A couple months ago, Christina reached out to me hoping to book a newborn session. I read through her initial message and began to cry as she briefly described how 2020 had gone for her. We chatted a bit more about her unique situation leading up to and during her newborn session. She wanted to share her story with the hope that it can be helpful to someone who may find themselves in a similar situation.
2020: A Year of Surprises, Difficulties & Unknowns
Most can attest that this year has been one for the history books. Lives turned completely upside down. Just as the world was getting used to our new “normal”, my world did another 360 on me.
Back in July, after coming home from a wonderful family beach vacation, I felt a small hard lump on the upper outside corner of my right breast. It was tender to touch at times. Working as a Radiology tech, I have seen enough things to know, do not put this off. I immediately made an appointment with my OB and she agreed it did not feel normal. My mind started to go places I never dreamed it would go. What I didn’t know yet, was my story was about to get even more scary and complicated. The very next day I was scheduled for a mammogram and ultrasound. On my way to the appointment something compelled me to stop at the drug store and buy a pregnancy test. Sure enough, positive. I was about 5 weeks along. Feeling overjoyed by this surprise, all the fear of the unknown lump went away. It calmed me. There’s no way I could have breast cancer. I’m young and healthy with no family history and I’m PREGNANT! Well, God certainly had other plans for me! After my imaging, biopsy, and bloodwork all came back - I received that phone call you can’t even imagine being reality. Cancer. While my world seemed as if it had just completely fallen apart, thankfully, because of my attentiveness to my body, it was only stage 1 and contained in itself. No lymph node involvement or surrounding tissue, but the cells were acting aggressive. I commend myself for listening to my body, but also to the team of physicians in my care for acting fast, and under my unique circumstance.
I’m 34, I have breast cancer and I’m pregnant?? Hard pill to swallow. But - I entered fight mode. At 8 weeks pregnant I underwent a total right mastectomy. After an agonizing few weeks of tests being done on the mass, I finally received the news I was dreading. I needed chemotherapy as a preventative measure. After many tough conversations and depressing moments, my doctors reassured me chemotherapy would be safe for the baby and I if we waited until I was 16 weeks. The baby’s organs would be fully developed and studies have shown there is no potential risk of birth defects to the fetus. Enter fight mode again. There was no way around it. I had to do this to save my life, my baby’s life, and be here for my other daughter and family. It was the toughest thing I’ve ever had to accept but when you’re faced with this type of situation, you just find a way to do it. At 16 weeks pregnant we started the first of 8 rounds of an intense chemotherapy regimen. 1 round every 2 weeks for 4 months. As if going through a pandemic wasn’t hard and scary enough, now my immune system was being compromised, and oh yeah.. I’m growing a human. Every single treatment brought fear and mama bear mode. It’s hard enough to watch those drugs enter your system but knowing she was also on the receiving end just killed me every time inside. It’s a pain and fear I’m not sure I’ll ever fully be able to describe. I’m not quite sure how I kept my composure through this all, but I did.
December 30th was my final round of chemo and a day I will never forget. I did it. I kicked cancers ass! My baby kicked cancers ass! I had my moments of course but with the help of my husband, family and friends, we made it through. Safe from Covid, safe from adverse effects, and most importantly my baby remained safe. Throughout chemo, my daughter was closely monitored by ultrasound and she was just thriving. All my worries were constantly reassured. Although the worst possible situation I could ever dream happened to me, in the end I feel nothing but blessed. Now, here we are, miss Morgan Lynn has arrived as healthy as can be and I am doing wonderful post chemo. God is good. And even though it may seem crazy, she came at the perfect moment in our lives. Just when I needed her most. We fought cancer together and came out survivors! I will always share that special bond with her. I am living proof that not all bad has to come out of a difficult situation. She will forever be my miracle baby.
Christina - you and Morgan are both so beautiful, strong and inspirational. Thank you for sharing your story and for allowing me to capture these special moments for you and your family!