Two Moments of Victory

A Baby Arrives and His Mom Beats Cancer

In May 2007, 28-year-old Ingrid Dobson experienced a moment every woman dreads; discovering a small lump under her armpit. Three years earlier she had tested positive for the BRCA 1 gene, a high-risk indicator for breast and ovarian cancer.

Ingrid, seven months pregnant with her second child, wasn't taking any chances. A few days later, an appointment with Dr. Leslie Scott at London Health Sciences Centre went from a manual exam, to an ultrasound to a mammogram and a biopsy - all in one day.

"I knew the doctors were concerned because all the tests were done so quickly," Ingrid says.

A week later, she and husband Dave got the news - stage-three breast cancer had already spread to the lymph nodes, even though the lump in the breast was so small.

The plan for Ingrid's treatment had to take into account her advanced pregnancy.

"We quickly knew that we needed to get other people involved," said Pat Baruth, an advanced practice nurse. "We had to speak with the gynaecologist obstetrician and speak with the oncologist to talk about how we could safely manage Ingrid's care and not harm her or the baby."

The future consolidation of Women's Health programs at the new Grace Donnelly Women's Health Pavilion in Victoria Hospital's North Tower will make these consultation and testing processes easier for both patients and staff. Fundraising for the North Tower is one of the current priorities of London Health Sciences Foundation.

"In women's health and my role working with breast patients we see all breast issues, whether they're benign or cancer related issues, I am part of a very strong team that meets weekly," says Pat Baruth. "Right now, we're used to coming from various sites in the city. We still provide great care even though we're in multiple facilities, but I think patient care and patient flow would be greatly impacted being in one centre - it would be easier."

A number of options were considered and shared with Ingrid and Dave. Mild chemotherapy may have still harmed the baby, and would have been less effective against the cancer. Operating before Healey was born, could cause complications for Ingrid and the full anaesthesia could induce labour.

After many ultrasounds, to check on baby Healey, it was determined that early induction followed by an aggressive treatment of chemotherapy, bi-lateral surgery and radiology was the best course.

"Everyone involved was just amazing," said Dave. "Having so many people that could explain what was happening to us was fantastic."

"I felt very confident in the doctors," Ingrid said. "I liked how they weren't shy to tell me their treatment plans, to give me options, and to tell me what they thought the best procedure was."

Healey Davis Dobson arrived four weeks early and weighed in at four pounds, thirteen ounces.

For most parents, the birth of a child is one of the most significant moments in their lives. For Ingrid and Dave, the joy of Healey's arrival was increased the moment they heard that he was healthy enough to go home.

Ingrid began her six months of chemotherapy five days later. It was hard, but the support from hospital staff helped. Pat Baruth even called weekly to see how Ingrid and Healey were coping.

"I see women in the prime of their life, working and having families and yet they have to deal with breast cancer and the treatment that they're going through," says Baruth. "I think about them while driving home at night and I feel fortunate that there's some way that I can help them."

Family and friends rallied around the family with both physical and spiritual support. While she has been an avid volunteer at London Health Sciences Foundation, lending a hand at fundraising events for the Hospital, this time Ingrid and her young family found themselves receiving help.

Since Dave and Ingrid are self-employed with their own design company, there were no sick benefits to cover everyday expenses, so Ingrid's family and friends held a fundraiser in her home town of Timmins. Friends and family also contributed panels for a healing quilt. Ingrid found comfort in the quilt's patches and images, using it to keep warm after chemotherapy sessions.

In December Ingrid underwent a double mastectomy, followed by five weeks of daily radiation. Then the moment they had waited for - learning Ingrid's cancer is now in remission. As Ingrid and Dave look back on the past year with all the low and high moments they've experienced, there is something that remains consistent:

"I cannot say enough kind things about my doctors and the staff at LHSC," says Ingrid "They're...just amazing."

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