Pregnant Woman Battling Cancer May Give Birth On Her Birthday
BRAINTREE (CBS) -- Jodi Killeffer knows she's not alone in her battle against breast cancer.
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"It was devastating to hear that, and then to think I have cancer and a baby now," she says.
She's eight months pregnant and her unborn child has been with her every step of the way.
"I thought I would have to choose between the baby or me, but thankfully it didn't come down to that," Killeffer said.
Killeffer had already experienced four miscarriages.
She was 16 weeks pregnant when she and her husband, Nathan, were told the horrible news.
"This is my whole family right here, so the thought I could lose one or both of my family members is very frightening," he says.
"We had a lot of early losses, but this baby for some reason is a fighter and it's been fighting since day one," she added.
Killeffer's undergoing treatment at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where they have a special team for women who are pregnant with cancer.
She still has to undergo a second surgery and radiation, but she's been told she will be able to breastfeed.
"The cancer treatment has no effect on the baby, (and) the chemo has been filtered through the wonderful placenta," Killeffer said.
The baby is due on Sept. 8, which happens to be the same day as her birthday.
The expecting mother has been blogging about her story, hoping one day to be an inspiration for other women battling cancer.
"Anyway I can use my experience to help other women is a privilege," Killeffer said.
