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Thomas was diagnosed with breast cancer last November, she told the Financial Times prior to her record-breaking swim. At the time, her doctors doubted that she \"would ever return to peak form.\"

She continued to swim during chemotherapy, but had to put swimming on hold when she underwent radiation.

\"PHOTO:
Jon Washer Photography/AFP/Getty Images
PHOTO: A handout photograph taken off the coast of Dover, southern England, Sept. 15, 2019 shows swimmer Sarah Thomas swimming in the Dover Strait.
>

\"It was too painful to swim through my burns,\" she told the Financial Times. \"I blistered and was told it wasn’t safe to swim because of the risk of infection.\"

She got back in the water after radiation and spent the last week in Dover awaiting perfect conditions for her swim, according to the Financial Times.

Hard to tell but that’s Sarah still swimming, accompanied by Craig Lenning. Closing in on the finish of this epic adventure. #englishchannel #4wayEnglishChannelswim @JWasherBeyond @outdoor_swimmer pic.twitter.com/DQUGoQQRG2

— Elaine K. Howley (@emkhowley) September 17, 2019

Thomas wore only a swimsuit, cap and goggles for her swim, during which she was stung by a jellyfish.

She celebrated after coming ashore with champagne and M&Ms.

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