Sarah Roberts has undergone surgery to remove a golf ball-sized fibroid after symptoms became so severe that she was repeatedly forced to seek emergency treatment.
The former Home and Away actress opened up about the health ordeal on Instagram, one week after undergoing a myomectomy.
Sarah revealed that her boyfriend, Jake Iesu, flew home from Vancouver to help her walk, while a fellow patient came to her aid after hearing her cry because she could not reach her breakfast.
Even during the painful recovery, the actress managed to find some humour, giving the fibroid the nickname ‘Felicia’.
“This time last week, I would’ve been in the theatre, or just coming out. Not the type of theatre I usually go to!” she began.
“I had a myomectomy to remove a fibroid I’ve now nicknamed ‘Felicia’, so I can aptly say, ‘Bye Felicia!’ and wince in pain as I laugh at my own joke!”
Sarah Roberts has revealed she underwent surgery to remove a golf ball-sized fibroid after symptoms left her repeatedly seeking emergency care
The former Home and Away actress shared an honest Instagram update a week after her myomectomy, describing how difficult everyday tasks had become during her recovery
Sarah went on to describe the extent to which the condition had disrupted her life before the operation.
“She’d grown to the size of a golf ball, sending me to emergency whenever my period came and making it impossible to do anything without looking like I’d stepped off the set of Kill Bill! Time for her to leave the building!”
The actress said being ordered to rest had taken some getting used to, especially as her working life usually involves discussing how people navigate challenges and move forward.
“But I realised sometimes you can’t crack on with life. You just have to sit on your own ass crack and DO NOTHING (doctor’s orders!),” she wrote.
“My boyfriend flew back from Vancouver just to help me walk.
“The woman in the next cubicle, who’d had her own ovaries removed, heard me crying because I couldn’t reach for my toast and got out of her own bed to butter and honey it for me.”
Sarah has previously spoken publicly about her relationship with cinematographer Jake, while recognising that he prefers to keep his private life out of the spotlight.
In her latest update, she warmly described him as “an amazing future husband who actually looks after you”.
Sarah said her boyfriend Jake Iesu flew home from Vancouver to help her walk, while a fellow patient helped after hearing her cry because she could not reach her breakfast
The actress maintained her sense of humour throughout the painful ordeal, revealing she had named the fibroid ‘Felicia’
Friends and family also supported Sarah during her recovery, sending meals, flowers, gifts and photographs intended to make her smile.
“Friends sent funny photos wearing penis hats, I got surprise nighties from Canada, and messages from Barcelona,” she continued.
‘I was blown away by the kindness of strangers, nurses, surgeons and everyone who showed up for me.’
Sarah said her hospital stay had brought a change in perspective, with the smallest achievements suddenly becoming her priorities.
‘I couldn’t believe my goals in hospital had become so beautifully simple: shower, mobilise and caffeinate! Walk slower. Hug longer. Laugh louder (if it doesn’t hurt!).’
She also thanked those who had supported her, saying she had felt love from around the world.
Reflecting on the experience, Sarah said it had reminded her to stop measuring her worth by how much she could get done.
‘Maybe this is my reminder that constant productivity doesn’t equal worth. We need wonder, connection and rest, too. Life isn’t a to-do list. It’s a gift.’
‘This time last week, I would’ve been in the theatre, or just coming out. Not the type of theatre I usually go to!’ she began
She finished with a final nod to the nickname she had given her fibroid.
‘Hopefully, I won’t get another visit from Felicia for not listening to my body.’
Sarah rose to fame playing the character of Willow on Home and Away from 2017 to 2021 and recently revealed she still keeps 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 on Neighbours. That goes way back. Another one of my best friends, Emily Weir, she’s from Home and Away,’ Sarah previously told Our News Outlet.
‘I’ve also made friends with a lot of the new cast from Home and Away because Emily is friends with them and we all hang out together.
