"The surgery was long and grueling - almost 12 hours - and my recovery was tough. I couldn't lift my baby for weeks. My husband served as a caregiver for both me and our son, while my mom and sisters rotated shifts to help. I hated feeling like a visitor in my own life, but slowly my strength began to return. It took me about a year to fully recover and start to feel like myself again."
"Follow-up scans showed no evidence of disease. Eighteen months passed, then two years, with no return of the cancer. Even the doctor was surprised. Three years after the surgery, I discovered I was pregnant with my second son. My oncologist was stunned because he was the one who had told me I wouldn't be able to have any more kids. The five-year mark arrived, and my scans were still clear."
"I also discovered my rights as a patient - my right to ask questions, voice my concerns and disagree with the doctor if need be. I learned to push for tests, to get second - even third - opinions, and not feel bad for doing it. The first time I heard the words "It's probably nothing," I believed them. But "probably" isn't enough when it's your life on the line. You are your best advocate, and this experience helped me realize that."
Underwent a nearly 12-hour HIPEC surgery with a difficult recovery, unable to lift her baby for weeks and relying on her husband, mother and sisters for caregiving. Gradual strength returned, taking about a year to feel fully recovered. Follow-up scans remained clear through multiple milestones, and successive pregnancies occurred three, five, and seven years post-surgery, defying medical expectations. Eighteen years after surgery, there is still no evidence of disease and her eldest child is now 18. The experience reinforced the importance of questioning medical certainty, advocating for tests and second opinions, and relying on faith and family support.
Read at BuzzFeed
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