OK Mom Diagnosed With Cancer During Pregnancy Has Warning For Women

Some might consider Melissa Kahle's third baby her miracle child. Twenty-nine weeks into her pregnancy with baby Caysen, she realized something was terribly wrong.

Wednesday, May 29th 2013, 5:26 pm

By: News On 6


A Green Country mother has a warning for women, after she was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer while in her third trimester.

Some might consider Melissa Kahle's third baby her miracle child. Twenty-nine weeks into her pregnancy with baby Caysen, she realized something was terribly wrong.

"The pain was just unbearable. Intense. I couldn't sit. I couldn't eat. I couldn't sleep, and all I could take was Tylenol, being pregnant," Melissa said.

She had chest and stomach pains. Doctors thought it was high blood pressure or gallbladder problems.

"Over a process of a couple weeks, we finally found out it started in my left breast and spread into my liver and some bone areas, too," she said.

Melissa was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer.

"I was mostly concerned about the baby, like how it was going to affect the baby," Melissa said. "Did it spread to him? Were we going to have to take him early?"

In order for doctors to determine the full extent of her cancer, they wanted to take Caysen out at 33 weeks. On May 1, her 4-pound, 4-ounce baby boy was born.

"He did really well. He never had to have a feeding tube or ventilators," Melissa said.

Although he's healthy, the mother of three is now fighting a lifelong battle.

"I'm tired a lot. I'm worn out a lot. Chemo really brings you down, but I've got my husband for support, and my family," she said.

According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, about one-in-3,000 women have a chance of getting breast cancer while being pregnant.

"I had noticed some changes in my breasts, and I knew that I wasn't feeling good at all. I was in extreme pain, but I was just chalking it up to being pregnant," Melissa said.

It's been a rough road, but she said family support and spending priceless time with her bundle of joy reassures her that everything will be okay in the end.

Melissa underwent one round of chemotherapy, while she was pregnant. She faces even more treatments now.

To follow Melissa's journey with breast cancer, you can go to this Facebook page.

Also, a fund has been set up to help with Melissa's medical costs. You can donate to that fund at Spirit Bank in Sapulpa on 1315 East Taft.

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