Listen to Your Body
- Expectant mom Molly Jane Dougherty, 23, was misdiagnosed with an “abscess” in her jaw while pregnant then found out at the 37-week mark that she had bone cancer and had to wait to have the “football-sized” tumor removed after giving birth.
- Thankfully, Dougherty delivered a healthy baby boy and her surgery after the delivery was a success — doctors were able to get out most of the tumor, and she was treated with chemotherapy and radiation for the small part left.
- If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not, especially if the pain keeps getting worse. Some people ignore pain because of fear of finding out what could be wrong, or just explain it away as impacting wisdom teeth as Dougherty could have done.
- If you’re not satisfied with what your doctor is telling you, go seek out a second — or third — opinion.
The South Yorkshire, England native had initially been told by her dentist just a few months into her pregnancy that the growth was likely due to an abscess, but she finally went to the emergency room months later as the pain became more and more intense.
Read More“When I found out it was cancer it was heartbreaking,” she recalled of first learning the news. “My focus the whole time was just making sure my baby was OK, everything else came second.”
Fighting Cancer After Giving Birth
Just 8 hours after giving birth to her baby boy, Dougherty had to shift her focus to facing cancer surgery and treatment.
“It was so hard giving birth to Tommy but then having to say goodbye to him straight away,” Dougherty said. “But I barely even had time to think, I just got my bags packed and went.”
After a couple weeks of pre-surgery prep and consults. Dougherty underwent a grueling, 12-hour surgery which involved having her ear and jaw temporarily removed.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and doctors were able to get out most of the tumor. She had to be treated with chemotherapy and radiation to tackle the small part left.
Finally, a little over one month after giving birth, she was discharged and finally able to be heal and be with her son.
RELATED: A Cancer Diagnosis Right After Giving Birth — A Young Mom’s Struggle to Bond With Her Child
“Tommy is doing great,” she said of her healthy baby. And although her husband Tom had to step up as caregiver, he had a nice “distraction” with their baby.
Most importantly, Dougherty stayed in warrior mom mode throughout. “Everyone has said they can’t believe how happy I have been through it.”
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What Is Osteosarcoma?
Osteosarcoma starts in the bones. According to the American Cancer Society, most osteosarcomas occur in children, teens and young adults, usually starting in areas where bones are growing quickly, such as in the arm bones or near the ends of the legs. Most tumors develop around the knee, lower thighbone or near the shin.
RELATED: Dancing in the Rain: Osteosarcoma Survivor Sona Kocinsky’s Story of Bravery, Resilience and Hope
The next common spot is near the shoulder. Additionally, osteosarcoma can develop in the pelvis, shoulder and jaw, as in Dougherty’s case, and these areas are more common for adults.
Advocating for Your Health
If something doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not, especially if the pain keeps getting worse. Some people ignore pain because of fear of finding out what could be wrong, or just explain it away as impacting wisdom teeth and pop a few Advil, like Dougherty could have done.
Mom of two Amy Smith-Morris had a similar situation, but was found with a football-sized tumor on her ovary just weeks after getting married.
“At the age of 30, I started having really subtle symptoms. Bloating and 5 lbs of weight gain. That. Is. It,” She explained in an Instagram post. “There is no test for ovarian cancer (this is not something that is screened for on a pap). So, you are left to just pick up on these subtle symptoms that (well let’s face it) most women experience on a monthly basis.”
Be Pushy, Be Your Own Advocate… Don’t Settle
Smith-Morris continued, “But I had a voice inside of me saying that something wasn’t right. Medical receptionists put me off. Doctors said I was too young to have cancer. So I persistently and politely pushed back. You see, when I want to be, I’m quite annoying.”
“It’s not right that women are ignored when they are in pain, bloated, having menstrual irregularities, pain during sex, or constipation. It’s not right. But at the end of the day, the ONLY person truly responsible for my life is ME.”
In a previous interview with SurvivorNet, Dr. Zuri Murrell from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center shared how important it is to follow what your body is telling you and advocate for your own health. “The truth is you have to be in tune with your body,” he said, noting that “you should lead each doctor’s appointment with a plan — every appointment you leave as a patient, there should be a plan for what the doc is going to do for you.”
If you’re not satisfied with what your doctor is telling you, go seek out a second — or third — opinion.
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