Home and Away star Sarah Roberts is rushed to hospital to undergo surgery as her boyfriend flies home from Canada to help her walk

Sarah Roberts has undergone surgery to remove a golf ball-sized fibroid after suffering symptoms so severe she repeatedly ended up in emergency.

The former Home and Away actress recalled her health crisis on Instagram a week after having a myomectomy.

Sarah said her boyfriend Jake Iesu flew back from Vancouver to help her walk, while a fellow patient stepped in after hearing her cry because she couldn't reach her breakfast.

Despite the painful ordeal, the actress found room for humour, revealing she had nicknamed the fibroid 'Felicia'.

'This time last week, I would've been in the theatre, or just coming out. Not the type of theatre I usually go to!' she began.

'I had a myomectomy to remove a fibroid I've now nicknamed 'Felicia', so I can aptly say, 'Bye Felicia!' and wince in pain as I laugh at my own joke!'

Sarah went on to explain just how much the condition had affected her life before the operation.

'She'd grown to the size of a golf ball, sending me to emergency whenever my period came and making it impossible to do anything without looking like I'd stepped off the set of Kill Bill! Time for her to leave the building!'

The actress admitted being forced to rest had been an adjustment, particularly given she usually spends her working days discussing how people move forward through life's challenges.

'But I realised sometimes you can't crack on with life. You just have to sit on your own ass crack and DO NOTHING (doctor's orders!),' she wrote.

'My boyfriend flew back from Vancouver just to help me walk.

'The woman in the next cubicle, who'd had her own ovaries removed, heard me crying because I couldn't reach for my toast and got out of her own bed to butter and honey it for me.'

Sarah has spoken publicly about her relationship with cinematographer Jake while acknowledging his preference for privacy.

In her latest post, she affectionately described him as 'an amazing future husband who actually looks after you'. 

Friends and family also rallied around the actress, sending everything from food and flowers to gifts and photographs designed to make her laugh.

'Friends sent funny photos wearing penis hats, I got surprise nighties from Canada, and messages from Barcelona,' she continued.

'I was blown away by the kindness of strangers, nurses, surgeons and everyone who showed up for me.'

Sarah said her hospital stay had brought a change in perspective, with the smallest achievements suddenly becoming her priorities.

'I couldn't believe my goals in hospital had become so beautifully simple: shower, mobilise and caffeinate! Walk slower. Hug longer. Laugh louder (if it doesn't hurt!).'

She also thanked those who had supported her, saying she had felt love from around the world.

Reflecting on the experience, Sarah said it had reminded her to stop measuring her worth by how much she could get done.

'Maybe this is my reminder that constant productivity doesn't equal worth. We need wonder, connection and rest, too. Life isn't a to-do list. It's a gift.' 

She finished with a final nod to the nickname she had given her fibroid.

'Hopefully, I won't get another visit from Felicia for not listening to my body.'

Sarah rose to fame playing the character of Willow on Home and Away from 2017 to 2021 and recently revealed she still keeps close with her former soap co-stars - and why Hollywood is her next stop.

'One of my best friends was one of my cast mates on Neighbours. That goes way back. Another one of my best friends, Emily Weir, she's from Home and Away,' Sarah previously told the Daily Mail.

'I've also made friends with a lot of the new cast from Home and Away because Emily is friends with them and we all hang out together.