Hello!

Join Login
Learn More

Article ‘I Thought Something Was Wrong With My Baby, But It Was Cancer’

By

14 Comments

At five months pregnant with her first baby, Teharnee Peel was filled with excitement – setting up her son’s nursery and counting down the weeks until his arrival. Then she started to experience some bleeding.

The Queenslander’s first thought was that something was wrong with her baby.

“I went to my local Emergency Department in Mackay to get checked out as I had bleeding on and off multiple times,” Teharnee said.

“Harry was my biggest concern, he was our first baby and I wanted to do everything I could to save his life. Initially doctors thought it was a hematoma on my uterus or a low lying placenta that was causing issues.”

Teharnee Peel

But the reality was much more sinister. Doctors discovered the 34-year-old had a 6.5cm cancerous mass growing in her cervix. Teharnee and her husband Simon were in complete shock. Her most recent pap smear results had been negative and she had been vaccinated against the HPV (Human papillomavirus) virus.

A biopsy revealed the expecting mum had a suspected squamous cell carcinoma, one of the most common forms of cervical cancer. She was referred to South Brisbane’s Mater Cancer Care Centre for specialised cancer treatment by Senior Medical Oncologist Dr Catherine Shannon.

“I was waiting for results, waiting for a treatment plan, we had started putting the nursery together and I was gutted I couldn’t paint the nursery,” Teharnee, who is now in remission, said.

She underwent chemotherapy, saying she wanted to do ‘whatever it took’ to give her son the best chance of survival. She did three rounds of chemo every three weeks until Harry was born.

“Harry is now two years old and he’s a fighter, he was from the very beginning.

“I started chemotherapy while pregnant, then again four weeks after I had Harry in conjunction with radiation.”

Teharnee Peel

Teharnee Peel

Teharnee Peel

Harry was born at 32 weeks, weighing 2.3kg.

“I remember that day, I cried. Harry spent around three weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit,” she said.

“Harry was three months old when we returned to Mackay, we had been in Brisbane for five months, and Simon had taken seven months off work to be with us.”

Teharnee Peel

Teharnee is now an ambassador for the Trudy Crowley Foundation Cancer Support Centre in Mackay, and wants to encourage other women to listen to their bodies.

“Don’t be embarrassed about any gynecological issues, doctors have seen it all,” she said.

Share this

Comments

  • I’m so glad she listened to her body and went straight to the doctors. It would have been such a scary time for the whole family but they were fighters and that got them through a tough time. I’m so glad they are both doing okay now. The big C is a terrible thing to have.

    Reply

  • Sounds like they are both fighters. That would be the most horrible thing to have to go through- feeling scared for yourself and also concerned not to harm the baby. So glad everything worked out for them. Looks like a beautiful little family now. It’s definitely something that you need to keep getting checked out, no matter how uncomfortable.

    Reply

  • Glad her and her baby are okay <3 HPV vaccione is a scam! I had it when I was 20 and it caused me to grow a 23CM cyst during the 3 doses. It was growing from my ovary and I had to have that ovary removed. It's caused fertility issues in me ever since. Doctor told me it was a side effect from that HPV shot. And look at this, it didn't help her either! Scam!

    Reply

  • Thanks for sharing this story; it must have been such an incredible emotional experience and journey for the family. The courage of this woman is truly amazing and to be an ambassador is truly wonderful. Encouraging women to listen to their bodies is so important. Best wishes for the future for this family.

    • Yes, it must have been a very emotional and fearful experience and journey indeed ! Any bleeding during a pregnancy should raise our alarm bells. Thank God the real cause of the bleeding was detected and she could start chemotherapy while pregnant, then again four weeks after she had Harry in conjunction with radiation. Legends they are !

    Reply

  • Oh wow. That’s have been absolutely terrifying for her and her husband, I can’t even imagine. I’m so glad little Harry is doing ok now. I hope Teharnee is in good health and that she remains thst way and I wish them all the best for a healthy happy life together.

    Reply

  • What a dreadful thing to go through. I hope all is well now with Teharnee’s health and good to see that Harry is thriving. He is a gorgeous little guy.

    Reply

  • What an amazing woman. Hope all is well

    Reply

  • A friend had a similar problem and it was one of the most frightening times of her life.

    Reply

  • I don’t know what to say after reading this amazing story, who would have thought that this could happen and what this mum went through. That would have been so scary. I am so happy to hear that her child was born and he is doing well now but what a story to tell your child when they are older.

    Reply

  • Aw bless, it must be such a Shock to discover this during pregnancy. I can imagine this must have been a period of fear and concerns. I’m glad that this treatment during and after the pregnancy was possible and successful. Baby’s birth weight was actually very good for 32 weeks !

    • Thank God we live in this day and age with advanced medical care and treatment options ! I my self had squamous cell carcinoma (with perineural invasion) too, but not in /on my cervix. never the less any form of malignent cancer is scary and anxiety provoking. Glad Teharnee’s treatment was so succesful !

    Reply

  • What a story. I am so glad that everything has turned out well for this fighting pair, mother and son, and she is still here playing and living with her beautiful son. It must have been a terrific shock for all concerned and good on dad for taking 7 months off work to be by his bride’s side through this ordeal. Wishing a long life to all of you.

    Reply

  • What an incredibly strong woman. I can’t even imagine how I would begin to navigate a situation like this. Really happy to read that the family is doing well. My husband works in healthcare and I wish everyone would take Teharnee’s words to heart at the end of the article, there is nothing to be embarrassed about. They have seen everything up down side to side and only have your health care in mind. We need to listen to our bodies and take action the moment something doesn’t feel right.

    Reply
Post a comment

To post a review/comment please join us or login so we can allocate your points.

Join Login

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join