Jenna's Story: Facing Diagnosis and Treatment While Pregnant

I thought it was a clogged milk duct. I am a healthy 34-year-old female so the last thing I ever expected was a cancer diagnosis. I discovered a lump one morning while getting ready for work and mentioned the lumps to my gynecologist who sent me for an ultrasound the next day. I could tell by the look on the ultrasound technician's face that it was not good. That same day I went in for a stat biopsy. I called my husband and we went together for the biopsy and saw a breast surgeon moments later. Everything happened so fast.

Two days later we received the phone call that would change my life. I have breast cancer and I need to start chemotherapy right away because the cancer spread to my lymph nodes. I received a second opinion and that doctor said the same thing. The oncologist and my OB doctors both reassured me that the chemo drug is not harmful to my baby and if I don't start it now the cancer is at risk of spreading further since it is feeding off of my high estrogen (ER+). Additionally, they were unable to do further imaging to see if the cancer spread due to being pregnant.

My husband and I made a hard decision and I started chemotherapy at 32 weeks pregnant. I anticipated the hair loss, so I cut my beautiful long curly hair and donated it to the Childhood Cancer Foundation before it fell off on its own. I was told that I could not harvest my eggs due to being pregnant and I may not be able to have any more children. I am also going to lose my breasts, an intimate part of my body.

I gave birth at 37 weeks pregnant to a healthy baby boy. I underwent 10 rounds of intensive chemotherapy and experienced severe side effects and allergic reactions. I did have the help of family and friends but I am a mother of a 2 year old, and now newborn, and still had to fulfill that role despite all that I was going through.

I lost my identity as all of my hair fell off my body and the chemo drugs made me gain weight. My body was recovering from giving birth on top of fighting cancer. My son needed me so I was there for him every night despite feeling sick or in severe pain. I prayed hard every day and had a community of support via social media, my home town, current town, previous and current co-workers, friends and family.

Following chemo I wanted to regain some control over my body again so I began working out. I underwent a double mastectomy and will have reconstructive surgery. The workouts helped me tremendously with my recovery. The best part was being able to hold my children again!

The next course of my treatment will require me to have reconstructive surgery and to start hormone therapy which will last 10 or more years. The hormone drug is tamoxifen and it comes with many undesirable side effects including symptoms of menopause (menopause at 34 years old is hard to grapple with). As a woman who has always been health and weight conscious this drug will require me to be on a strict diet with regular exercise and medical monitoring. As my hair is growing back along with working out regularly and eating a very healthy diet, I am regaining my sense of identity. It is a new identity that I am now learning to shape and accept. I don't want to be on this medication but I know I need to be the absolute best mother I can be for my children and to be the best supportive wife to my husband. I want to live as long as I humanly can and will do whatever it takes.