Melissa Toft and Baby
On Monday, March 18 Melissa (Missy) got the news every woman dreads and no soon-to-be-mama could fathom. The biopsy of the lump that had been growing in her right breast during pregnancy came back positive for Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, the fancy way of saying she has breast cancer.
Missy's cancer is considered triple positive for three different types of cancer. One of the types, HER2, is more rare, but still has targeted treatments and her care team is confident they can treat and cure the cancer. Because of her pregnancy, her treatment plan will be slightly adjusted, and some drugs, specifically for HER2, will need to wait until after Baby Boy is born in June. The good news is Missy's care team has told her repeatedly how well pregnant women tend to handle these harsh treatments. Even better, the placenta will keep Baby Boy safe during chemo by filtering out the drugs.
Missy's first chemotherapy was in early April and she's been doing well so far, though she anticipates each treatment to be more challenging. The goal is to have four treatments before baby, and another four after he is born. Following her final round of chemotherapy, Missy will have to face the impossibly difficult decision of surgery options to remove the tumor and the possible threat of future cancers.
The treatment plan has forced her to take a sudden leave from her job as a 4th grade teacher at Jenny Lind in Minneapolis. At this point, it's difficult to know when she will be able to return to work. This is not only emotionally difficult for an incredibly dedicated teacher, but has placed an additional financial burden on the couple.
Missy and Matt's lives have been turned upside down by this news. They face a long and hard road but are approaching it in a way only these two extraordinary people would; with gratitude, strength, and of course humor. Growing and caring for a baby while fighting cancer is something no family should ever have to face; and this is where the support of her family and friends is needed most.
The continued loss of wages, the burden of medical bills for treatment, and expenses associated with high risk labor and delivery are a mounting source of unneeded stress for both Missy and Matt. The collection of our individual efforts will not eliminate the turmoil Missy and Matt are experiencing right now, but we're confident that it will ease them more gracefully through this challenging time. Any amount you feel comfortable donating will help allow the new parents to focus on their baby and Missy's health— thank you for your support!
