Pregnant with Cancer? You aren’t alone. . .

Two years ago, I wrote that my sister-in-law was going in for a double mastectomy for breast cancer.

Later that year, I showed you the beautiful photo of her baby girl.

But, that wasn’t the whole story. There was a big story in between “mastectomy” and “baby”.

After her mastectomy,

after she canceled her June wedding,

after she canceled her Italian honeymoon,

after she realized that she’d probably never birth a child once chemo had finished ravaging her body and, probably, her supply of eggs,

and right before she went in for a second surgery to remove lymph nodes to check them for cancer,

the doctor shut the door to the exam room and told my sister-in-law that she was pregnant.

Newly pregnant, but needing chemotherapy which could not be done in the first trimester.

Her choice in those early days was a) delay chemo to protect the baby, but likely give own body over to cancer; b) abort and start chemo right away, as her first oncologist recommended, but most likely never get another chance to have a child.

Her dream of having a child of her own collided head-on with the nightmare of having cancer.

She is now telling her story so others who have to walk the same scary path won’t have to do it completely alone. Please stop by and say hello to my brave sister-in-law, and friend, at her blog, ChemoMama.


Comments

  1. You have no idea how important this post is to me. You see, lately I've been grappling with my desire to "move on." I don't want to constantly think about the cancer. Yet, another part of me still wants to keep sharing my stories–and especially my success! I know how important it is to see and hear that others have succeeded.

    Seeing that your sister-in-law has just launched this blog is wonderful! It's not only wonderful to see that she is sharing her story so others in a similar situation can see it–but it's wonderful to see that eventually I might feel like sharing. I might feel like jumping in to enthusiastic, willing-to-educate-others, "Survivor" mode.

    Right now, I'm just in "Ben's Mama" mode. And that's just fine…for now. 🙂

    Can't wait to share the news of your sister-in-law's blog! I'll stop by later & leave her a comment, too! Yea!

  2. You have no idea how important this post is to me. You see, lately I've been grappling with my desire to "move on." I don't want to constantly think about the cancer. Yet, another part of me still wants to keep sharing my stories–and especially my success! I know how important it is to see and hear that others have succeeded.

    Seeing that your sister-in-law has just launched this blog is wonderful! It's not only wonderful to see that she is sharing her story so others in a similar situation can see it–but it's wonderful to see that eventually I might feel like sharing. I might feel like jumping in to enthusiastic, willing-to-educate-others, "Survivor" mode.

    Right now, I'm just in "Ben's Mama" mode. And that's just fine…for now. 🙂

    Can't wait to share the news of your sister-in-law's blog! I'll stop by later & leave her a comment, too! Yea!

  3. Life As I Know It says

    wow – I can't imagine what she went through (and is probably still going through). My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer last year…she was done having kids, but the drugs threw her body into menopause. So emotional on so many levels.
    I will go check out your sister in law's blog. Thanks for sharing!

  4. Life As I Know It says

    wow – I can't imagine what she went through (and is probably still going through). My sister was diagnosed with breast cancer last year…she was done having kids, but the drugs threw her body into menopause. So emotional on so many levels.
    I will go check out your sister in law's blog. Thanks for sharing!

  5. When I heard about this tragic ordeal with your funny, wonderful, lovely sister in law, I remember thinking, she needs to save herself first. But that was coming from someone with two healthy kids and who was done having more. If I think back to myself before kids, desperately trying to get pregnant and even more desperate for children, I totally understand her difficult decision and applaud her for following her instincts. One look at that gorgeous baby and it all makes sense…

  6. When I heard about this tragic ordeal with your funny, wonderful, lovely sister in law, I remember thinking, she needs to save herself first. But that was coming from someone with two healthy kids and who was done having more. If I think back to myself before kids, desperately trying to get pregnant and even more desperate for children, I totally understand her difficult decision and applaud her for following her instincts. One look at that gorgeous baby and it all makes sense…

  7. kiwi gomes says

    I'll get there to her site, but I'll have to stop crying first! Life sure hits some curve balls!!!

  8. kiwi gomes says

    I'll get there to her site, but I'll have to stop crying first! Life sure hits some curve balls!!!

  9. A Magical Childhood says

    What a story. I'm so glad she's writing about this for other women facing similar issues. I'm passing on the link. What a beautiful baby girl too!
    Alicia

  10. A Magical Childhood says

    What a story. I'm so glad she's writing about this for other women facing similar issues. I'm passing on the link. What a beautiful baby girl too!
    Alicia

  11. Wow! that is all I can say, I will be visiting your sis-in-laws blog now…

  12. Wow! that is all I can say, I will be visiting your sis-in-laws blog now…

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