How I survived Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Breast Cancer while Pregnant-Mastectomy-Chemotherapy

Four days after being diagnosed with HER2+ breast cancer, Beth Brubaker learned she was pregnant. An initial diagnosis of Stage Zero Ductal Carcinoma In Situ resulted in a lumpectomy and the second diagnosis required a mastectomy and a chemotherapy regimen of Adriamyicin, Cytoxin and eventually Taxol, Herceptin and Perjeta, Beth Brubaker achieved survivorship and gave birth to a healthy daughter, Harper. @cancerinterviews

Beth Brubaker of Alexandria, Kentucky first realized something was wrong when she noticed an ulcerated sore on her left nipple. When continued to bleed, she sought medical attention. That led to a diagnosis of Stage Zero Ductal Carcinoma In Situ, which meant that the cancer was confined to the breast ducts. This called for a lumpectomy, also known as breast preserving strategy.

However, when after six weeks the ulceration was still, Beth’s breast surgeon ordered an ultrasound-guided needle biopsy. Her diagnosis was changed to HER2+ Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, presenting as Paget’s Disease, a diagnosis that required a mastectomy and a chemotherapy regimen, all while Beth was carrying a child.

When Beth Brubaker was 20 and a half weeks pregnant, she began an aggressive chemotherapy regimen of Adraimyicin and Cytoxin. Incredibly, she didn’t experience the vomiting and nausea that are often associated with chemotherapy. After four rounds of this combination, she had to do an additional twelve weekly rounds of Taxol.

Meanwhile, not only had to juggle the enormity of cancer and pregnancy, she continued going into work as a schoolteacher. Beth Brubaker praises the administration at her high school for hand-selecting students who would be sensitive to her plight, which included good behavior and sanitizing their hands before entering her classroom.

When Beth Brubaker began her third trimester, she temporarily halted her chemotherapy regimen until Harper was born, a successful, uneventful birth. Harper came screaming into the world at five pounds, four ounces, her small size attributed by the care team to her being exposed to chemotherapy. Beth then resumed intake of Taxol, then transitioned to the targeted treatments of Herceptin and Perjeta for the next several months.

On August 1, 2019, Beth Brubaker celebrated taking her final round of breast cancer medication. She can now concentrate on raising Harper, who in 2024, turned five years old. Beth says Harper is smart, funny, witty and creative.

From this tumultuous experience, Beth and her husband, Jason, wrote a book, “25 Months.” It begins with Beth having a miscarriage, being diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer, her cancer treatment and the birth of Harper. The story from the alternative perspectives of Beth and Jason. It is available on Amazon.

By way of advice for anyone diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ breast cancer while pregnant, Beth Brubaker says to find the best medical team you can, and do not be afraid to ask questions, and to remember that there is life after cancer.

Additional Resources:

Book: “25 Months” by Jason and Beth Brubaker

https://www.amazon.com/25-months-Beth-Brubaker/dp/B0CRXKT1P8/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1R1HYT4Q0UVMP&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eUyLO70oEFDvBiSopLd0o6VRorDNg4DxBbRj1MnevyM0uTP6n8nU59kLJF_nUNc7_G_2-YVZds0OMceu686qHRj49a6GZ2NMdGvDjZtROUxHQ-zcWypFm08edYlLLnIbNZjRb-wTqolXVKHEIGmjWzOhceUGtPZaZkj5Y01Zar9b2Y79u3ZBGus8g91KsJtdHxE-wcMzPEkOxQQlXPnDAWSok-6n-uapVe6LGOPCsKU._TLmGuH9JTyM2H7ogvRxeKrFwD0mWOFhTemDgsSE3CI&dib_tag=se&keywords=25+months+beth+brubaker&qid=1712014905&sprefix=25+Months+%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-1

A portion of the profits from “25 Months” go here:

Harper’s Fund through the Karen Wellington Foundation - https://secure.givelively.org/donate/karen-wellington-memorial-foundation-for-living-with-breast/harper-jaye-brubaker-living-fund