Tag: Pregnant With Cancer

My Friend Jenn

.Reading time 7 minutes.
I met Jenn through the Kick Ass Cancer Mamas Facebook group.  Here is her story…
Tell us your story / stats:
I was 34 at diagnosis, stage 3C IDC with 21 lymph nodes positive. I was a full time Hairstylist and had a 4 year old daughter! We had been trying to get pregnant with #2. For a year before diagnosis I had felt a lump, it only really bothered me during my period, until I got pregnant then the pain was unbearable. Went in to my OB office and saw someone other then my ob, she thought it was hormone related due to pregnancy. I was not convinced. I had been pregnant before and this wasn’t the same. Oddly enough that morning before going in I kind of had a gut feeling it wasn’t good.
C aside, tell us about yourself. What makes you, YOU!
I am a wife, mother and hairstylist! Unfortunately with all the lymph nodes I had removed, doing hair isn’t in the cards right now. I stay home with my 15 month old chemo baby Riley Joy! I sell Younique makeup for fun as I love makeup! I’m spending time making memories with my girls!
What went through your head when you were first diagnosed?
Am I going to be able to keep this baby? I don’t want to die! This isn’t fair! Why me? Hadn’t I had enough!??!!
What are some of your personal coping skills during difficult times?
Honestly having a good cry! I have since turned to God. Praying has really helped heal me. I have this amazing support group of Cancer mamas that are there when I need a pick me up! These ladies help more then can even imagine! They get me and what I went/am going through.
Tell us about your support system. Or lack of. Where do you get your support from?
My family and friends have been great! Well, of course you lose a few along the way. My sister in law came to most all of my chemo’s with me. My friends set up meal trains and play dates for Sophia.
Many people are unaware that you can do chemotherapy while pregnant. Thoughts and personal experience?
I was one of those people before diagnosis. I still didn’t know until I met with my High Risk OB, she looked at me and said “if you were my sister I would tell you to continue your pregnancy and we can do chemo in the second trimester. Knowing there were some risks with doing chemo while pregnant we decided we were going to continue with the pregnancy and I was going to fight like hell! I found my amazing KACM group and I knew if I had them in my corner with my husband, then I was going to beat this!
What have you learned about yourself since dx?
I am a heck of a lot stronger than I thought I could ever be. Life is so short, there is no reason you can’t do anything that you put your mind to! I never thought I would be informing young women about Breast Cancer, but if it is my path then I will travel it as far as I can!
What do you believe is a common misconception about being diagnosed? Or something that you’d like the general population to know about C.
That it had to be hereditary. I did the genetic testing and I don’t have the genes.
Thoughts on the pink… 
Before diagnosis, I always bought pink for Breast Cancer, thinking I was making a difference! Little did I know that the organization I was donating to in fact did not actually give money or any help to women battling breast cancer. Donate to metavivor.org or the American Cancer Society.
Where are you at in life now? Mentally, physically, emotionally…
I now stay home full time with my girls. Everyday is different, some days I wake up and can get out of bed without pain, some days I can’t get out of bed due to the pain. Pain being from the anti hormone drugs I am on for the next 5 years and menopause as I had my ovaries removed also. I go to a therapist at least every other week for my mental health.
Do you have any lasting side effects- mental, physical, etc.?
My joints ache everyday, but I am actually taking CBD capsules and that has been helping!
Have you noticed any lasting effects on your families and friends?
My family thinks I should just go back to the person I was before diagnosis. However that is not realistic. I am forever changed, I no longer worry about big things, I worry about little things! Is this headache cancer, is this back pain cancer?
Whenever the day comes to travel to the “great beyond”, what do you hope people remember about you?
Honestly hate thinking about this but that I lived life and loved as hard as I could! I made them smile! 🙂
If people take away anything from your story, it would be…
Know your body! Advocate if you feel something isn’t right!

My Friend Reagan

.Reading time 7 minutes.
I met Reagan through the Kick Ass Cancer Mamas Facebook group.  Here is her story…
Tell us your story / stats:
My name is Reagan Wade, I was diagnosed with stage 3 triple negative invasive ductal carcinoma at the age of 22. I was nursing our son Jace. I had produced SO MUCH milk, about 1000 OZ on top of nursing Jace, till he was 13 months old.. I had a lump in my left breast that wouldn’t go away.. my husband and I got married and 1 month later we found out we were expecting our miracle baby Jude. I was 11 Weeks pregnant & luckily mentioned to my OB “how to get ride of this clogged duct.” She immediately did a biopsy and I found out July 21, 2016.
C aside, tell us about yourself. What makes you, YOU!
What makes me, me is I am loving, a busy bee and always on the go 🙂 I enjoy my family & cherish my friends close.
What went through your head when you were first diagnosed?
My babies. I remember looking at our little baby Jace playing on the floor with his trucks… my life flashed before my eyes. I couldn’t leave my baby boys.
What are some of your personal coping skills during difficult times?
Reminding myself to take things day by day.
Tell us about your support system. Or lack of. Where do you get your support from?
My family and friends. We have a huge support system! It seriously does take a village! I am so so thankful for everyone.
Many people are unaware that you can do chemotherapy while pregnant. Thoughts and personal experience?
Luckily I had an amazing team of drs. My OBs next words after “it came back as breast cancer..” was “but you can get chemotherapy while pregnant.” I immediately said “okay, whatever we have to do.” I was so thankful for my doctors.
What have you learned about yourself since dx?
I have found out a lot about myself. Stuff I never would have ever known… I realize how strong and powerful I am.
What do you believe is a common misconception about being diagnosed? Or something that you’d like the general population to know about C.
“Does it run in your family” for some reason people think you can only get cancer if it runs in your family..
Thoughts on the pink…
Metavivor.org 
Where are you at in life now?  Mentally, physically, emotionally…
I currently have two beautiful baby boys: Jace is a sweet, loving, and crazy 3 year old. While Jude is a rambunctious, wild 1.5 year old. I have opened my own business specializing in skin care treatments. I also have created ChicBD Infusion which has completely taken off!! I believe God has put me through this to help others and I am so happy I get to help others feel beautiful in their skin every single day!!
Mentally- mentally is a challenge, there are some days worse than others but for the most part I clear my mind. Before cancer, I never even paid attention about mental health.. It’s real and so important!  I do lots of yoga and working out!
Do you have any lasting side effects- mental, physical, etc.?
Mentally, I still forget things and have brain fog.
Have you noticed any lasting effects on your families and friends?
Family- although we always joke, when a family member has cancer the whole family does. I am so thankful for my family… We have all been through a lot but we are all so much stronger and closer because of this.
If you could send a message to yourself from 10 years ago… how would that go?
Don’t sweat the small things.. really focus on those who make you feel important. Never take a day for granted or your health.
What are you passionate about? 
Helping others!
Do you have any short term or long term goals that you are actively working towards?
Short term- best physical and mental appearance. Long term- buying Chic Beautique’s own building & eventually have a full team of boss ladies. 
Do you have a favorite quote, mantra, phrase, or curse word?
Be still and know.
Whenever the day comes to travel to the “great beyond”, what do you hope people remember about you?
How silly and crazy I am haha! I hope people laugh!
Would you like to share one of your shittiest moments/memories? The raw side of C.
Literally. Bahaha shittiest moment, and probably the worst. My first chemotherapy, I thought I didnt need nausea meds, I was 12 weeks pregnant. Sick. Both ends. Puking, toilet… I couldn’t eat anything but a plain potato. In one week I ended up losing 11 pounds, it was awful.
What’s the latest happenings in your life now? 
My business! Www.chicbeautique.org . We have just blown up and I couldn’t be more proud.
If people take away anything from your story, it would be…
No matter your age or health… please be aware of your body!!

My Friend Rebecca

.Reading time 6 minutes.
I met Rebecca through the Kick Ass Cancer Mamas Facebook group.  Here is her story…
Tell us your story /stats:
I was diagnosed at the age of 38. I was 8 months pregnant with my first child, at the time. I happened to feel the 9mm lump in the underarm area on my right side and had my OB check it at my regularly scheduled appointment the following week. From there, I went to the breast health center for a day of checks that included a mammogram, ultrasound, and biopsy, and was diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive cancer a few days later. Because the cancer was so small but also triple positive, they gave me the option regarding chemo and radiation. I decided to hit it with everything. My thought was that if I did everything possible to combat the cancer and it came back, at least I would know that I did all I could. But if I chose not to do chemo and radiation, and the cancer returned, I know that I would never forgive myself for not doing more.
C aside, tell us about yourself. What makes you, YOU!
What makes me, me…I think if I had to narrow myself down to a few sentences, I would say that my openness, my empathy and love for others, and my thoughtfulness, are my most defining characteristics.
What went through your head when you were first diagnosed?
“How can I have cancer? I take such good care of myself. How could my body betray me in this way?” I really just couldn’t believe it. I was definitely in shock.
What are some of your personal coping skills during difficult times?
I think I cope with difficult times by staying busy, and by using humor to make light of situations. Pot helps too. And yoga and running.
What have you learned about yourself since dx?
I have learned that I am more comfortable when I can manage some sort of control in any given situation. I’ve also learned how to let go of control and how to have a certain level of comfort when I am not in control. I also have learned how much strength there is in allowing yourself to be vulnerable. Opening up about how you feel and what you’re going through takes a great deal of strength.
What do you believe is a common misconception about being diagnosed? Or something that you’d like the general population to know about C.
I think that many people, myself included, experience a great deal of shock and trauma upon diagnosis. It’s so hard to believe that this has happened to you. I think it’s important for people to know that it can always happen and also to know that the treatment is only a piece of the experience. Cancer diagnosis is a life-long struggle and the fears and emotions that go along with it are complicated and eternal. There are also many physical side effects that accompany the post-cancer treatment.
If you could send a message to yourself from 10 years ago… how would that go?
Stop eating so many carbs, and try to lose the stress. Eat more vegetables, cook more whole foods. Get sleep. Don’t open a restaurant. Also, make the most of the great times in your life. Try harder to enjoy those moments and to be fully present (still a struggle).
What are you passionate about? Is this different than what you were passionate about before dx?
I think that the biggest impact that my dx had on me is my commitment to healthy eating and my adoption of a vegan diet. This has also impacted my family and my daughter has been raised vegan so far as well. I am very passionate about food, healthy food in particular. I have also subsequently learned a great deal about the food industry and have made a commitment to contributing to our ecosystem in a more positive manner.
Whenever the day comes to travel to the “great beyond”, what do you hope people remember about you?
I hope that people remember me for being brave, kind, and loving.
Would you like to share one of your shittiest moments/memories? The raw side of C.
I think that the hardest part for me is that the first couple years of my daughter’s life are a bit blurry. I’m sure that some of that is transcendent across all new mothers but I attribute much of it to the chemo and the shock of my coinciding diagnosis. I wish I could go back and have that time with her, and be able to focus all of my energy on being a mother of a newborn. But I will never get that time back and that’s something that I always carry with me.