Baby Steps

Hi,  I am new and am going through the same as you did, I was wondering how you are going now?  And how is your baby?

Thanks Tanya! Wow. Interesting news re Sass and Bide. Will do some searching to see what I can find out there. I have my second chemo session scheduled for tomorrow so honestly a bit nervous. Have heard that your hair is more likely to fall out after the second one and I have done well there so far. I am also trialling cold cap therapy though so hopefully that will work. (In addition to the girlish vanity, I am also just keen for the "c" part of my journey not to be so 'obvious' if it can be avoided. Fingers crossed!) I had my blood test yesterday and unfortunately had an awful experience at the blood test place. After the collector loudly announced in shock to everyone in the surgery (which was a LOT OF PEOPLE given it was packed with the Saturday morning crowd)  that I was undergoing chemotherapy, I moved, rather embarrassed into the room to have my blood taken only to be then given a lecture as to how I could consider doing chemo whilst pregnant. After a round of naive questions/comments about me needing to be sure I am do the right the for the baby first , I ended up leaving there in tears. First time I really have let it all get to me.  Still, I guess it is just the lack of information out there. I have found it easier to handle these questions from family, friends, colleagues - but the 'judgement' (which is what it made me feel like) from someone who is part of the medical crew really shook me to the core.  Hopefully through sharing this journey with others in a similar space, and hopefully also in time some improved education for medical professionals that you can have chemo whilst pregnant, others may be spared a similar experience on this journey in future!

I really appreciate your reply and support Tanya. Thank you so very much for contacting me. It really has helped! :)

Cheers,
Melissa.

X

Hey Pink Dawn

I do hope my friend makes contact with you.  I will send her a message and let her know your story. 

Do you know the fashion designers Sass and Bide??  One of them had breast cancer while pregnant too.  I remember finding loads of stories when it happened to my friend to let her know she wasn't alone, but that is one that sprung to mind now.

Hope you are tolerating chemo OK, it is great when you have that last one and you can put it behind you.

Good luck to you, what a positive outlook you have.

Tanya x

Hi Tanya,

Thanks so much for your lovely reply. :) Really appreciated! In a strange way it is actually both reasurring and also concerning to know that someone else "out there" has been through similar. From the discussions I have had with my "specialists team" it unfortunately seems to be not as uncommon as many would think. I am therefore hoping to find others that have been through this themselves already (hopefully will find your friend online!) and also those that are just staring down this path. I am currently only 19 weeks pregnant so it has been challenging. First round of surgery (amidst the blur of the diagnosis was when I was right on 12 weeks). Fortunately I am a pretty positive person overall so have been coping OK - and honestly I am just very thankful as if it wasn't for this little "blessing" I probably wouldn't have even discovered the lump in the first place - and so early too. I certainly wouldn't have gone to the doctor specifically for it! Whilst we did get to it early, I do need to go through another round of surgery (looks like early next year) and won't be due to finish chemo until just before Christmas. My surgeon and oncologist and all the nurses (and not to forget my husband!) have been incredibly supportive throughout though so I am very reassured we are "both" in the very best of hands. Thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my post. Very best wishes to you!!!!

Hi Pink Dawn

I close friend of mine has had a similar experience.  She was diagnosed while 29 years old and 30 weeks pregnant.  Or was it the other way round?  Not sure, but you are right when you should be having the most wonderful time of your life waiting for a baby, so are going through this.    My friend is part of the online network so I hope she sees your post and you two can chat about similar experiences.

Have you had your baby yet?  I did read "both of us coping" but not sure if that was you and your partner, or you and your baby?

I hope you can find some support here, what  a difficult time you have had/having.  My heart goes out to you.

Tanya