What happened, in summary

Melissa found a growing, painless lump in her left breast while breastfeeding her 1-year-old daughter. Testing confirmed stage 2B triple-negative breast cancer, and she soon learned that she was pregnant with her second child. She was in her late 20s and had to make treatment decisions around both her cancer and the pregnancy.

Her first genetic test was negative for BRCA mutations. She underwent a left mastectomy with removal of the lymph nodes under her left arm and placement of a chemotherapy port. A few days later, severe chest pain led to an emergency visit and a pulmonary embolism diagnosis. She remained on blood-thinning injections for the rest of the pregnancy and for 6 weeks afterward.

Chemotherapy began once she reached the second trimester. Melissa received 6 ACF infusions 2 weeks apart. The regimen included 5-FU, while Adriamycin was delivered through a 72-hour take-home pump; Taxol was avoided during pregnancy. Treatment caused hair loss, fatigue, nausea, constipation, anemia, rash and concentration problems.

Later genetic testing found an NBN mutation. After living with one breast for about 18 months, Melissa chose a right risk-reducing mastectomy and bilateral DIEP-flap reconstruction during a single 6-hour operation. At the time of the story, treatment was behind her, both daughters were doing well, and she encouraged other parents to accept help and focus on one stage at a time.