I Was 22 Weeks Pregnant When I Received the Worst News of My Life
It’s hard to put into words how I felt. I was scared for myself, my daughter, and my unborn baby. I felt confused and angry.
I was just 22 weeks pregnant when I received the most devastating news of my life. At the age of 24, I tested positive for the BRCA mutation, a genetic predisposition to breast cancer. I was enrolled in the RISE program for annual breast MRIs and physical exams, which continued until I turned 30. Upon learning that I was expecting my second child, I continued with my regular screenings.
In May, I received my first annual mammogram. When the results showed two areas of calcification, I initially dismissed them, as they were common after breastfeeding. Nevertheless, I decided to undergo a more detailed mammogram and a biopsy. The biopsy results confirmed that I had triple positive stage 2 breast cancer, a diagnosis that came while I was shopping with my 18-month-old daughter.
Despite my initial shock and fear, I kept my composure, knowing that I was halfway through my pregnancy and that treatment could be done safely. On July 1, I underwent a unilateral mastectomy with tissue expansion for reconstruction. Following the mastectomy, I began chemotherapy, and I will complete five rounds of treatment. I will also have 12 Taxol infusions.
While I was recovering from the mastectomy, I was unable to care for my toddler, which was emotionally challenging. However, I am grateful that my cancer was detected early, and I am optimistic about my recovery. I am sharing my experience on social media to help raise awareness about breast cancer in young pregnant women.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
