Michelle Hughes, 38, was 35 weeks pregnant when she began feeling a sharp pain beneath the right side of her rib cage. Little did she know, it would turn out to be cancer. Initially, she assumed that the uncomfortable feeling might just be the side effect of another pregnancy.
When she opened up about it during a routine prenatal appointment, she was recommended an ultrasound to inspect whether she had gallbladder issues. It is a common condition during pregnancy. However, in Hughes’ case, it turned out to be something completely different.
When her ultrasound results came back, she was excited to have another look at her baby. Unfortunately, however, it wasn’t good news for her. As it turns out, there was a hemangioma on her liver.
Her doctors explained to her that it was a blood-filled cyst. However, they also added that it was common and benign and might not be why she was experiencing the sharp pain. The medical team reassured her, “You’ll welcome your baby.”
They also recommended she immediately revisit if the pain persists. She was also asked to visit for a follow-up check-up within a year.
Michelle and her husband, Ty, who is now 39, welcomed their daughter, Juliet, at 36 weeks, a little early. The couple suffered years of infertility, along with the stillbirth of their son. So Juliet’s arrival was special for them.
During an interview with PEOPLE, Michelle said, “She made me a mom. We had our first take-home baby.”
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Although the pain beneath her ribs was still persistent, Hughes was enjoying her motherhood. As a new mom, she had a newborn to look after. Hence, the discomfort was easy to ignore. However, when she went for a follow-up ultrasound, the hemangioma was still there.
At this point, Michelle wasn’t too concerned. She resumed her life as a social worker and mom. She also restarted her fertility treatments and eventually welcomed another daughter, Adeline.
As she grew busier, the mom of two began brushing off her pain. Eventually, it worsened to the point where she had to rush to the hospital several times. However, doctors didn’t change their response. “It’s just the hemangioma. It hasn’t changed. You’re okay,” that’s all they said, and she had no other way but to believe them.
In 2021, when she became pregnant with her third child, she experienced a ruptured placenta at 35 weeks. “We were very, very blessed that he was born safe. I was safe,” the mother said.
Both the mother and son were dispatched from the hospital eventually, but something happened just a few days later.
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She was rushed to the emergency after suddenly collapsing on the floor. “My heart rate was in the 180s. They rushed me to the trauma room and immediately did a CT scan,” Michelle revealed.
At least 15 cysts were discovered on her liver, along with lungs filled with innumerable tumors. After a few trial and error, she was transferred to Moncton, New Brunswick. She experienced many complications with the medical procedures at this time.
Then the doctor let her know that it was cancer. The diagnosis came from Stage 4 EHE Sarcoma Cancer. The family managed to find a specialist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Toronto. With time, her cancer actually worsened.
She began living her life regardless but always worried about what would happen to her kids if she died.
Now, she continues to motivate others with cancer to live their lives to the fullest. With over 40,000 followers, she has built a community of strong individuals who battle the disease every day.
