In May of 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 1A Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in my left breast while I was 4 1/2 months pregnant…
I was told everything would be okay and I would have a lumpectomy when I was 26 weeks pregnant. A team decided that since I was black and pregnant it would be best to take 4 rounds of chemo, and then give birth and resume chemo treatments. Unfortunately, the chemo was too hard on the baby and I delivered at 7 months pregnant. I had to endure dealing with the side effects of my pink passenger and a baby in the NICU.
I was rushed to resume chemo after having my son, but I wanted to breastfeed while the poison was out of my system. My oncologist demanded that I take another round and pressured me as if I was going to die immediately if I didn’t. I then took one last round, which was so rough on me that I was unable to shake the side effects; they lasted over a month. I was in so much pain I asked my surgeon to please push up my surgery. I received a mastectomy on my left breast and was told I must resume chemo to prevent my pink passenger from riding again.
Cancer seems to have taken away my identity. I lost my hair and there it was: Cancer is here. I was unable to work to provide for my family. I was on disability, but disability was not covering the bills like a regular paycheck. I felt like I had to beg for help from this place to that place. My baby was in the NICU for 38 days while I had to take care of my other children, my household, and my doctor appointments, which were 3-4 days a week. Cancer has impacted my mental health. I received a mastectomy on 11/29/23. I could barely look at my bald head and one breast that I had left. I now have body image issues.
I am currently reaching out to speak with someone to assist with being depressed. I come from being able to actively take care of my household and children without any assistance. I have not sat still since my diagnosis. I did not have a normal pregnancy; cancer has taken away everything that I have at the moment.
