"I did not know what God had in store for me when I was diagnosed with breast cancer in late November 1990, but now, almost 30 years later, I see how my own experience is used to help others," breast cancer survivor Sally Yarbro says, reflecting on her five-year career as a certified bra specialist at Poplar Bluff's J.C. Penney store.
"I'm here to help my ladies," says Yarbro. "Heart patients, breast cancer patients, women who have had life-altering surgeries -- they rely on me and trust me to help them. Because I have been in their shoes, I understand their emotions and can relate to the uncertainty and embarrassment they may feel."
When Yarbro received the startling news that the lump in her breast was indeed cancerous, she was a special education teacher, in her thirties, a single mother of two, and devoting her life to a career in education.
"My mother had benign fibrous tumors, so she always kept an eye on my sister and me," Yarbro says. "I had a mammogram every year, and tumors were not uncommon in me. The doctor would aspirate them, and they were always nothing, so I was totally unprepared when I received the cancer diagnosis."
"I went in for the biopsy on Nov. 30, and when I returned to my room there were two or three doctors and my mother. My mother's face was grey, and I immediately knew it was bad news," she emotionally recalls.
Yarbro's tumor was the kind that spiderwebs out, and the recommended treatment was a radical mastectomy. Only three days later, on Dec. 3, she had surgery. She remembers the date because that was the predicted earthquake day.
"When I received the diagnosis my only prayer was asking God to let me live to see my girls finish high school. Well, He blessed me with that and more," Yarbro says. "I have seen my children grow up; I have four beautiful grandchildren; and I have been able to teach many, many students whom I continue to consider as my kids."
Yarbro says even though it has been nearly 30 years, she still recalls the kindness and compassion extended to her throughout her journey.
"I received so much love and support from every side. My family, other teachers, school principals, even the students -- they all reached out in any way they could," she recalls.
But Yarbro's battle only began with the surgery.
"My doctor prescribed a very aggressive treatment combining chemotherapy and an oral medication. I was able to schedule my treatments on Friday afternoon, so that I only missed a half day of school," she says.
With her surgery and six months of treatment, she only missed 13 days of school.
"I would work until 11 on Friday," she explains. "There was lunch and then my prep period before students came to class again, so I really missed very little actual teaching time.
"My treatments lasted 4 and 1/2 hours, and afterward I would walk home because I lived so close. My younger daughter Megan would often walk to meet me, and we would talk about her day on the way home."
Her doctor said with the surgery and the intensive regimen of chemo, it would be two years before Yarbro would be a candidate for reconstruction.
"For me, personally, it was not something I seriously considered," she reflects.
"However, when I married again, I told my husband I would have it done, but you know what he said?" she tearfully recalls. "He said if I wanted it to have it done, then do it, but it made no difference to him. I was so blessed to find such a devoted partner."
Yarbro says she did lose her hair as a result of the chemo, but a special gift from her mother made that side-effect easier to face.
"My mother sent a professional wig maker to my home to customize a wig for me," she says. "That is just another example of the abundant kindness that was shown to me during that time."
Though Yarbro has been cancer free for many years, life has blindsided her a couple of times. Only nine days after retiring in 2011, an undetected heart-related blockage resulted in having to have a procedure to place two stints, and in December 2013 she suffered a devastating loss when her daughter Ashley lost a several years' battle against the H1N1 virus.
"You can not dwell on the dark side of life, though," Yarbro advises. "It is important to keep your spirits positive and look for the blessings. By doing that, I have been able to deal with the bad things that came my way."
Though Yarbro spent 28 years in education, that was not her goal when she graduated from Poplar Bluff High School in 1970 and began college in Michigan the following fall.
"I was going to be a profiler," she laughs, "and that was before profiling was even a thing."
Because her parents were not comfortable with her being so far from home, Yarbro returned to Southeast Missouri. Keeping psychology as her focus, she earned a bachelor's degree in education, then attained various education certifications including special services, counseling and behavior disorders. She also earned both a master's and specialist degrees. Yarbro spent nearly all her career in the Poplar Bluff district.
"My students were so special to me," Yarbro fondly recalls. "When I was going through my chemo they made a big poster for me, that I still have. A few students still stay in touch, and I will always think of them as mine."
With retirement, though, comes life changes.
"I have to be busy," says Yarbro, "it's just the way I am."
In 2013, she found a new career at J.C. Penney.
"I started in women's, but was moved to lingerie. That is where I found my niche. Because of my own experience," she explains, "my ladies realize I understand what they are feeling.
"I had no way of knowing where my bout with cancer would lead, but it is my belief that it is our own responsibility to keep the doorway open to God -- to just pray and trust in his wisdom."
"Even though I am not devoting myself to students anymore," she smiles, "I do believe I am still impacting lives."