“I was diagnosed with breast cancer four days before I delivered my son.”
Last May, in the last few weeks of her pregnancy, Sheila Dauksis found a lump in her breast. She thought she was too young to have breast cancer but mentioned the lump to her obstetrician at her next prenatal appointment. Sheila was sent for an ultrasound, biopsy, and at 39 weeks into her pregnancy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Needing to initiate treatment, her son was born four days later weighing 7 pounds, 2 ounces. Instead of bonding with the baby, Sheila immediately had to have all of the tests she could not receive while pregnant and meet with a host of doctors. Friends and family members came to her rescue supporting her, her husband and their son.
Although she realizes that she had no choice, it was very difficult both physically and emotionally. Within the month of her diagnosis and delivering her son, she had a single mastectomy and subsequently started chemotherapy. She is currently receiving treatment. Her life has completely changed along with her perspective, “I don’t sweat the small stuff,” she remarked. “I truly believe my son saved my life. Had I not already been going to my obstetrician, I would not have sought medical advice for the lump so quickly. I am grateful that I have my son and I appreciate my supportive family and friends.”
According to the American Cancer Society, Sheila is one of approximately 3,000 pregnant women who are diagnosed annually with breast cancer. Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer found during pregnancy, while breastfeeding, or within the first year of delivery.