Cancer gave me the courage to set sail
She is the school teacher who has taken to the seas to sail her boat like a heroine from an adventure novel.
But Sadie Windmill has succeeded in an even greater challenge – battling a serious form of cancer.
The 44-year-old former Kingswinford assistant headteacher was stunned after being diagnosed with cancer more than two years ago.
Sadie remembers her early concerns and visits to the doctor with a swollen neck which was diagnosed as mumps.
However, the problem persisted and after a consultant backed up the doctor's opinion, she decided to go private and see a head and neck surgeon.
The surgeon, John Watkinson, who is based at the Priory Hospital, Edgbaston, ordered tests and the next day confirmed that Sadie had chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
"We were stunned. Having never been really ill in my life it was such a shocker and took a while to accept it all," said Sadie, who was assistant head at the Crestwood School, Kingswinford.
She went to see consultant haemato-oncologist Dr Premini Mahendra – or Prem as the couple came to know her.
Life was turned upside down for Sadie and her husband Jules as she was forced to undergo an intensive course of chemotherapy. "Life became a whirlwind of operations, tubes, needles and hospital appointments," she said.
"I had six chemotherapy treatments in six months. I won't lie, it was tough, but we were determined to remain positive throughout.
"Once treatment started it actually felt so much better because we were actually happening instead of us just waiting around.
"At the end of the first cycle, the lumps were no longer visible to the eye. I also was very proactive, exercising, getting out in the fresh air, meditating and changing my diet totally," she said.
The three month tests showed that all the tumours were gone and three months later Dr Mahendra announced that Sadie was now in full remission.
After they received the happy news, the couple thought they must do something life changing to celebrate the landmark moment. They wanted to see the world so boarded their yacht, with their two dogs Tinker and Scrappy, and sailed around France, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco and Portugal.
"Every day is different. We drop anchor, catch fish, go kayaking, swim off the back of the boat, have a barbecue and walk the dogs," she said.
But the couple still keep in regular touch with Prem, returning for tests every six months .
Sadie said: "If I had never had cancer, I would never have been brave enough to do what we are doing now. We love the way of life we now lead with lots of sun, relaxation and a Mediterranean diet.
"With wi-fi and Skype we probably see more of family than ever before. I would never wish to have had cancer, but without it I would never be leading such a fulfilled, adventurous life."
