New mother becomes cancer patient

Burn unit nurse Megan Kelly knew that with her family history she was at high risk of breast cancer.

"My mom had breast cancer twice and both of her sisters each had breast cancer themselves." Kelly said

So Kelly along with her twin sister decided to get tested for the genetic mutation at the same time.

Only one of them tested positive. It was Megan.

27-year old Megan decided that because no on in her family got breast cancer in their 20's that she would get a preventative mastectomy when she was 30, after having children.

However two weeks before Megan gave birth to her new son Emmett she found a lump in her breast, something no mother wants to find.

“Whenever we see a young woman with breast cancer, we are on high alert. It was complicated by the fact that she was pregnant.” said Doctor Jessica Maxwell, the breast surgical oncologist at the very hospital where Megan worked.

Megan had gone from nurse to patient.

"When I come back to the hospital, it’s my friends who are taking care of me, sorry.” said Megan

Despite the complications pregnancy can have on breast cancer treatment two weeks after giving birth Megan began chemotherapy.

“I feel like having my son was one of the more challenging things I’ve done and getting diagnosed with breast cancer is one of the most challenging in my life, so doing both has been difficult. I felt lucky that I found it when I did, because it’s hard to detect once you are breast feeding.”

Megan is in good spirits despite the difficult time, using trips to Nebraska Medicine for treatment as a chance to show off her bundle of joy to her friends, and hopefully line up a few future baby sitters.

Megan also said her case had inspired some of her friends.

“I’ve heard some of the other women at the hospital have seen what has happened to me and gotten themselves checked, which I think is really awesome.”

As Mother's Day approaches Emmett's journey reminded Megan of the health scares her own mother went through twice.

"After seeing my mom do it and being a mom – it shows me how strong she is, and how much I appreciate her.”

Megan says her son has been a welcome distraction through this very tough time.