Baby surprise for cancer survivor
Breast cancer survivor Helen Gastev describes her daughter Neisha as her miracle.
At age 32, the Reservoir woman began chemotherapy for aggressive breast cancer, and despite having her eggs frozen she gave up on her dream of motherhood.
So the former nursing assistant was stunned when, less than a year after completing cancer treatment, doctors revealed she was six months pregnant. Ms Gastev had been experiencing chronic nausea, headaches and vomiting, leaving doctors fearing the worst.
"They thought cancer had spread to my bones," Ms Gastev said.
"I had to do MRIs and bone scans. I had test after test, they all came back OK, but the last test found cysts around my ovary. They did an internal and there was a baby. I said 'no it can't be' and the doctor said 'turn around and look at the monitor'.
"I named her Neisha which means 'God's miracle' in Hebrew."
Seven years on from her own scare, the disease has touched her life twice more.
The disease killed her father last year, while an aunt is now in remission. For the fourth year in a row in October the single mum will hold a Girls' Night In event to fundraise for the Cancer Council. The invite-only event will include auctions and entertainment.
"When I was a patient the way I was looked after was unbelievable so it's good to give something back."
Victoria, Australia