Cancer Pregnancy

Cancer Fighting Mother Welcomes Healthy Baby Boy After Two Months of Chemo

Cancer is a frightening diagnosis for anyone, but for Jade Devis, the news of Stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer couldn’t have come at a worse time.

She’d been feeling the effects for weeks and initially thought it was the pregnancy that had her so sick.

Even doctors assumed she was suffering from common pregnancy ailments, but then in January, she discovered a lump in her breasts. Doctors did a biopsy and every mother’s worst fears came to life.

“We’re told growing up that, when your pregnant, you’re supposed to feel radiant,” she said.

“I had parent guilt. I felt bad for already feeling bad,” she said of deciding to undergo treatment. “Then, someone tells you the only way out of the situation [is] by doing one thing you’re not supposed to do, and that puts your baby in harm’s way.”

Luckily for Jade and her son, Bradley, oncologist Dr. Gayathri Nagaraj, knew just what to do.

“She received three cycles of chemo during the second and third trimesters of her pregnancy,” Nagaraj said of Devis. “We took a full week break so she could safely deliver baby Bradley. Now she’s completing the remainder of her chemo.”

Born on July 25th and weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces, little Bradley is the perfect picture of health.

Cancer Fighting Mother Welcomes Healthy Baby Boy After Two Months of Chemo

There were no complications during his birth. Much of it could be chalked up to the intuition and skill of his mother’s doctors, but even they say that Jade herself was the real hero in this story.

“There’s no need to wait until the baby is delivered and give your cancer a chance to grow,” Nagaraj said.

“There’s are risks, but there are benefits. Jade did great. She took all the medical support we offered her and she remains strong. I think this story is worth telling because of all the women her and Bradley would inspire.”

Her amazing reward is the smile and presence of little Bradley in her life.

“I love him so much. He’s my focus now,” Devis told “Good Morning America.”

She also advises that all women see their doctor immediately if they suspect that something is off – especially if they are pregnant.

“Try to express and exaggerate how much it hurts,” Devis added. “You’ll have horrible days, but there are days that will make you want to fight. Don’t let it get so ugly inside.”

It’s great advice, especially since her persistence played such an important role in saving not just her life, but little Bradley’s as well.

Congratulations to the proud mama!

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About the author

Kate

Kate Givans is a wife and a mother of five—four sons (one with autism) and a daughter. She’s an advocate for breastfeeding, women’s rights, against domestic violence, and equality for all. When not writing—be it creating her next romance novel or here on Growing Your Baby—Kate can be found discussing humanitarian issues, animal rights, eco-awareness, food, parenting, and her favorite books and shows on Twitter or Facebook. Laundry is the bane of her existence, but armed with a cup of coffee, she sometimes she gets it done.

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