Woman's pregnancy nightmare after doctors misdiagnose cancer lump
This mum was told that a lump in her breast was benign but six months later she was diagnosed with cancer while she was pregnant with her fifth child.
After receiving the shocking news she had to undergo four rounds of chemotherapy before giving birth – and now she’s urging other women about her tale.
In June 2018, small business owner, Michelle McClain, 39, from California in the US, was browsing the internet when an advert about the importance of checking breasts for changes popped up.
Encouraged by the advert, Michelle pressed down on her right breast and was alarmed when she immediately felt a lump.
“I panicked as I didn't expect to feel anything,” said recalled.
The next day she went to the doctor and had to have a mammogram and ultrasound which came back saying she had fibroadenoma, a benign tumour.
The mum-of-four felt uneasy by the reassuring news as her gut was telling her the lump was more serious, but she was told to come back in six months for a follow up.
In December, Michelle was pregnant and when her breast was examined she was informed that the lump had doubled in size and at that point she was certain she had cancer.
“I was completely numb. I didn’t know if I should cry or scream or both but I didn’t because cancer wasn't confirmed just yet,” she said.
On January 15, 2019, at 19 weeks pregnant, she received the devastating news that she had stage two invasive breast cancer. Michelle was terrified about what was going to happen to her unborn child and other children who needed her.
“That phone call was the worst day of my life. I was at work when I received the call. I immediately broke down, everyone was at lunch at the time so I was in the office by myself,” she said.
She was given four rounds of chemotherapy which she was told would be safe for her baby to shrink the tumour and stop it from spreading so that she could continue with the pregnancy past 34 weeks.
“I didn't want to lose my baby, I cried every time I thought about it. I was nervous going through chemo. Although my Oncologist said it was perfectly safe, I still worried,” Michelle said.
Less than a month after her last session, she was induced and gave birth to her daughter Dakota in May this year.
Michelle has been sharing her story on Facebook and Instagram after not having any knowledge of breast cancer before she was diagnosed and says it has helped her stay positive and she hopes she’ll be able to save a life by raising awareness.
Michelle’s husband, Mike and other children, Audrey, 16, Natalie 14, Dylan 9 and Mieka 6 have been her rock throughout her cancer fight. The family were relieved when Dakota arrived into the world safely and signalled that Michelle could fight her cancer head on.
Since her diagnosis Michelle has been encouraging women to check their breasts regularly and wants to encourage them to be their own advocate if they sense something isn’t right with their body.
“Never think that it could never happen to you. It only takes a minute to do a self-exam. Please do it because cancer does not discriminate,” she said.
“When something doesn't feel right, speak up. It's important to be your own advocate. You know your body best.”
- Australscope
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