A young mother of three was dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with life-threatening cancer just weeks away from giving birth.
Nivek Johnson, a Canberra woman affectionately known as Niv, was 34 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.
The 37-year-old nurse felt a firm lump in one of her breasts and initially thought it was mastitis, a painful infection of the breast tissue.
“For a week or two I did some home remedies to try and clear what I thought was a blocked duct,” she told Daily Mail Australia.
“It never went away, so I went to see my GP and he prescribed me some antibiotics, but they weren’t effective.”
An ultrasound, mammogram and biopsy the following week revealed the lump was something far more sinister.
Ms Johnson couldn’t believe it after the doctor told her she had an aggressive, fast-growing tumour.
“It was definitely a roller coaster of emotions,” she said.
Nivek Johnson was 34 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer
“It was shocking and I’m still trying to come to terms with what happened.”
A week later she met with a team of oncologists who came up with a treatment plan for her.
“They decided it was best to start treatment while my baby was still in the womb,” Johnson said.
“I had three chemotherapy infusions while my little baby was still in my womb and then I had a short break so I could be born by C-section.”
Ms. Johnson’s closest friends have created a GoFundMe to help ease the financial burden and care for her family as she battles cancer.
“She’s as tough and stoic as anyone,” they wrote.
‘Less than 10 days after baby Felix arrived safely into the world, Niv resumed his fourth round of chemotherapy, which will be followed by a grueling regimen of surgery and radiation.
‘It’s no secret that adding a newborn to the family dynamic is no easy feat, but having the birth of a child overshadowed by cancer is the stuff of nightmares.’
Mrs. Johnson’s oncologists decided to start chemotherapy while her baby was still in the womb.
Generous Australians have already donated more than $25,000, which will go towards a meal delivery service, hiring a nanny for the children and covering the costs of treatment.
Ms. Johnson expressed her family’s deep gratitude for the support they have received during this difficult period.
“We are very grateful,” he said.
‘It’s very strange to ask for help, so creating this GoFundMe is probably not something I would have done on my own.
“We are so lucky and blessed to have such an amazing support network around us.”
Ms Johnson said juggling the neonatal period, sleepless nights and adjusting to more intensive chemotherapy has been a challenge.
She said it’s been difficult because she can’t be as active around the house.
“I used to be the primary caregiver, but now sometimes I need a break or I can’t get the kids to school,” Johnson said.
Ms Johnson hopes sharing her story will help raise awareness and encourage people to be alert and get checked.
“I can’t keep the houses clean like I usually do, I can’t cook as much as I used to and all that kind of stuff.”
She explained that her husband has been a great help and an amazing caregiver, but he will have to return to work at the end of August.
“I’m just taking it day by day at the moment, I haven’t looked too far into the future yet,” he said.
‘Going back to work after maternity was one of my goals, but now it has been put on the back burner.’
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