The Unbreakable Spirit
Nicole Lehrer
A 2x Cancer Survivor’s Story
by Nicole Lehrer
I am a 42-year-old two-time cancer survivor. My journey began in 2009, not with me, but with my beloved golden retriever, Bailey, who was diagnosed with cancer. To pay for his chemotherapy, I started working two jobs. It was just a month later that I found a lump myself.
At 26, I didn’t have health coverage. I immediately bought an e-insurance plan, waited the required month, and went to my gynecologist. After an image, a specialist appointment, and a needle biopsy, my world shook on April 15, 2009. Within one devastating month, I lost my best friend Bailey, was diagnosed with breast cancer, and had lost my breasts and my hair, all just before my 27th birthday.
Right after chemo treatments ended, I welcomed another golden retriever, Boston, into my life. With little family support, he became my everything—the one consistent, loving presence I could always count on.
The Desire for Motherhood and a New Chapter
After treatment, I struggled deeply with my emotions. The intense desire to be a mother remained, but a fertility specialist confirmed what I feared: I would likely never be able to have my own children. I battled years of depression and bitterness surrounding the topic of babies. Eventually, I channeled that longing into a new path. After months of thought, I took classes to become a foster parent and began the process of home studies.
God must have heard my prayers, because just as I was preparing for my first placement, I met my now-husband during this time. He was a single father with two young children, ages two and three. The children and I bonded instantly; we were inseparable. We married in 2019 and bought our first home in 2022.
2020: The Second Fight Begins
In 2020, a strange, chronic cough led to a diagnosis of celiac disease, which brought a massive transition to a gluten-free diet. Soon after, debilitating abdominal pain, extreme nausea, fatigue, and constant bloating began. I would get full after just a few bites. I desperately went to every specialist I could think of. One emergency room told me to go home and take Miralax, and my GI doctor suggested I was anxious and should see a behavioral therapist.
It wasn’t until January 2023 that I saw my OBGYN for my annual. After hearing my symptoms, he ordered an ultrasound. He called later that day—they had found a tumor, and it didn’t look good.
I quickly contacted Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa and was seen within days. My oncologist informed us that the tumors were widespread: next to both clavicles, near my heart, and on my omentum, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. Because of the sensitive locations near my heart and clavicles, immediate surgery was ruled out. I was scheduled for seven rounds of chemotherapy, three weeks apart.
The Cold Cap: A Secret Weapon
I made the decision that I did not want to tell our children I had cancer. This led me to choose the cold cap therapy, a device worn during treatment to reduce hair loss. It was an expensive, out-of-pocket choice, but the best decision I could have made.
During my seven-hour sessions, I wore a tightly secured, giant ice pack connected to a freezer. It was extremely cold, uncomfortable, and painful. But I kept reminding myself why: I couldn’t bear to hurt our children in the middle of the school year. I knew I needed to focus on the fight of my lifetime, and by keeping our normal routines, I never skipped a beat being the mom I’ve always been for them.
A Triumphant Surgery
After just three chemo treatments, a follow-up scan revealed incredible news: the tumors next to my heart and clavicles were completely gone! I was then scheduled for a total hysterectomy and debulking surgery in April 2023.
The surgery took much longer than anticipated. When I awoke in the worst pain I had ever imagined, my oncologist told my husband that more cancer was found on my liver, bladder, small intestine, and diaphragm. She promised me she had personally removed every possible sign of cancer.
During my recovery at home, we maintained the secret. My husband simply told the kids that the doctors took all the “bad stuff” out of Mommy’s tummy that gave her stomach aches. To this day, the kids think the doctor removed gluten from my belly, and we are sticking with that answer. When they saw my infusaport, I explained it was a port for easy blood draws due to my small veins. They accepted both answers.
Victory and a New Purpose
A month after surgery, I returned to finish my last four chemotherapy sessions. My initial CA125 level, which monitors certain cancers, was 3121.1 (the normal range is 0-35). Because I have the BRCA1 gene, the chemo worked efficiently, and with every treatment, my CA125 level was cut in half.
I finished all seven treatments on July 5th, 2023, and I am proud to say I beat cancer again! My CA125 levels have been within the normal range ever since. I now take a daily PARP inhibitor to help prevent recurrence. While I deal with side effects like brain fog, joint pain, fatigue, and neuropathy, my body is happy and cancer-free.
I am alive, living life, and loving myself with a newfound self-worth. I was able to conquer cancer with the unwavering support of my husband, who never left my side, encouraged me, and lifted me up. I believe there was a reason I was diagnosed again, and this time, I’m listening. I was meant to be here, and I’m glad I fought like I did for myself and my family.
Cancer has taught me so much about strength, resilience, and the importance of living in the moment. I am determined to make the most of every day and to never take anything for granted. I share my story to inspire others who may be struggling. Remember, you are stronger than you think, and there is always hope. Keep fighting, never give up, and always believe in the power of positivity.
Nicole Lehrer is a breast and ovarian cancer survivor living in Land O lakes, FL.
