podcast
RISE Podcast S1 Ep 2
Facing a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy is a rare and challenging experience that can impact both your health and your unborn child’s well-being. The journey of managing cancer while pregnant is filled with unique obstacles, affecting your emotional and physical resilience.
Concerns about how cancer treatment might affect not only your health but also the well-being of your baby and your future fertility are natural. My husband and I personally underwent this journey when I was diagnosed at 14 weeks into my pregnancy. I underwent a lumpectomy at 16 weeks, and then made the difficult decision to begin chemotherapy, on my doctors’ recommendation, at 22 weeks. I had to pause chemotherapy after two sessions to give birth at 36 weeks, only to resume chemo when my baby was just a few weeks old. The treatment was followed by radiation. All of this was very hard to go through during the postpartum period, but I got through it.
In the end, I was blessed with a healthy baby girl whom I named Journi, symbolizing the transformative journey we embarked on together. It was during this experience that my mission crystallized: to support and empower other expectant mothers facing a similar challenge. I want them to know that it is feasible to navigate pregnancy alongside treatment and still bring forth a healthy, joyful baby. I want every mother in this situation to understand that they need not face this journey alone.
It’s possible to navigate pregnancy and cancer treatment simultaneously, emerging with both a healthy child and renewed strength.
I founded Journi For Two because of the resilience and hope that guided me through my own journey. By sharing my story, I aim to provide a source of inspiration and information for pregnant mothers undergoing cancer treatment. Together, we can navigate this challenging path and emerge with strength, courage, and the belief that a positive outcome is attainable.
— Alicia Harris
