Diagnosed with Cancer, Am Pregnant and Will Have My Breast Removed in 16 hours

If you know someone who had cancer while being pregnant, or personally went through this please send an email to me at ceo@sup.biz or post a reply here.

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July 12th

Here are some pictures from Before and After:

Looking at Ultrasound pics with Mother-in-law the evening before surgery

Close Up of My Baby's Face in 4D ultrasound the Afternoon Before Surgery

In recovery an hour after closing me up

Getting my Appetite Back in a Big Way the next morning

Leaving MDAnderson to go home

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July 9th

After getting diagnosed yesterday at MDAnderson, I decided I was not going to hide the fact. I am really scared for my life and for the life of my baby. At the same time, I can not help but to worry how people will look at me with only one breast. They are also going to have to remove a large portion of my back. The back skin and the back muscle will be used to cover the hole where my left breast and chest muscle will have used to have been.

The good news for everyone reading this is that I should be back from the hospital by Monday and able to work from my computer out of my bed. I am a strong willed woman and I plan to heal quickly. The other partners of the company met last night and decided to donate a portion of all the profits to breast cancer research. I cried when I saw that they had placed the pink ribbon on the logo today.

My twitter account, that was initially used for updating on Sta.rtUp.biz, is also going to be used for updates on my battle, which I will win. Please take a moment to sign up to follow me on Twitter and tell your friends about it. I would like to share my story every step of the way.

http://twitter.com/TweetStartUp

MDAdnerson has informed me that I will be the 6th pregnant woman in medical history to have a mastectomy. They also told me that there has been less than 100 documented cases of pregnant women with cancer since they started tracking in 1991. I hope that by getting my story out, that I will be able to connect with some of the other 98 or so women that have gone through what I am going through now. This is the only way that I will find answers because the doctors say they can give no answers with so few statistics.

So please share this post with everyone you know. Hopefully, the power of business networking can lead to me finding answers and spreading awareness at the same time. Little did I know that a few weeks ago while watching how Twitter was changing the way we see Iran, that I would be using it to find answers and support in the fight of my life.

My surgery is at 6am Friday morning. I should be able to give a twitter update in the evening or dictate it to a family member to tweet it for me. I want to thank everyone for taking the time to read this and for forwarding this message on to all of your contacts.

If you know someone who had cancer while being pregnant, or personally went through this please send an email to me at ceo@sup.biz or post a reply here.

Please Help Me Find These Women By Sharing This With All Your Friends and Contacts By Clicking Here

Natalie Regoli
CEO, SUp.biz
Future Cancer Survivor and Mom

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Keith Bernhardt on July 13, 2009 at 12:29pm: Natalie,

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Take Care,

Keith; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tanmay on July 13, 2009 at 12:39pm: Hi there, you need to go to www.empowher.com and talk to Michelle K. Robson. You will find support groups and tons of info there. I have been transcribing their podcasts for the past two years, although not directly , but there they need people like you to share your stories with other women and would appreciate it. You'll find a huge knowledge base and many many other women who are cancer survivors and you'd definitely benefit from their experience. The other place is Cancer Treatment Centers of America which is unique in its 'mother approach' and you can get consultancy as well as the best 'care' and treatment you could ever imagine. the website is www.cancercenter.com. Hope this helps and optimistic to get you interviewed at empowHer.

http://www.transcriptionhelp.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by May on July 13, 2009 at 12:45pm: Dear Natali:

Be rest assured it is well with you and your precious baby. My heartfelt prayers are with you and by the grace of God your victorious attitude will thrust you to heights you never imagined. Stay strong, beautiful, courageous and prayerful. You are definitely in my prayers.

Be blessed,
May Olusola
www.mannaexpressonline.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nadira Haniff on July 13, 2009 at 12:46pm: Natalie. So glad you made it safely through the surgery and both you and the baby are in good shape. Get some rest and gain your strength back. We are all thinking of you

Nadira; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ian McKenzie on July 13, 2009 at 12:47pm: Natalie,

To say that you are AMAZING is an understatement. I think your story will give others inspiration to overcome whatever obstacle you may face in life. The look on your face is that of a warrior and a champion!

I'm sure your husband and your entire family is extremely proud of you!

Blessings and Breakthroughs

Ian McKenzie; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Tom McLain on July 13, 2009 at 12:59pm: Natalie,

Wow, what a story. I am looking forward to talking with you about this period of your life 10 years from now. In late May, I was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, so I am laying down a challenge for you. Let's plan on sharing cancer survivor stories in July 2019!

I have every confidence you can handle this, particularly given the significant prayer coverage you are being given. I have garnered a lot of strength from my faith. I do not know where you stand and hope that I don't offend you by offering a bit of scripture, but I would like want to share a particularly encouraging verse with you: Isaiah 43:2 (NIV): "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze."

Hang in there, I'll be riding along with you – I start chemo today.

Tom; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Jennifer (www.BiggerRefundCheck.com) on July 13, 2009 at 12:53pm: For You Natalie (and anyone else with cancer),
You have to commit to taking care of your mental health as much as your physical health. Understand that depression is very real and can come at anytime for you and your husband. Both of you need to realize it, accept it, and deal with it if and when it comes.

Right now, you have so much going on you may not experience it. I would be mindful weeks and months down the road and also watch for postpartum depression. Don't ever hold back tears - neither you or your husband! Also know when it's time to take the "S" off your chest and stop being Superwoman.

You want to contact the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org or 800-ACS-2345. You want to get a buddy and tap into all their resources. A buddy is a person who survived the same type of cancer, so in your case a female breast cancer survivor. ACS has support groups for spouses and children that are very beneficial.

At your age, you want to find a buddy who when through breast cancer with a new born or toddler. I know you're trying to find those few women who had a mastectomy, but you still need a buddy who is local. You can talk to your buddy about anything - and the emotions are huge! Your buddy can also accompany you to medical appointments and consultations.

BTW, anytime you speak with a medical professional, you want to have a notebook handy and write things down. Too much is going to be said that you've never heard of; goes over your head; or just won't remember! It's also good to have a family member, friend, or your ACS buddy with you to take notes for you. Whenever possible, have a list of questions to ask at your appointments. The one notebook can also serve as a journal so that all of your thoughts and questions are in one place.

You definitely have the right fighting attitude! However, you want to make the time to take the time to get what you need from ACS, and also stay mindful of your mental health as well as your physical health. You're already wondering how people will look at you, and actually they probably won't! But, that's one example that can grow from curious to depression in some women.

I did not read through all of the posts. I actually hope that what I've written has already been said because it's very important and the repetition provides emphasis. You are already taking care of yourself and you are surrounded by people who love you and are praying for you!

You are correct that you will be fine!
Jennifer

Here's American Cancer Society info again so you don't have to search through this note:
www.cancer.org or 800-ACS-2345 and they are live on the phone and online 24/7; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Krystara-El Kumara on July 13, 2009 at 1:06pm: Dear Natalie. Thank you for sharing your heartwarming and courageous story. Hang in there. You are a strong woman and I see you victorious. I am sending you and your beautiful baby lots of prayers. We are here to support you. God bless you.

Krystara (aka Phyllis); ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Marilyn Meyer on July 13, 2009 at 1:08pm: Wow, what an extremely tough challenge to go through. My heart goes out to you... You look fantastic after going through your surgery and your challenging journey! You're beautiful!

I'm sending healing energy your way...

Love & Light,
Marilyn
www.LightHealer.net; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Oksana Linde on July 13, 2009 at 1:31pm: Dear Natalie,

I am very sorry about your condition, and although I am not sure surgery was the best option, I understand that maybe it was the correct step.
HERE IN VENEZUELA WE HAD AT LEAST ONE CASE. In february, my Ophtalmologist told me one of her colleagues, a young woman, aroung 34, had for the second time breast cancer stage 4, and she was going to deliver her baby in March.. I lost contact, but I will ask her about.

I do not know if you are familiar with the work of Dr. John Lee, Dr. Zava, and many other MD who made extensive studies about bio-identical hormones (the real ones we have inside, not these called progestins or "commercial progesterone" sold by Pharmaceutical industry, being really medroxy progesterone or other "artifacts", which is something completely different and our body cannot process).

I cannot understand how a pregnant woman, with a theoretically very high amount of progesterone being produced while in this state, can have cancer. Maybe something is wrong with the hormone balance and/or production, but it is obvious it has not been well studied, maybe due to the rare cases of breast cancer while pregnant... which is not an excuse for such an important issue needing more research.

I will write you again once I find my ophtalmologist and ask her what happened, for her friend was subject to chemotheraphy being pregnant, and this is really scary...

All my love and support,

Oksana
VE
oksana.lk@gmail.com; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by LisaLisa on July 13, 2009 at 1:43pm: Natalie....I'm sending you many prayers and support from my family to yours. May the grace of the Lord fall upon you and the baby always. I want you to know that you are not alone I had three sisters who went through this . Believe Natalie that all things are possible with God's love and that he is with you both.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Olivia Gaona on July 13, 2009 at 2:19pm: Many prayers for a speeding recovey, God will see you through this and you and your baby are going to be fine.

thanks for your courage to post this, I am passing it on to other women so they too, can learn from your experience.

God bless,
Oly; ▶ Reply to This