**Woman’s ‘Electric Shock’ Kiss Reveals Rare Cancer, Leading to Life-Altering Surgery and Inspiring Recovery**
A seemingly mundane moment between husband and wife changed Sarah Susak’s life forever. The 48-year-old, who had recently returned to work after welcoming her ‘miracle’ daughter, felt an unexpected ‘electric shock’ course through her face when her husband kissed her—a sensation that triggered a life-changing medical journey involving significant surgery, personal resilience, and ultimately, a new purpose.
In 2017, the unusual tingling prompted Sarah to seek medical advice. Initially, doctors misattributed her symptoms to neuralgia, a relatively common condition involving nerve pain. But as days passed and the pins-and-needles feeling persisted, she pushed for further investigation. Eventually, a specialist’s examination revealed a hidden tumour inside her face, visible the moment she opened her mouth. The diagnosis was both shocking and rare: adenoid cystic carcinoma, a stealthy and aggressive form of cancer that often spreads along nerves.
What followed was an ordeal that tested the limits of both medical science and human endurance. Faced with the daunting reality of her illness, Sarah was informed that major surgery was the only option—one that would inevitably mean losing a substantial part of her face, including her palate, several teeth, and part of her jaw. Doctors had to employ remarkable reconstructive techniques, using skin harvested from her leg to fashion a new palate and her fibula to reconstruct her jaw. Veins from her feet were also transplanted to maintain muscle function, resulting in the unusual experience of leg hair growing inside her mouth. Sarah’s stoicism and willingness to undergo whatever was necessary to survive amazed the medical staff around her.
Behind the scenes, Sarah’s struggle was intensified by fears for her young daughter, Stella, born after multiple rounds of IVF. The thought that she might not be around to see Stella grow up was, she admits, a constant source of anxiety. Seeking guidance beyond conventional medicine, Sarah turned to a wellness expert on social media, who not only offered emotional support but also connected her with a team of specialists in India, reinforcing her decision to proceed with the difficult surgery.
The operation to remove the tumour lasted a gruelling 19 hours. Recovery was equally arduous, marred by months of radiotherapy that brought fresh complications, including osteoradionecrosis—a condition that caused some of her jawbone to die. For five years, hospital stays, painful treatments, and isolation from her family became the norm. Eventually, in a hard-won reprieve, Sarah was told that the cancer was in remission.
However, relief proved fleeting. Seven years after her ordeal began, a new lesion was discovered in her lung. Fortunately, surgery was successful, and this time, further radiotherapy was not required. Just as life seemed to be stabilising, Sarah encountered another frightening health crisis. Within a week of her lung operation, she developed alarming neurological symptoms. Tingling in her fingers and toes rapidly progressed to total paralysis below her neck. Initially dismissed by the hospital as suffering a panic attack, Sarah had to fight to be taken seriously. Soon, her condition deteriorated so rapidly she required urgent intensive care and life support.
Doctors diagnosed Sarah with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare disease where the immune system attacks the nervous system, often leading to temporary but profound paralysis. For several terrifying days, her family prepared for the worst. Yet, once again displaying notable resilience and determination, Sarah emerged from critical care far sooner than expected—leaving hospital, after two and a half months instead of a projected year, and facing a tough period of rehabilitation to relearn basic daily skills, such as walking and swallowing.
Throughout her tumultuous journey, Sarah credits the ancient tradition of Vedic meditation with helping her cope. Meditation, she insists, provided the inner strength to face relentless setbacks, pain, and uncertainty, allowing her to contribute to her own healing in ways medicine alone could not.
Now, balancing her corporate career with her personal mission, Sarah runs “Medi Steady Go®,” a coaching enterprise aimed at helping others tap into the power of meditation to support their health and well-being. Her hard-won insights and experience have also inspired her to write a book, “YOURU: Find the Guru Within You,” offering hope and practical advice to others facing adversity. The cover features Sarah’s radiant smile—a testament to the optimism and fortitude that define her story.
Sarah’s remarkable account of endurance and transformation not only highlights advances in medical science but also underscores the profound impact of personal resilience, community, and alternative therapies during the toughest battles life can bring.