Brenda Killian found out she had advanced breast cancer in April — when she was four months pregnant. In choosing treatment, including highly toxic chemotherapy drugs, she and her doctors had to consider not only the effect on her cancer, but also the possible harm to her fetus.
Part One: Pregnant with cancer
August 24
Just a few years ago, patients like Brenda had to choose between ending their pregnancy or delaying their own cancer treatment until after the birth. Not anymore. Brenda and her doctors chose to treat her cancer immediately, while monitoring the growth of her fetus. UPDATE: Local mom with breast cancer delivers baby Abigail
Part Two: Abigail comes out 'scrapping'
Sept. 10
Full-sized and sporting more hair than her mother, Abigail Lee Killian was born by Caesarean section Sept. 5 at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center. All the early signs are reassuring, though it's far too soon to conclude that mom's chemotherapy had no effect on her developing fetus.
Update: Back to chemo, this time with a newborn
Dec. 31
One month after the birth of a healthy baby, Brenda Killian resumed chemotherapy. Coming to terms with breast cancer without letting it define her life is hard work. In the new year, Brenda faces radiation treatment, followed by reconstructive breast surgery.
Brenda Killian: July 29, 1977 - March 6, 2009
March 6
Barely a week after learning the cancer had come back, Killian died at Legacy Hopewell House Hospice in Southwest Portland, where she was taken after six days at Legacy Good Samaritan Hospital & Medical Center. “It was very peaceful at the end,” said her husband.
Cancer's return, and a quiet end
March 13
An MRI scan on Feb. 25 brought Brenda Killian stunning bad news: Cancer had spread to her bones. Doctors quickly got her pain under control, but the cancer overwhelmed their last counterattack. As Brenda slipped into unconsciousness, her family made the hard decision to move her into hospice care.
Video
A Rough Diagnosis — And Tough Choices
June 17
Cancer brings tough adjustments, to both effects and side effects. A month after her mastectomy, Brenda started chemo, and started to lose her hair. But all through treatment, she had a huge further concern: How might it affect the baby growing inside her?
Chemo — While Pregnant
June 18
A month after breast-removal surgery, Brenda started four rounds of follow-up chemo with highly toxic anti-cancer drugs. The side effects on her were minimal — "definitely livable," she said — but what about her fetus?
Time for "just being pregnant"
Aug. 4 / Aug. 18
Brenda completed four rounds of chemotherapy at the end of July, giving her five weeks to recover in time for her scheduled delivery by Caesarean section Sept. 5. The respite from cancer treatment has allowed her to look forward and focus on the birth of her daughter, who will be named Abigail. "What I'm trying to do," Brenda says, "is get my life back."
Surprise! Strangers provide baby shower
Aug. 29
Moved by Brenda's story of facing breast cancer while pregnant, employees of Wealthbridge Mortgage threw her a surprise, home-delivered baby shower. Among the gifts: a washer and dryer, a new bed (Brenda and Larry had been sleeping on an air mattress), baby clothes and toys, and cash. Adam Jacobus, with his wife Talia and daughter Alliyah, talks about how it came to be.
'Happiness, relief, joy'
Sept. 5 / Sept. 8
After months of worry that Brenda's chemotherapy for breast cancer might affect the fetus growing inside her, Brenda and Larry were reassured by baby Abigail's arrival. She came out full-term, full-sized and in full cry. And, unlike her mom, she had hair.
With baby Abby thriving, Brenda resumes — and finishes chemo
Oct. 6 / Dec. 17
This time, Mom didn't lose her hair. But chemotherapy, along with the bustle of looking after two children under age 4, robbed Brenda Killian of her usual energy. Her final day of chemo came eight days before Christmas.