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A Baby After Breast Cancer

As Told By: Anonymous

By the time 1998 rolled around, I had two daughters - one was eighteen years old, and the other was three. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. I underwent chemotherapy, mastectomy/reconstruction (on April 21, 1998), and radiation.

I then went on Tamoxifin. By the time April 21st rolled around in 1999, I found that I was pregnant. But, because of the use of the Tamoxifin, I was advised to abort the pregnancy. By the time the procedure was done, I was 15 weeks.

In the doctor's office I heard the baby's heart beat and just went to pieces. But in my heart, I knew it was best, as they said that limbs were missing in lab animals.

Finally, I got past this and became pregnant in 2000. This time, I went off the Tamoxifin immediately, as I wanted to keep this baby.

My daughter was born 10/5/2000 at 34 weeks and at 4 1/2 pounds. Life was great.

Then, in 2003 (10 days before my 43rd birthday), I was informed that I had Mestatic Breast Cancer. I was told that, at that point, I could hope for 3-6 years. I went to pieces, as by that time, my last daughter was to be three the next month.

So we tried the hormonal treatment, but after three months that proved to be no good. We then went on to Taxotere from February to September and also a clinical trial drug. This worked well, so I got a "vacation" for a few months.

I began chemotherapy again on June 28th of this year - Xeloda, which is in pill form. Two weeks on and one week off. But the side effects were too great, so I am now on Abraxane, which seems to be working well for me. As I understand it, there are no toxins involved.

And so here I stand, still working full-time, with my youngest headed to Kindergarten.

I intend to fight this battle for as long as I can.

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