Behind the complex web of ethics, legislation and emotion that surrounds drug use during pregnancy are many personal stories. And sometimes, it’s easy to forget that for every academic, theoretical debate over whether or not to treat a pregnant patient, there’s a real person at the center of this discussion.
But there are places that celebrate these women and the treatment they received, bringing their stories to life. Parenting.com shared the tales of 10 mothers who have survived cancer>. And some of these women were diagnosed during pregnancy.
Jacie Brandes, for example, had little choice but to start chemotherapy for treatment of her non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while pregnant. And in her story, it was the realization that she was responsible for two people surviving – not just herself – that gave her the strength to get through her grueling treatment.
Melissa Gonzalez was seven months pregnant when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. And she voices her gratitude at the science community for saving her – and her baby’s – life.
It’s experiences like these that help put research initiatives into perspective.
Do you have a story to share about cancer and pregnancy?