At 23 weeks pregnant, Natasha couldn’t wait to be a mum. Then a blood cancer diagnosis in May last year changed everything.
From the highs of her ‘Shave head for cancer’ moment and donating to charity to the lows of chemotherapy treatment and uncertainty surrounding her pregnancy, the ten months following 26-year old Natasha Strapps’ Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis had it all.
From a very young age, Natasha had always dreamt of becoming a mum. “I couldn’t wait for that day to come,” she says. After falling pregnant in late 2022, her dream was soon going to become reality, and Natasha and her partner Josh couldn’t wait for life’s next chapter.
“2023 was going to be our year. We had planned to begin trying for our first child while also searching for our first home. We had worked so hard to save and structure our careers, around a healthy balance of beginning our family and ultimately setting up our lives together.”
At 20 weeks pregnant, things were still going perfectly. “We had our 20 week scan, and everything was looking great as it was still being classed a low-risk pregnancy.” But shortly after, her world came crashing down.
In May last year, Natasha started to experience soreness in her ribs accompanied by a cough. After numerous visits to her local GP, Natasha knew something wasn’t right. While in tears on the phone to Josh, she was reported to her local Emergency department to get to the bottom of the debilitating pain.
After numerous tests, scans and sleepless nights, it was then that she was told she had Hodgkin lymphoma (a form of blood cancer), and everything changed.
"My pregnancy was immediately changed to high-risk, and I was worried that this was the end of my pregnancy journey, and I would be forced to terminate.”
The following 24 hours were a living nightmare for Natasha and Josh, as they awaited a decision on whether they could continue with the pregnancy.
“I was located on the maternity ward listening to babies cry all night. I would hold my belly and cry,” she recalls.
But in a welcome and desperately needed change of fortune, the couple received some amazing news.
“Thankfully, the obstetricians and haematologist said I could continue my pregnancy with the research showing no major risk to baby. My partner and I decided to continue with the pregnancy, and I was able to carry to 37 weeks, 4 days before a planned induction.”
At 37 weeks and 5 days, and after ‘seven infusions of chemotherapy, several ultrasounds and scans along with too many blood tests and needles to count’, Natasha gave birth to her shining ray of light during what was the darkest period of her life.
“I ended up giving birth via emergency c-section at 37 weeks and 5 days to a beautiful healthy girl Mia.”
But the time before and after Natasha's induction wasn't without challenges. “The night prior to my induction was extremely emotional. I was so worried for my baby and what the future would hold.”
“[A week after her birth], I had to return to chemotherapy, which meant I had to leave her for the first time. [It] was so incredibly hard and made me feel like the worst Mum. But it had to be done, as I want to be here to watch her grow up.”
Shortly after returning home from the hospital, one of Natasha’s friends reached out to her about the World’s Greatest Shave, an annual fundraising campaign that fuels the life-changing work of the Leukaemia Foundation.
“My friend Naomi got in touch about a beautiful lady named Jacqui who felt empowered to play her part and participate in the World's Greatest Shave. Naomi asked if she could share my story and if I would like to take part in the day.”
“With my new treatment, I was likely to lose what was left of my hair [anyway], and I wanted to take back some control of the situation and Shave instead of watching it fall out.”
“It was empowering for me to take the opportunity to raise funds for a cause that directly helps people in the same situation as me. This fundraiser allowed me to lose my hair with my family and closest friends by my side in what was such an emotional and heart-warming day.”
After receiving support from the Leukaemia Foundation herself throughout her blood cancer experience, Natasha feels very positive about giving back to the organisation that helped her when she needed it most.
“I have received financial assistance from the Leukaemia Foundation to assist with groceries and transport costs. This has helped to ease the pressure as we are currently living off my partner’s income as I’m unable to work.”
“They offer so many services along with financial assistance which are so beneficial for families going through a blood cancer diagnosis. The people I have spoken to have been so lovely, kind and happy to listen.”
Natasha’s ‘Shave for cancer’ moment in March this year was something truly special, and she felt ‘empowered’ sharing it with her loved ones for a cause close to her heart.
“[It] brought on many emotions. When they started to shave my head, I felt so empowered. My emotions quickly changed when I looked over to see my younger brother crying. He said to me after the shave ‘In that moment, watching your hair come off it made the situation real for me and what you have been going through."
After being forced to part from her newborn baby for further chemotherapy, Natasha donated to charity in the hopes that one day no mother would have to go through the same harrowing experience.
“The main reason I took part in the World's Greatest Shave was to raise funds to support critical research that I hope will prevent mums having to spend time away from their children to receive treatment, as I know how hard that is.”
Natasha is currently undergoing immunotherapy treatment and has her eyes set on a stem cell transplant in mid-2024 before returning to a ‘normal life’ with her new family.
“Mia is now eight months old and absolutely thriving. My hopes and goals are for a brighter future with my her and my fiancé, and not having to constantly check my calendar to plan my life around treatment and appointments. A huge goal of mine is to return to the job I love and back playing the sport I love.”
If you would like to learn more about the Leukaemia Foundation and our work or connect with a blood cancer support professional, you can visit our website.
Sign up to the World’s Greatest Shave today to help fuel real, tangible change for Australians like Natasha living with blood cancer, and fund critical blood cancer support services such as accommodation, transport, and financial assistance.
