In November 2009, I was in my early 3rd trimester with my youngest. It had been weeks since I’ve noticed a bloody discharge from my left breast. I wanted to get it fixed so that I can be ready to breastfeed my baby when she’ll be born in a few months. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of a roller coaster ride that I didn’t want to be in. After some diagnostic tests and the doctors meeting with oncologist, they presented me a plan- 2 rounds of chemo, deliver baby, finish chemo, surgery, etc. Since the cancer cells were the “nasty” type and were very aggressive, prolonging treatment was not recommended. My OB doctor didn’t want to deliver the baby prematurely. I was devastated to find out that my baby would have to get chemo because of me. I asked for a second opinion if the option to deliver baby prematurely was viable. It was a very tough decision to make- keep baby to term while taking in chemo drugs or delivering baby prematurely then start chemo after. We chose the latter. She was born via C-section at about 5 lbs. Then, it was time for my first surgery, a left radical mastectomy with lymph node dissection. After recuperating from surgery, I went back to work part-time. Shortly after, I went back to school to finish my graduate degree. I started radiation therapy in October, 2010. It was over 30 daily treatments. I would work in the morning, radiation therapy at lunchtime, then go to my internship at the mental health center. I also developed inflammation in my left arms (lymphedema). I went to physical therapy treatments in the evenings. Weeks after the treatments, my skin healed but the exhaustion was worse. In December 2012, after the breast surgeon felt another suspicious lump on the right breast (mammogram revealed it was negative), I chose to have another mastectomy and reconstructive surgery for both. Now, I am more strong and active with Isabella, 7, and Lauren, 4, Mom. Every day is a blessing.

Lean Smart
Murrieta, CA