We are honored that Jennifer Camhi decided to share her story with us. Read her own words below about how her breastfeeding journey took an unexpected turn with a cancer diagnosis.
As a soon-to-be first-time mom, I was determined to exclusively breastfeed my son. I was fortunate to receive excellent support from the lactation consultants at my birthing hospital, who guided me in achieving a proper latch, finding efficient breastfeeding positions, and understanding the dynamics of milk supply and demand. In 2018, options for breast pumps were somewhat limited, especially those covered by insurance. Once my son and I found our rhythm, breastfeeding became smooth, although I dreaded pumping. My pump required an AC adapter, which confined me to a specific location and made multitasking difficult. I often think about how The Pump by Babyation could have significantly improved my experience. Despite the challenges, I successfully balanced breastfeeding and pumping. My initial goal was to breastfeed for six months, but as that milestone approached, I extended it to one year. Then, as we neared the end of flu season, I decided to continue for another six months. However, life had other plans.
The day before my son’s first birthday, I found a hard lump in my left breast while showering. I was anxious but suspected it could be a benign fibroadenoma related to breastfeeding, as it didn’t feel like a clogged duct. A month later, after consulting my doctor, I was referred for a mammogram and ultrasound, which led to a biopsy. On February 13, 2020—just a month before the world went into lockdown—I received my diagnosis: Triple Negative Breast Cancer. My oncologist informed me that I needed to start chemotherapy immediately, marking the end of my breastfeeding journey. I had breastfed for 15 months. My treatment plan included a double mastectomy and radiation, meaning breastfeeding would no longer be an option if I chose to have more children.
During this journey, I connected with many young women who discovered lumps while breastfeeding like me. Many of them shared that their concerns were initially dismissed because of their age and the fact that they were breastfeeding. I’m grateful my doctor took my situation seriously and acted quickly. It’s so important for women to perform regular self-breast exams, attend OB-GYN appointments, get mammograms, and advocate for themselves if they notice any concerning symptoms. Breast cancer doesn’t discriminate—it can affect young and postpartum women, too.
I’m happy to share that my story has a positive outcome. Although chemotherapy caused temporary chemically induced menopause, I was thrilled to find myself pregnant one year after my diagnosis. I had a healthy pregnancy and welcomed another healthy baby boy into our family. While I regret not being able to breastfeed my second son, I’m forever grateful for the breastfeeding journey I had with my first.
Written by Jennifer Camhi
Babyation Ambassador, RN, Natural Minded Mama to Asher and Kannon, Triple Negative Breast Cancer Warrior 💗 @jennterrone
$50 Off The Pump Use Jen’s Code: JENNIFER75595
https://www.babyation.com/JENNIFER75595
