Right or wrong..In the news....

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KathiM
KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I'm certain many of you have seen the news lately about the breast cancer patient that was pregnant during her treatment. She continued, under the watchful eyes of MD Anderson Cancer Center, to receive wide-spectrum (evidenced by her lack of hair in the interviews....) chemotherapy. Recently she delivered a 'healthy' baby girl....

What do you think....should they have sought alternatives to the chemo during her pregnancy?

Hugs, Kathi

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  • ladybluepgh
    ladybluepgh Member Posts: 76
    #2
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    I certainly think they should have sought alternatives...who knows what could show up down the road for that "healthy" baby...I only pray that this child will lead a normal life.
  • phoenixrising
    phoenixrising Member Posts: 1,508
    #3
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    I didn't see this news and am quite surprised but without knowing the details of her case we can't know what the alternatives were other then not doing chemo till after delivery. Ladyblue is right. We don't know how the effects might show up down the road. I certainly hope the little one remains "healthy".

    I wonder if they will now be offering this to other pregnant BC patients deeming it a success.

    cheers
    jan
  • 3cbrca
    3cbrca Member Posts: 206
    #4
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    Boy, that's a tough one. If the stage was early enough, I'm sure that they sought alternatives. I know at my stage there weren't any alternatives to anything but the most aggresive tx.

    It's amazing how they can treat the fetus of Mom's who are HIV + so there are few babies in the U.S. being born with HIV - I'm sure that this baby had the same type of care. I have worked with adult and pediatric cancer researchers for years and they are incredible people. Based on my years with them, I believe that they wouldn't have done it without knowing there was minimum risk to the fetus. Actually, the procedure wouldn't have gotten past scientific review if the risks weren't pretty well known.
    She
  • chenheart
    chenheart Member Posts: 5,159
    #5
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    I hadn't heard this either, but I am not so shocked. I appreciate what C3 said about how treatment has the incidences of AIDS or HIV positive babies being on the decline. And chemo aside, I know that as a "baby boomer", my mom both smoked and drank with reckless abandon during pregnancy. As did many of the 1950's era women. Today it is practically unheard of. And yet by and large, an entire generation turned out alright. We are the grandparents of today and we are healthier than the generation which preceeded us. As they say, Go Figure!

    This is not to say that there might not be side-effects to this baby in the future. Even the best laid plans and good motives can go awry. Does anyone remember Thalidomide?

    I am believing that no one entered this decision on a whim ...family or physicians.

    Whoever you are, new mom~ Congratulations! Surviving BC, having a baby~ isn't Life sweet?
    I hope you both "Live Long and Prosper"...
    Hugs,
    Claudia
  • calgal98
    calgal98 Member Posts: 7
    #6
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    chenheart said:

    I hadn't heard this either, but I am not so shocked. I appreciate what C3 said about how treatment has the incidences of AIDS or HIV positive babies being on the decline. And chemo aside, I know that as a "baby boomer", my mom both smoked and drank with reckless abandon during pregnancy. As did many of the 1950's era women. Today it is practically unheard of. And yet by and large, an entire generation turned out alright. We are the grandparents of today and we are healthier than the generation which preceeded us. As they say, Go Figure!

    This is not to say that there might not be side-effects to this baby in the future. Even the best laid plans and good motives can go awry. Does anyone remember Thalidomide?

    I am believing that no one entered this decision on a whim ...family or physicians.

    Whoever you are, new mom~ Congratulations! Surviving BC, having a baby~ isn't Life sweet?
    I hope you both "Live Long and Prosper"...
    Hugs,
    Claudia

    I saw pics of the poor mamma (who had to go through this) and her beautiful baby. Baby looked healthy and doc said it was fine. Chemo didnt start until after the first trimester. But wouldn't it be hard to decide between your baby and your life??
  • jackiemanz
    jackiemanz Member Posts: 85
    #7
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    I didn't see it either. I think it's great.With the new studies being done and the new technology anything can happen even this.

    My niece just had a baby in August born premature only weighed 1lb 8oz but the baby now is doing great and weighs 8lbs. With God watching out over my great niece and with this new miracle baby all will be fine.

    Take care
    Jackie
  • seof
    seof Member Posts: 819 Member
    #8
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    I didn't see it either, but I would be amazed if they didn't look at every possibility they could to avoid such a thing. I would hate to have to choose between letting cancer grow for 9 months or having surgery with all its risks, or whatever else there might have been. We all have to make the best decisions we can with the information we have at hand and then live with the consequences.

    Best wishes to the family.

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