When they said “you have cancer,” I just grabbed my bump and in tears cried “Oh my god, I’m pregnant too.”
After the initial tests at my GP, it was all set up very fast because I was pregnant. It was all a bit of a whirlwind. I spent my birthday and wedding anniversary week waiting for the results of the biopsy.
When they said “you have cancer,” I just burst into tears. I just grabbed my bump and in tears cried “Oh my god, I’m pregnant too.”
I was diagnosed with stage 3 tonsil cancer, already spreading into the neck and working down the lymph nodes, heading for my chest."
I wanted them to take care of the baby and make sure she was okay.
"I was completely mind blown and devastated. It was so early in my pregnancy. I was so overwhelmed and aware that as a parent, I am responsible for protecting this little baby I’m growing and so attached to. In that instant, I didn’t know what the outcome for the baby would be. This scenario was not something I’d ever really thought about before – it had never been on my radar that I could be pregnant and have cancer.
With the full diagnosis and spread confirmed, consultants began discussing the viability of my pregnancy, and whether we should continue, whether we could deliver our daughter that early. If so, what would her chances be?
Fortunately it was decided that I could remain pregnant and undergo extensive surgery to remove the cancer. We were advised that this might get us nearer to 32 weeks pregnancy before our daughter would then be delivered by planned section.
Three weeks later I went in for a four-hour surgery to remove the tumour and lymph nodes. Very unusual for anyone in pregnancy, and very scary with the known risks involved. I said I really wanted foetal monitoring if anything went wrong with my blood pressure. I wanted them to take care of the baby and make sure she was okay. I 'went to sleep' with my hands around my precious bump, tears in my eyes and promising her that we would get through it together.
We were thrilled to find out following this surgery that it had been successful and obtained clear margins all round. The surgeons were happy to give us until 34 weeks of pregnancy before needing to deliver our daughter to then start my treatment, and at 34 weeks we had a chance of induction bringing on a natural labour.
So at exactly 34 weeks we went into hospital for induction, and on the third day I managed to deliver our baby girl naturally. She weighed just 4lb9oz but she's perfect. We named her Darcey. She went straight to the neonatal unit and needed oxygen support."
One week after the birth I started chemotherapy. It was horrible.
"One week after the birth I started chemotherapy. It was horrible. I hated having to leave her and desperately wanted to take her with me. Most mothers, when their child is born, get to bond with their baby. Instead, I was having chemo.
The next time I went in for chemo I took her with me. That cuddle time got me through the chemo. She was very popular with the nurses."
Ian, my Macmillan nurse, visited me every time I was in the hospital.
"Ian, my Macmillan nurse, visited me every time I was in the hospital and it was nice to see a consistent face. To know that there is someone there who knows you, your personal circumstances, and has totally got your back in liaising with all the various consultants, it's been invaluable.
I felt respected and supported throughout. He dealt with the more practical side of things. It saved me having to try and think of things like who to call and what number – he sorted it out."
Tag: CNCD DGN
