Breast cancer-stricken woman delivers healthy baby while undergoing chemotherapy
TAWAU: A pregnant woman diagnosed with stage two breast cancer relied on her ‘faith’ and ‘hope’ to dispel whatever fears she had when seeking treatment for her ailment by putting her trust in the attending doctors and oncologists.
Forty-one-year old Henny Erlina was 11 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with breast cancer on August 28, 2018. As a mother attached to the Kunak Education Department, she felt devastated by the news of her ailment and in the ensuing days became confused as to whether she should continue with her pregnancy and seek treatment.
She shared her heartwrenching but inspiring story of the breast cancer treatment she had to undergo during her pregnancy in a very confused state and the difficult decision she had to make about the treatment option for breast cancer during pregnancy.
However, with the strong support and counseling by Tawau’s Kinabalu Pink Ribbon chairperson, Christy Salazar, who is also a breast cancer survivor, Henny made the determination to proceed with her treatment without turning back.
She underwent her left breast mastectomy operation at the Tawau General Hospital and followed up with the first cycle of her chemotherapy sessions on November 15, 2018 when she was 23 weeks pregnant. Her fourth cycle of chemotherapy was on January 17, 2019. She delivered a healthy 2.7 kgs baby boy at Tawau hospital on February 18, 2019.
Christy said Henny is a brave woman with a positive mind and attitude and will resume the fifth cycle of her chemotherapy any time soon after obtaining her CT Scan report.
Henny wants to share her story to inspire others in a similar predicament not to be afraid of go for the treatment.
Christy said seeking the right medical attention and having the right mental attitude, one must also have faith in the doctors and oncologists.
“I hope and always pray that I am not proven wrong,” Henny said, while reminding other women with breast cancer to always have ‘hope’ in abundance and that they are not alone in situations like this.
Henny said she always remembered the slogan of the Pinktober Run last year ‘HOPE’ where Christy announced that hope is the most powerful word in our daily life. She also thanked Christy for her fellowship and support rendered to her during her ordeal.