Fans of Below Deck and Below Deck Mediterranean get to experience all the drama of working in the yachting industry. Like any good reality show, it’s about getting to know new cast members and seeing how people interact. The whole premise of the show is the lives of the crew. But what about the Captain?
On Below Deck Mediterranean, Captain Sandy Yawn stays out of the fray for the most part. She did have some confrontations with veteran Chief Stew Hannah Ferrier about her incessant smoke breaks but viewers certainly don’t get as close with her as the rest of the crew. Perhaps that’s why Sandy chose to share a personal story to her Instagram on Monday.
In an Instagram post, Sandy revealed that she is celebrating the anniversary of a surgery that saved her life. She spoke about a motorcycle crash previously in an interview with Bravo. It was because of the accident that doctors identified and removed a tumor on her kidney.
During Sandy’s recovery in the hospital, her friend insisted on further testing. This friend, a urologist, had a colleague conduct a scan of Sandy’s kidneys. That scan revealed a tumor which was found to be stage 2 kidney cancer. Doctors removed it within a month of the accident.
Sandy explained how critical the situation was. She said, “it might have been years until that tumor was found. At that point, the cancer would have progressed, and it would have been too late.”
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She shared the story on Instagram with a picture of the crashed motorcycle. Reflecting on the incident, Sandy wrote, “4 years ago Feb 21st I was riding my motorcycle to the Miami Boat show and was hit by a car. Due to that crash, the doctors discovered a tumor on my kidney. It was cancer.”
Sandy continued, 4 years ago today I had the tumor removed and I am alive and cancer free.”
She then expressed gratitude for the people in her life. “The yachting industry was there for me and of course my family & friends. Today I want all of you to know how much I appreciate you and life!” Sandy added, “may I never forget and pay it forward. Never stop believing! I love you all!”
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TELL US- DID YOU KNOW ABOUT SANDY’S ACCIDENT? SHOULD BRAVO INCLUDE MORE OF SANDY’S PERSONAL LIFE ON THE SHOW?
[Photo Credit- Charles Sykes/Bravo]
