Third Strand Baby Gianna
“In April 2020, I received a breast cancer diagnosis when I was thirty-six years old, during the height of the pandemic. It coincided with my son's second birthday, and while my husband and I had hoped to expand our family with another pregnancy, we were advised to proceed directly with surgery and treatment.
In June, I underwent bilateral mastectomy surgery, followed by chemotherapy in July. My oncologist informed me that the treatment would induce menopause, which would likely be permanent. Though I mourned the loss of having another child, I held onto hope, believing that faith can make anything possible.
My focus became centered on fighting for survival, and due to the added concerns of the pandemic, I had to attend all treatment appointments alone to protect immunocompromised individuals.
However, I never felt alone, as I believed that God was with me every step of the way. After six months of chemotherapy, I completed two months of radiation, followed by six more months of targeted therapy and an additional year of targeted oral treatment. Surprisingly, shortly after completing my treatment in the fall of 2022, we discovered that I was pregnant with a baby girl. The medical community was astonished at how quickly my body recovered, and we consider this pregnancy to be a miracle and a true blessing.
As my due date approached, a new source of grief emerged during my conversations with friends, family, and even some medical professionals. Many people asked if I planned to breastfeed my baby, despite being aware of my battle with breast cancer. While I understand that their inquiries stem from care and it's a routine question for pregnant women, repeatedly explaining that I would be unable to breastfeed my daughter has been heartbreaking. I breastfed my son until he was eighteen months old, going through the challenges of pumping at work and managing my milk supply.
It was a demanding but fulfilling experience, knowing that I was nourishing my son's growth. The most difficult aspects of breast cancer for me have been the uncertainty of witnessing my son's future, the belief that I couldn't conceive after treatment, and the inability to breastfeed my daughter.
I came across Third Strand through a support group for Babies After Breast Cancer. The generosity of mothers who donate their milk to babies in need is a testament to God's love on Earth. My family has been amazed by Third Strand's prompt response to our request and the seamless delivery of donated milk to our doorstep. We will forever be grateful to the selfless mothers who donate, the organizers of the foundation, and those who sustain its mission. We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of our daughter next week, and when asked about breastfeeding, I can confidently answer with joy in my heart that our daughter is nourished by donor breast milk from Third Strand.
From the depths of my heart, I thank you for this invaluable gift.”
