Mother continues pregnancy while taking cancer treatment

Shameka Woodley found out on Jan. 20 of this year that she was pregnant with her third child.

At the same time the strips on her store-bought test were turning pink, her phone was ringing in the other room. It was her doctor, telling her to come to the office the next day to discuss the results of a biopsy done on a lump in her breast.

Barely 12 hours after learning the exciting news, she received devastating news — breast cancer had struck her family again after her sister battled the exact same type only two years before.

Woodley’s doctor told her the pregnancy would limit her treatment options, and there was a high risk of complications or miscarriage. The doctor presented the option of having an abortion, noting that Woodley “had two other children to live for.” The doctor also explained the cancer was aggressive, so a decision would have to be reached quickly.

Then came the worst news of all — Woodley’s ovaries would have to be removed eventually, eliminating the possibility of having another child naturally.

Woodley agonized over her decision. She talked with her husband and her pastor. Finally, while driving home from work one day, she heard God’s voice: “Have faith in Me this time.”

That settled it. Woodley said her doctor supported her decision. A team of two oncologists and two obstetricians — her regular one and one at a high-risk clinic — set up a plan.

“There’s always a possibility of miscarriage anyways, so I was willing to take the risk and trust my faith in God,” Woodley said.

On Feb. 28, Woodley had surgery to remove the tumor, which had grown to more than 5 centimeters. Once she reached her second trimester, she started taking chemotherapy once a week.

On the morning she was to get her sixth dose of chemotherapy, she began to have labor pains. Instead of driving her to chemotherapy, her husband drove her to the hospital. They arrived shortly before 8 a.m., and little Jaice was born at 9:14 a.m. unable to breathe on her own. Jaice was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters and given oxygen. She came home about five weeks after her birth and is now about 12 weeks old.

Woodley chose the name Jaice for her daughter after hearing the name “Chase” and thinking of things that rhymed. She looked up Jaice and learned that it means “healer” and “God is my salvation.”

“It was perfect for what I’m going through,” Woodley said.

Woodley now is able to complete chemotherapy and will be taking radiation as well before having a double mastectomy. She is grateful she has not gotten sick from the chemotherapy and has been able to continue working and coaching the Suffolk Steelers cheerleaders.

“I am so happy with my decision to keep my pregnancy,” Woodley said. “I wanted her and me to make it. I wanted the best of both worlds.”

Woodley’s inspiring story won her a free makeover for the “Tutu, Bow Tie and Denim” Breast Cancer Awareness Photo Shoot sponsored by T.E. Cooke-Overton Funeral Home recently. The photos from the shoot will be used for breast cancer awareness during October, which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.