Pregnancy and cancer

[minilemonade]

Hi guys. Sorry for the dark post but I just wanted some advice. I'm almost 17 weeks pregnant, I found out I was pregnant while on chemotherapy for a brain tumour so it was all very unexpected but luckily baby is doing really well :)

I obviously haven't been on chemotherapy since I found out (luckily found out very early on) but I've had an MRI scan last week and I have to meet my oncologist on Tuesday to discuss the results as I do every time. I'm a bit concerned because it's my first scan since not being on chemo for a while but whatever happens I will deal with. I'm making a list of questions to ask and so far I have:

Is there anything you can see that concerns you?

Is there any of the tumour left/how much/has it grown?

What are your plans for treatment? Do I need more chemotherapy?

Have you spoken to Mr Llewellyn (my consultant) and are there any issues you have regarding the pregnancy and birth?

Is there anything else anyone can think of asking?

I'm afraid I don't have any advice but I really hope it goes well for you and the baby.

It might be worth asking about being induced early if they want to start treatment asap.

(obviously not at 17 weeks but earlier than full term)

Yeah they can do the treatment during pregnancy as terrifying as it sounds and I only had two rounds of chemo left. Honestly I'm hoping just missing two out of a year's worth hasn't done any harm but I'm not going to know until the day I guess.

Thanks for the reply :)

@minilemonade I’m so sorry for what you are going through. I too don’t really have any advice but I guess if it was me I would want to know the impact of delaying treatment for the pregnancy, particularly if a higher grade aggressive tumour. I really hope the scan results are as good as they can be. Had you had much treatment prior to discovering your pregnancy? Wishing you all the best.

I had brain surgery, 6 weeks of radio and ten months of chemo out of a year's worth. Every scan has been good so far but this will be the first with no chemo for a few months

Hi @minilemonade first of all, so sorry to hear what you’re going through. Fab news that your baby is doing well though!

I am also pregnant (36 weeks now) and I also have cancer (thyroid) and have had to have two surgeries and am waiting for radioactive iodine treatment after giving birth. Mine doesn’t respond to chemo, so I wont be having it. Got diagnosed a week after I found out I was pregnant so not the same circumstances as you but I do feel for you as it’s really shit to have to deal with cancer when you should be allowed to just enjoy your pregnancy!

What I’ve found really helpful is a charity called Mummy’s Star which is specifically to support women like us (pregnant with cancer or up to one year after birth). If you join (there’s a private Facebook group) you’ll find lots of pregnant women going through the same thing as you - brain tumour, chemo, etc, and you’ll be able to get some great advice.

From reading other women’s stories on the group I gather chemo isn’t always stopped during pregnancy (which surprised me) so it may be worth asking your surgeon more about that.

Message me if you want the email address of the woman who organises the Facebook group so she can add you. Happy to chat anytime if you want some support and please don’t feel alone - apparently 1 in 1000 pregnancies are concurrent with cancer. We’ll get through this! Xxx

Really hope everything went well for you and baby today, @minilemonade

Thanks guys. All went well it was actually this morning but my brain screws up appointments these days 😂 no growth and no treatment needed. So a big weight off my mind. Just another MRI scan in November to keep an eye.

Also already joined mummy's star and they're really helpful thanks :) xx

Fantastic news I’m so pleased for you! Hope you can just crack on with enjoying your pregnancy now xx

What amazing news, so happy for you!!!