**A Mother’s Journey: How Curpri Sanders Overcame Cancer During Pregnancy**
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Curpri Sanders, a 37-year-old tissue authorisation specialist from Detroit, faced a daunting challenge when she was diagnosed with stage 2 triple-negative breast cancer just a month before the birth of her second child. The news was particularly poignant for Sanders, whose mother had succumbed to breast cancer just before her first son was born in 2018. The circumstances made the diagnosis all the more frightening, yet Sanders resolved to confront her situation with optimism.
Her journey began midway through her second pregnancy, when, during a routine moment of self-care, she discovered a lump in her right breast. “My throat closed up. I was like, ‘This cannot be,’” recalled Sanders. Despite the initial fear, she hoped it was simply a result of the bodily changes that accompany pregnancy. However, given her family history with breast cancer, she sought medical advice without delay.
The diagnosis turned her world upside down. “I felt numb,” Sanders admitted, reflecting on her mother’s battle with the disease and the disproportionate impact of breast cancer on Black women. For a week, she battled emotional turmoil until she made a pivotal decision: to focus on her health and that of her unborn child. “You have two lives at stake,” she reminded herself, leading her to choose a path of positivity and resilience.
Motivational affirmations soon became a cornerstone of her coping mechanism. Sanders transformed her home environment by posting uplifting notes in visible places: “You are already a survivor” and “Losing isn’t an option” served to remind her of her strength. She firmly believed in the idea that happiness is a conscious decision, and committed to maintaining a positive mindset despite the challenges she faced.
Approaching her chemotherapy sessions with a unique perspective, she referred to the visits as “spa days.” “If I got to sit in a chair for three-and-a-half hours, we’re going to lean back, take a nap, play music,” she explained. By turning what could have been a daunting experience into an occasion to relax and indulge, Sanders managed to navigate her treatment with grace. Surprisingly, she experienced minimal side effects, feeling only tired, but never nauseous or lacking an appetite.
In October 2022, Sanders welcomed her son Easton, whom she described as “perfect.” The elation of holding her newborn was coupled with a profound sense of achievement: “Me and you, we made it through,” she thought, celebrating their shared journey. Though she was unable to nurse due to her chemotherapy treatments, her friends rallied to support her by providing breast milk. The kindness shown by her friends reinforced the importance of having a steadfast support system while navigating such a trying experience.
Five months postpartum, Sanders underwent a double mastectomy and reconstruction. In a poignant twist, her surgical team used skin from a deceased donor to aid in the implant process — a connection that deepened the significance of her work in organ donation. “It made my role as an organ donation facilitator feel all the more meaningful,” she reflected.
Today, Sanders stands proudly as a cancer survivor, determined to use her experience to uplift others facing similar challenges. “I used to be so private. Now I love to talk about it,” she shared, expressing her desire to establish a non-profit called Pink Love, named in honour of her mother, who used the term during her own cancer journey. Through this initiative, Sanders hopes to provide valuable support to other breast cancer survivors and inspire them with her testimony.
While she acknowledges that her experience of pregnancy and motherhood has diverged from her earlier expectations, Sanders focuses on the positives. “We’re still here. We get to start new,” she reminds herself, embracing the future with renewed hope and determination. Sandra’s story serves as a testament to resilience, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, one can find strength and purpose.