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CancerMom
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i was happily carrying my so waited for pregnancy through my 17th week,when,during a routine check up, they found me with breast cancer-stage 1. i was advised to start chemo right away,and renounce the pregnancy.they could have saved my breast,they said.i said no.it wasn't even an option.we talked it through,and i said i'd rather have the cancer progress and have this baby at any cost.my husband said he can handle it even if i'm not around,and that the baby would remind him forever of me.this is somewhat selfish of me to do to him,he needs to go on with his life,but i can't just kill the life growing inside of me.an intermediate option is having an induced labour as soon as the baby is able to breathe on his own,so i can start treatment as soon as possible and still have this baby.however,i would like to breastfeed him/her.does anybody know if breast cancer affects somehow the quality of milk?could i still nurse having cancer(not being on treatment)? anyway,this is my story,hope that somebody understands what i'm going through,as i have no words left to describe how i feel.it feels good to feel listened to. |
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jessicaharris9
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I breastfed my 2 year old and my newborn for several months when I had cancer before I was diagnosed. The tumor itself won't effect your milk. However, the chemo will. If you are able to just get radiation and the cancer is only in one breast you should be able to continue to nurse on the other side (I think). Contact La Leche League international and www.kelleymom.com (a lactation consultant site) for more information on breastfeeding!!!! Have they done a biopsy on the tumor yet? I'm guessing that if your tumor isn't estrogen or progesterne positive that the pregnancy won't have a major effect on it; if you are HER2/neu+ you have an extremely aggressive tumor (that is what I have). I'm no doctor, but if I were in your shoes I would ask them to consider removing as much as the tumor as possible via lumpectomy now and if possible to do radiation now (I don't know if that is possible) and to continue to monitor it through the pregnancy. Good luck and please let me know how things are going! Hugs Jessi 6/9/06 - biopsy positive for cancer 6/23/06 - DIAGNOSIS: stage IV (T4d N2 M1) invasive ductile carcinoma NOS with bone and liver mets; 17 cm mass (primary tumors), inflammatory breast cancer(IBC); HER2/neu+, HR- 6/26/06-12/11/06 - Chemo FEC/Taxol w/Herceptin & Aredia 12/20/06 - right modified radical mastectomy, 7 of 13 removed nodes showed evidence of prior disease 12/21/06 - No Evidence of Disease (stage IV/NED); complete remission 2/6/07-3/22/07-Radiation 28+5 boost, 6040cGy. CURRENT: Still NED, taking Herceptin and Zometa without end. Heart and kidney function remains normal.  |
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jessicaharris9
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Something you may want to do, I had dolls made for my kids and used my hair for the dolls hair. You could go so far as using some old shirts for the fabric to make the dolls and doll clothes. Then baby will always have a part of you to hold if you are too sick or God forbid, no longer around. I also tried to journal, but just never kept up with it. I did write one entry to let the kids know how much I love them and things I did to make sure I'd still be around if I didn't survive. Good Luck Jessi 6/9/06 - biopsy positive for cancer 6/23/06 - DIAGNOSIS: stage IV (T4d N2 M1) invasive ductile carcinoma NOS with bone and liver mets; 17 cm mass (primary tumors), inflammatory breast cancer(IBC); HER2/neu+, HR- 6/26/06-12/11/06 - Chemo FEC/Taxol w/Herceptin & Aredia 12/20/06 - right modified radical mastectomy, 7 of 13 removed nodes showed evidence of prior disease 12/21/06 - No Evidence of Disease (stage IV/NED); complete remission 2/6/07-3/22/07-Radiation 28+5 boost, 6040cGy. CURRENT: Still NED, taking Herceptin and Zometa without end. Heart and kidney function remains normal.
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CancerMom
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Hi, Jessi, i'm so sorry i didn't thank you before, but i was so sick and always tested, i really couldn't sit at the computer for more than 2 minutes at a time. now that's i'm a little better and more around the computer, i will write to La Leche League International (thank you heaps for the link and the tip!) to see what they suggest. i suppose the main priority now is not to breastfeed, but to keep this pregnancy. i don't think i would be comfortable to breastfeed my child while on radiation, even if it's on the other side. it just... doesn't feel right. the biopsy's results came less than a week ago: the tumour is not hormone-sensitive (which is good, from what you say, because: 1. the pregnancy won't worsen it; and 2. it's not a very aggressive type). thanks for telling me all this. i don't really talk to anybody about this right now. writing is better. helps me cope in my own way, without seeing the pity and the "poor you" condescendent attitude of pretty much everybody. The doll idea is excellent - will put it into practice before starting any treatment. i decided to keep the pregancy, at all costs, and will suggest to my doctor what you said: take away as much as possible from the tumour (not comfortable with radation as long as i'm carrying my child) and wait for all radical treatment until after the birth. did't actually think i could have surgery still pregnant, thought that maybe the anesthesia would harm the baby... guess i was stupid, and it is done. anyway, you've helped opening my eyes more than anybody, since i'm pretty confined within my tragedy right now and don't accept any conversations on the matter. with you it's so much easier, i can actually say what i feel... thank you. |
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jessicaharris9
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I'm glad I could help, and don't forget what I said is my opinion so don't ignore doctor's advice over it. I know they don't like to do surgery while pregnant; they outway the risk to mother vs risk to child pro/con type deal. Depending on the size of the tumor I'm guessing they could use a local anesthetic. I just had my chemo port replaced this way, I talked to the surgeon the whole time. I'm sure he was wishing he'd knocked me out!!! Try to stay positive and get as much info as you can!!! Good luck and write when you feel up to it! At least morning sickness will prepare you for chemo! I think I read that you can safely have chemo during your second and third trimester; so that is something to consider as well. I'd be apprehensive about it; but maybe the doctor can review some studies with you to show you how???? Good luck!!! Jessi 6/9/06 - biopsy positive for cancer 6/23/06 - DIAGNOSIS: stage IV (T4d N2 M1) invasive ductile carcinoma NOS with bone and liver mets; 17 cm mass (primary tumors), inflammatory breast cancer(IBC); HER2/neu+, HR- 6/26/06-12/11/06 - Chemo FEC/Taxol w/Herceptin & Aredia 12/20/06 - right modified radical mastectomy, 7 of 13 removed nodes showed evidence of prior disease 12/21/06 - No Evidence of Disease (stage IV/NED); complete remission 2/6/07-3/22/07-Radiation 28+5 boost, 6040cGy. CURRENT: Still NED, taking Herceptin and Zometa without end. Heart and kidney function remains normal. |
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