A mother, who was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer when she was five months pregnant with her third child, has opened up about the gorgeous photos of her breastfeeding her son after undergoing a mastectomy.
Before giving birth, Florida mum Sarah Whitney underwent a mastectomy a few days after being diagnosed as well as her first round of chemotherapy, and was devastated when told she would only be able to breastfeed her newborn for the first two weeks of his life.
Photographer Katie Murray captured one of the emotional moments Sarah shared with son Kal El – a name that means ‘the voice or strength of God’ – when she breastfed him shortly after giving birth.
The beautiful photos were posted to Facebook and shared over 60, 000 times, and now, six months later, Sarah has spoken about the emotional reactions to the pictures.
“I know why those pictures mean so much to my family,” she told Northwest Florida Daily News. “I didn’t understand why they meant so much to other people.”
“I guess it’s that universal understanding of what it’s like to do what’s best for your children, to be around them.”
Sarah, who is suffering from depression, will need to take cancer medication for the next ten years, medication that interferes with her antidepressants. But despite her heath struggles, Sarah says she is trying to stay strong.
“It makes me appreciated every moment I have with [my children].”
“I know there’s a risk it could come back. I want to be around for them when they get older and get married and have kids.”
“It’s been a hard ride, but it’s been really rewarding just knowing he’s here and he’s perfect.”
Pictures courtesy of Gentle Birth Options
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