Kirsten Vulgamott, a registered nurse with UT Health Tyler, was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, a common form of breast cancer, while 12 weeks pregnant. She received her diagnosis after discovering a lump and experiencing redness under her left breast following a night shift. Vulgamott underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation through her pregnancy and after the birth of her daughter, Hazel, all managed by physicians at UT Health facilities in Tyler. Today, Vulgamott is a survivor, continuing her work as a nurse and leveraging her experience to support other patients facing challenging diagnoses.
At 34, and after months of trying to conceive, Vulgamott's first pregnancy was unexpectedly complicated by the discovery. She initially hoped the lump was related to pregnancy hormones or mastitis, especially after finishing a night shift in the emergency department. Believing it could be an abscess, she sought medical attention and had the area lanced.
However, when the area had not healed three weeks later, Vulgamott visited the UT Health East Texas Breast Center for an ultrasound. During the examination, she realized the gravity of the situation when the medical professional started measuring in her armpit. “And he said, ‘There’s a mass there,’” Vulgamott recounted. A biopsy followed, and the next day, Vulgamott received the confirmed diagnosis of invasive ductal carcinoma. She researched the rarity of a 34-year-old woman being diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant, confirming her suspicion that it was uncommon.
Just days after her diagnosis, Vulgamott met with her oncologist, Dr. Marc Usrey with UT Health East Texas HOPE Cancer Center. Dr. Usrey informed her she was his second patient treated for breast cancer during pregnancy and connected her with the other patient, who was doing well years after her diagnosis. This connection provided Vulgamott significant comfort. Later that week, breast surgeon Dr. Christine Moulds-Merritt met with Vulgamott. Dr. Moulds-Merritt, in her first case after joining UT Health East Texas from a Longview practice, performed surgery the next day to remove the cancerous tumor. Dr. Moulds-Merritt recalled thinking about the joy of Vulgamott becoming a mom while also knowing she had two patients to care for, adding that she was encouraged by the pathology and knew Vulgamott was in excellent hands with her oncology team.
Navigating surgery while pregnant was a nerve-wracking experience for Vulgamott, but hearing her baby’s heartbeat before and after the procedure offered reassurance. After four weeks of recovery, she began chemotherapy at approximately 20 weeks pregnant. She continued working until she was 34 weeks pregnant, finding that staying busy helped her cope. Her chemotherapy regimen continued for much of her pregnancy, with a six-week pause before Hazel's birth.
After Hazel was born, Vulgamott resumed her treatment plan, which included 35 rounds of radiation. The period following Hazel’s birth involved time away from work to recover from treatment, a decision that allowed her to focus on her newborn. Caring for a newborn while undergoing radiation proved exhausting but also provided a joyful focus. Vulgamott reflected on this period as a blessing, noting she was able to stay home with Hazel for a while.
Vulgamott eventually returned to UT Health Tyler, transitioning to a nurse role in pre-operative day surgery. This schedule offers her more time with Hazel, who will turn four in December. Her current position places her alongside many of the physicians who were part of her care team, an aspect she appreciates. Today, Vulgamott utilizes her dual perspective as both a nurse and a cancer survivor to offer encouragement to patients facing their own frightening diagnoses. Dr. Moulds-Merritt now sees Vulgamott regularly at work, noting that Vulgamott encourages her after long days and provides supportive guidance to scared patients, observing that things have come full circle.
