Young Mother Treated For Breast Cancer While Pregnant
By Kathy Walsh
LITTLETON, Colo. (CBS4)- A young couple from Littleton is overjoyed with the birth of their second daughter. They are thankful for both baby and mother. That's because Tess Carruth was treated for breast cancer while pregnant.
On April 29, Carruth delivered a beautiful, healthy baby girl. She named her Grace for a reason.
"The bible verse for it is 'By grace that you've been saved and not of yourselves, the gift of God,' " said Carruth.
Baby Grace is a blessing. Tess and her husband, Joe, were excited to be having a sibling for 3-year-old, Zoe. But eight weeks into her pregnancy, the doctor found a lump in Carruth's right breast. It was very aggressive cancer.
"It was really awful. I was scared, really scared," Carruth said while choking back tears.
And things got worse. Carruth told CBS4 Health Specialist Kathy Walsh that a surgeon recommended she abort.
"I was horrified and I just left. And in my mind that wasn't an option," said Carruth.
Carruth, 30, then turned to Dr. Virginia Borges at the University of Colorado Hospital, an expert on breast cancer care for young women.
Carruth had chemotherapy and a lumpectomy while pregnant.
"She's amazing," Carruth said about Dr. Borges. "I don't know where I'd be without her."
These days, Carruth marvels at her adorable 3-month-old. She said through her whole pregnancy she didn't think she would ever meet Grace.
Carruth has a double mastectomy and more treatment ahead of her. Her family is her strength, her precious babies are her motivation, her goal is simply to be a normal mom.
To support breast cancer research and programs at the University of Colorado Hospital, men are invited to attend the 16th annual Men for the Cure, on Sept. 15. The event was co-founded by CBS4's Ed Greene and Sharon Magness Blake.
LINK: Men For The Cure
Kathy Walsh is CBS4's Weekend Anchor and Health Specialist. She has been with CBS4 for more than 30 years. She is always open to story ideas. Follow Kathy on Twitter @WalshCBS4.
