Abbey’s Cancer Care Story
Rounding with Patients: Abbey’s Story – Breast Cancer During Pregnancy
Hope plays a vital role in life, especially when facing a cancer diagnosis during a pregnancy. Abbey’s journey through breast cancer while expecting a newborn highlights the challenges of receiving treatment, the resilience she needed to survive, and the hope, care and support she received from her cancer care team at St. Elizabeth Healthcare.
Diagnosed while pregnant, Abbey navigated a profound layer of complexity while nurturing a growing life within her.
Q: Why did you choose St. Elizabeth Healthcare?
Abbey found her way to St. Elizabeth for its renowned care and compassionate approach. Its reputation for excellence in breast cancer care, particularly for pregnant women, drew her to St. Elizabeth.
“I was diagnosed at 24 weeks pregnant with my third child,” Abbey says. “I found the mass and asked my obstetrician about it. An ultrasound confirmed it was cancer.”
“I talked with two healthcare facilities, St. Elizabeth being one of them,” says Abbey. “Within a week, Brooke Holbrook, MD, an oncologist and Joseph Gunther, MD, a breast surgeon, had a plan in place and a lot of reasons why it was a good plan.”
Abbey felt like they weren’t just looking at her as a patient with breast cancer. In their eyes, she was a pregnant patient with breast cancer. “They tailored their treatment recommendations around my pregnancy and my life.”
Abbey lives in Ft. Thomas, so having the St. Elizabeth Cancer Care – Ft. Thomas close by made getting to appointments easier. “With the pre-testing I needed before surgery and chemo after, all while being a mom of two young kids, breaking away to go to these appointments isn’t always easy,” Abbey says. “You’re constantly leaving, and it’s not always easy to find people to watch your little ones on, sometimes daily, for chunks of time.” Convenience, on top of the cancer care expertise, was important to her.
Q: What was your experience like at St. Elizabeth Healthcare?
Navigating pregnancy and cancer presented unique challenges for Abbey. She had surgery within a week of meeting with her medical team. “It was super scary,” she said. “I had three rounds of chemotherapy, and then we paused because of the pregnancy. Once I recovered from delivering my baby, Jack, I resumed chemo.” After, she underwent radiation therapy. “It was a whirlwind of a year.”
“It was very scary. You have cancer, but you don’t know the extent. You don’t know what the outcome will be,” she says. “And even during the treatments, you still don’t know.”
Abbey says learning she had cancer was the worst day of her life. It’s something her oncology nurses understand, “We try to keep the environment uplifting and positive, but we also share in their tears,” says Nancy Jarvis, RN, an oncology nurse at the St. Elizabeth Cancer Care – Ft. Thomas. Dayna Summe, RN, another oncology nurse at the Ft. Thomas location, adds, “We embrace the whole person, focusing on holistic healing. It’s crucial that we help our patients, and provide comfort, compassion and a feeling of safety.”
Q: What are you most thankful for during your cancer care experience?
“I am thankful for a couple of things,” Abbey says. “I’m so incredibly thankful for the safety and health of my baby, born during the battle with cancer.”
She also appreciates the practitioners who have the experience and knowledge to know what to do. “I felt they put everything into my care.”
“There were times when I was just following the plan, but then there were times of worry. Everyone took the time to offer comfort and extra explanations to put me at ease.”
“I think about the little moments along the way where Ashley Coleman, APRN, Dr. Phillips or one of the infusion nurses or radiation doctors made me feel better about how things were going.” Abbey feels grateful for her team’s medical expertise and shared human connection. “At each chemo, they asked how I was doing – not just about the cancer but about unrelated things that were going on in my life.”
As a nurse, Jarvis understands this gratitude and lets it inspire her work. “It hit hard knowing we were responsible for two lives at once – the patient and the baby,” Jarvis says. “Our patients become like our families, deepening our commitment to their well-being.”
Q: What is the most memorable part of your experience that you want to share with others?
For Abbey, a memorable part of her experience was the team’s focus on her, making her a priority. “It felt different to be on the receiving end of care, where I was reminded to eat and was looked after. It was a stark contrast to the usual hustle of motherhood where I’d often forget to take a moment for myself,” Abbey says.
“I cherished the small moments, like bonding over Taylor Swift. It added a layer of personal connection,” she says. “And during a difficult time when my niece was ill and passed away, the team’s support extended beyond my treatment. Everyone asked about her, showing their deep compassion and support for challenges in my life unrelated to cancer,” she says. Abbey cherishes the memories of this collective care and empathy, highlighting the kindness surrounding her at St. Elizabeth.
Q: What are your hopes for your future?
“My hope for the future is simple yet profound: to witness my children grow and thrive through every milestone, from their high school graduation to their wedding day and beyond, whatever dreams they pursue,” Abbey says. “I aim to one day share our family’s story of positivity and strength during my cancer journey, a time they were too young to remember. “I have a baby book for Jack, and I wrote a little story to illustrate our collective triumph and the distance we’ve come together.”
Q: What advice would you give someone in a similar situation?
“My advice for anyone facing a similar situation is to take your journey step by step,” Abbey says. “When the road ahead seems long and uncertain, breaking it down into manageable parts can make a big difference. Focus on completing each phase of your treatment before moving to the next. Along the way, don’t overlook the small victories. Celebrate every win, no matter how minor, and strive to maintain a positive outlook.”
Abbey also says engaging in everyday activities as much as possible can be incredibly beneficial.
