Any mamas pregnant after cancer?

[jwoodbri]

In a nutshell... I was diagnosed with melanoma last Nov. Ended up being stage 3 (in one of my lymph nodes). Had hoped previously to have four children but was in the process of talking myself out of it for fear of a recurrence during another pregnancy (which could be very bad as I would more or less be untreatable until I delivered.) My fear is based mainly on the fact that the melanoma appeared out of nowhere during my last pregnancy but it looked like nothing and figured it was some pregnancy related thing. Anyway this was supposed to be in a nutshell! Last Friday I was very surprised to find out I am pregnant. We are happy but the worry keeps creeping up too.

Anyone else have a baby after being diagnosed with cancer (especially stage 3ers?) How did everything turn out?

[SJ78]

Hi Mama, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer in 2006 DD was just 3 yo then but it was stage 2, had to go thru 2 surgeries in one week to completely remove my thyroid and undergo a Radio-active Iodine therapy. 4 yrs later I'm pregnant with DD2 I'm 22weeks today and baby couldn't be healthier, accept for a low laying placenta which I'm told will eventually move further along in my pregnancy

I know it's probably not the same type cancer as the one you had, but its cancer nevertheless and it is terrifying to think "what if it comes back". be strong mama at least for the LO growing inside you

HTH cheers

[Maluhia]

Melanoma survivor here, 2x but that was pre-pregnancy and it did not resurface during my pregnancy. I still live with the constant fear of reoccurance though, I just know I will have stage-1'ers cut off again and again for the rest of my life even though I've gone five years now without a malignant one.

[HRJ]

My sister-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy and underwent chemo during the pregnancy (it was in her lymph nodes). The baby is FINE even w/ the chemo! I would have your drs keep a good eye on you. i had a mole removed, and my derm said to keep an eye on my moles while PG and come in if there are any changes. But I think you will be fine. Congratulations to you!

[jwoodbri]

Thank you ladies. I sometimes feel as if I'm the only one in the situation but I know there are others out there! It would be so nice to just sit back and truly enjoy this pregnancy without the cancer what ifs. There are enough what ifs during pregnancy right?! Logically I know that I didn't get melanoma during my first two pregnancies so I don't really have a reason to believe it will come back during this one. It's just scary.

Anyway thanks again for sharing!

SJ78- Glad you are doing well after your battle with cancer. Congrats on your little one! Wishing you a wonderful pregnancy and delivery!

Maluhia- Nice to meet another melanoma survivor. That's terrific that you've been 5 years NED! I can't believe I haven't even hit my 1 year. It seems like we have gone through many years since my diagnosis and surgeries. So much has happened and I never would have believed that I would be pregnant this year after my diagnosis. Quite frankly I wasn't sure I would be alive now let alone alive and pregnant! I'm glad that you caught yours early. I hope that if I even have another primary I'll catch it early this time. Anyway it is very reassuring that you went through a pregnancy without a recurrence. Thank you for sharing!

HRJ- Thanks for sharing! I'm glad your SIL's baby (and assuming SIL) are fine now! It's amazing that with all the things we have to avoid while pregnant a baby can be fine through chemo but I have heard that before. Unfortunately chemo doesn't usually work on melanoma for stage 4 there is really just clinical trials as there isn't a cure and they wouldn't do those on a pregnant patient. But you are right, they could probably try something that would be ok. Thanks for the positive thoughts. I'm working on remaining positive because I can worry but that won't change anything. Or if it does it would only be for the worse... worry/stress is bad for the immune system afterall!

[HRJ]

I think you hit the nail on the head - stress is bad for your immune sytem AND it's bad for the baby. I got really worked up last weekend b/c my inlaws came and visited us right after visiting someone w/ MRSA (were in the hospital visiting the MRSA person Friday morning and were at our house at 4 pm same day). Plus I had a breast biopsy 3 days later (was benign). But between the two, I was SO tensed up, and the baby kicked me like it never had all night long. Told my mom and she said that there's a new article out in TIME magazine about maternal stress and the baby.

So I agree, relax and enjoy your pregnancy one day at a time.