Written by Toni Lavigne-Conway | Special to the Valley Gazette
In a heartwarming display of unity, the community of Combermere along with a group of friends has come together to support one of their residents and fellow hockey mom, Sarah Yensen, a young mother facing a life-threatening medical condition that requires urgent surgery.
Since 2005, Ms. Yensen has been suffering from the serious effects she sustained after being in a traumatic car accident involving a drunk driver that led to multiple surgeries to address her facial asymmetry, skeletal malocclusion, pain and a limited ability to open her mouth.
In 2023, she required another surgery to revise previous operations and address a persistent dentofacial deformity. Unfortunately, she was left with recurrent infections and antibiotic treatments have been unsuccessful.
In an effort to rid her of the infection, surgery is now being planned for her previously implanted plates that rebuilt her jaw to be removed leaving her temporarily without a jaw for the 6 months. She has started the process, having orthodontic braces put in place to maintain alignment, and later, she will move forward with reconstruction of the jaw.
Furthermore, after experiencing a variety of mysterious physical symptoms, Sarah was delivered another blow not long ago when she was also diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, but she has been unable to take medication for that because it will lower her immune system, which she needs to help fight the infection she is battling.
The Yensen family
Friends describe Ms. Yensen as a kind, compassionate and friendly person, a loving mom who is now in need of the same care and compassion she has always extended to others.
She and husband Blake are parents to two children, Houston 13, and 10-year-old Emma, both students at George Vainer school.
Although the family originates from southern Ontario, they have made their home Combermere, a decision, Ms. Yensen says, that has been advantageous to her health.
“We had come up here camping a few times over the years and knew we loved the area. Also, I was struggling with lung issues from the accident, and we wanted to live somewhere where the air was better.”
The fresh Madawaska Valley air seemed to be just what the doctor ordered because since they’ve been here, Ms. Yensen says there has been much improvement with her breathing and she’s had no further incidents of pneumonia.
The other best medicine came as they quickly became part of the community, school and hockey family who have embraced the entire family and become a lifeline of support to Sarah.
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