In this series, we capture the bravery, strength, honesty, hope and resilience of Albertans living with cancer.
As told to Elizabeth Chorney-Booth
A cancer diagnosis is a major disruption in anyone’s life, and navigating treatment while raising a young family presents unique challenges. Charlene Broughton knew that bringing a third child into her already busy home would make life more hectic. But she did not expect to be diagnosed with Paget’s disease, a rare form of breast cancer, shortly after giving birth to her now-three-year-old daughter, Whitney.
Now officially cancer-free, Broughton underwent multiple surgeries, including the removal of one of her breasts. She also underwent breast reconstruction surgery, all while running a household and caring for an infant and her two older kids, both under 10. With a can-do attitude and the support of her family, Broughton was able not only to get through cancer treatment over the course of three very busy years, but she has also come out of it with a new lease on life.
“While I was pregnant, I was having some discharge and skin problems on my breast. At first, I thought it was early colostrum and [my doctors] told me to get it checked after I had the baby. My skin wasn’t healing. I was exhausted, and I kept blaming myself. But once I had the diagnosis, as much as it was bad news, I was relieved because at least I had an answer.
“[My oncologists] didn’t have to take the other breast because I was negative for the genetic component [that could cause a recurrence]. Reconstruction required using tissue from my lower abdomen to fill the breast. I did have to get a couple of extra surgeries to balance everything out — there was liposuction and revisions to get the breasts to be the same size. Then they had to create a nipple, and I had a tattoo of the nipple as the last piece. Things [with my reconstruction] are looking pretty good.
“I also have two older kids to care for, so life didn’t stop. We did have lots of help — my parents or my husband’s parents would take the older two, and then my husband and I would take Whitney to my appointments. Once it came to surgery time, my sister was a big help. She just took Whitney for three weeks while I recovered.
“I had so many questions and thoughts throughout it all, but for the most part, it was good news after the diagnosis. I definitely tried to stay positive and put on that brave face.
“But it really puts how I look at things going forward into perspective, too. I don’t know what life is going to bring. I’ve gotten a real passion for coaching girls’ softball and want to focus more on that. I should be doing the things I enjoy. I’m getting there.”
