I’ll never forget that day, April 13th, 2004—the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer.
I had just celebrated my 35th birthday. I never thought in a million years I would get that kind of
news at age 35. Not only did I have breast cancer, I was also four months pregnant. The doctor
called me on the phone and said that I had breast cancer and would have to abort. I was devastated!
I knew I wouldn’t abort, that was not an option.
So many thoughts run through your head at once. Your first thought is—am I going to die? Especially
having a two year old son and being pregnant. My diagnosis was stage III and being pregnant also
meant that this was a very aggressive cancer. I was diagnosed and within one week, I was being
operated on. Three weeks later I had to start four rounds of chemotherapy. The scariest part was not
knowing if the baby was going to be affected. I had to pray continually and put it in God’s hands
because I had no control over any of it. Three weeks after my fourth round of chemo I gave birth to a
beautiful baby boy. Although he came five weeks early, he was perfectly healthy. Truly a miracle
from God. Three weeks later I started my next four rounds of chemo followed by 35 radiation treatments.
This was extremely difficult with an infant and a two year old to take care of. Thank God for
the help of family and friends!
I have been cancer free for two years now. I strongly believe that everything happens for a reason,
even if we don’t know what it is at the time. Ironically, having cancer has changed my life in so
many ways for the better. I see life and it’s many blessings so differently. I realize how much more
God, family and friends mean to me. I know that through prayer and my faith in God that I’ve been
healed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Women Supporting Women for all their support.
Lisa and her son when this article first appeared in our June 2006 newsletter |
