A cancer diagnosis is one major revelation. Receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis while 36 weeks pregnant exists in an entirely different realm, devoid of fairness and rationality. That was the reality for Tekquiree Spencer back in 2016.
After stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer was determined, the situation couldn’t have been more frightening: “I couldn’t get a PET scan or a CT scan because of all of the radiation. And when you’re pregnant, you’re not supposed to do any of those things, because they don’t want to harm the baby.”
This kind of determination can be staggering, and life-changing, but to no surprise considering the numbers. According to the National Cancer Institute, studies have shown that there’s a greater risk of inflammatory breast cancer for Black women compared to white women, and though we don’t completely know why, it might have to do with genetic, environmental and socioeconomic factors.
Once she transitioned into motherhood, Spencer immediately began working to regain optimal health. “Because my cancer was aggressive, I started targeted therapy and eventually I did chemo,” she recalls.
The Atlanta area resident and California native found herself frequently traveling from the east to west coast in an effort to feel normal after becoming a mother. “I went home to Oakland to be with my family because I knew that I needed laughter and support. [I also needed] to be treated like a person, not having to carry all of that weight by myself. For the people who know me the most, it was important for me to be in the same space as them.”
Fortunately, promising news made its way to Spencer, “After a month and a half of treatment my scans were completely clear which is unheard of because [the cancer] metastasized to parts of my spine.”
Spencer credits the community of mothers in Georgia she’s formed through her son’s friends for empowering her. “They’re all being very supportive right now and I’ve only known them for two or three years and they’re [adamant] about taking care of each other.”
There have been other groups that have helped nurture her healing, namely, Healing Strong, which is an organization that infuses holistic and allopathic options, as well as spirituality, all of which encourage healing. In addition, she attributes starting her own non-profit (Thrive Beyond Cancer) and therapy as well as her palliative care team to her healing journey.
These types of external support or communal aid have shifted Spencer’s outlook. “For me to get back to knowing who I am and knowing that I am not my diagnosis, that I was not this stage 4 cancer patient, I find them to be very valuable.”
As much as some of us may have a village, all of the love and encouragement always goes back to self and personal outlook. The plot-twist was and remains Tekquiree’s unmatched faith and the relationship she has with herself. Thankfully this walk has produced tons of compassion and ideas that will help others dealing with a similar diagnosis. Spencer is zealous about finding alternative options for those diagnosed with cancer, hoping to someday soon merge the holistic and allopathic worlds to create a healing system that will cover more ground.
