriend Jake Isu flew back from Vancouver to help her move
Despite the painful ordeal, the actress found room for humour, revealing she had nicknamed the fibroid ‘Felicia’.
Friends and family also supported the actress and sent everything from food and flowers to gifts and pictures meant to make her laugh.
He added, ‘Friends sent funny pictures wearing penis hats, I got surprise nighties from Canada and messages from Barcelona.’
‘I was stunned by the kindness of strangers, nurses, surgeons and everyone who came for me.’
Sara said her hospital stay has brought about a change in perspective, with small accomplishments suddenly becoming her priorities.
‘I couldn’t believe that my goals in the hospital had become so simple: shower, be active, and have caffeine! Walk slowly. Long hug. Laugh out loud (if it doesn’t hurt!)
She also thanked those who had supported her and said she felt loved from all over the world.
Reflecting on the experience, Sarah said it had reminded her to stop measuring her worth by how much work she could do.
‘Maybe this is my reminder that constant productivity does not equal value. We also need surprise, connection, and comfort. Life is not a to-do list. This is a gift.’
She gave final consent to the nickname she gave her fibroids.
‘Hopefully, not listening to my body won’t keep me from seeing Felicia again.’
Sarah rose to fame playing Willow in Home and Away from 2017 to 2021 and recently revealed she’s still close with her former soap co-stars – and why Hollywood is her next stop.
‘One of my best friends was one of my cast mates in Neighbours. That goes back a long way. One of my best friends, Emily Weir, she’s from Home and Away,’ Sarah previously told the Daily Mail.
‘I’ve also made friends with a lot of the new cast members from Home and Away because Emily is their friend and we all hang out together.