Fighting for a Future
November 1, 2007 - Jennifer Berg has just about had her fill of doctors,
but she is now signing up for more.
Berg, 35, of Antioch was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast
cancer April 30 when she was 22 weeks pregnant with
her third child. She had to undergo three rounds of
chemotherapy while she was pregnant, taking precautions
to protect the baby.
"Talk about life-changing decisions," she said of
undergoing treatment while pregnant. "We really wanted
(our baby) so bad. Thank God we are over that hurdle."
Berg delivered a healthy baby girl named Lauren July
17.
While Berg said a big part of her just wants to try
to live a normal life, she is signing up for a new
clinical trial offering free brain scans for breast
cancer patients.
Her last chemotherapy treatment was Oct. 16 and she
expects to do her brain scan in November.
Berg said she hopes it can help her own case and especially
that of other women.
"When I've been at the doctor so much already, if
they see something suspicious in my brain, I don't
really want to go through any more tests or procedures," Berg
admitted. "But the importance of a clinical trial is
that your outcome can be better if you catch things
early."
That makes it worth it.
"I think it gives you peace of mind before it spreads
before you get the symptoms," Berg said. She had no
history of cancer in her family.
She and her husband Benjamin have received wonderful
support from friends, neighbors and coworkers throughout
her ordeal. They both work at Carmel Catholic High
School in Mundelein .
Berg said a motivating factor to participate in this
trial is her children: Ben, 6, Emma, 4, and baby Lauren.
She wants to be around as they grow up.
"You want to be proactive with this disease," Berg
said. "You don't want to wait until you have symptoms.
That can be too late. I want this test to show me there
is nothing there."
The brain scans for certain breast cancer patients
were initially offered during October, Breast Cancer
Awareness Month. The opportunity for the scans has
been extended through the end of the year, said Dr.
Gail Rosseau.
Women like Berg with Stage 3 and Stage 4 HER2-positive
breast cancer are eligible for the brain scans as part
of the clinical trial sponsored by the Neurologic and
Orthopedic Institute, 4501 N. Winchester, Chicago .
"Some studies show that between 20 and 40 percent
of women with breast cancer will ultimately have a
brain metastasis," said Rosseau. "The double-edged
sword with breast cancer is that more women are surviving
the initial diagnosis for several years, but the down
side is that increases the potential for metastases."
She said treatment options have greatly improved over
the years.
"Screening for high risk women makes sense because
we can treat the problem before there are any symptoms," Rosseau
said. "That is what is so exciting about this. Now
we have an outpatient way of treating the problem if
the cancer has spread to the brain. We can use a Gamma
Knife technology to remove any metastases in the brain."
For Berg, her prognosis is good. She believes the
clinical trial may help her make the most of her time.
"Obviously, there are no guarantees but I have to
believe we are starting a new age with cancer treatments," Berg
said. "But with kids, you just want to manage it and
look to the future. I have great parents and a strong
faith. My prayers have gotten me through."
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