‘Life beyond cancer’: N.S. woman diagnosed with cancer while pregnant shares journey in new book

Nicole Clark faced the fight of her life just as she was about to welcome her first child.

A woman from Nova Scotia is sharing her cancer journey in a new book as a way to connect with young adults living with the disease.

Nicole Clark from Amherst, N.S., was only 25 years old and pregnant with her first child when she received the devastating diagnosis.

“I found out that I had cancer in my third trimester. Once I found that out, everything moved really fast and I was sent down to the IWK to be induced,” Clark said during an interview with CTV Atlantic.

Less than a week later, Clark received her first round of chemotherapy, which lasted six months.

“So, there’s a bit of a challenge there being a new mom with a newborn at home and going through cancer. It was a tough time because I thought my life was just getting started and I was really halted,” she said.

Less than two years later, Clark found out she had relapsed.

“And this time, it was a lot more aggressive. I had to go through more aggressive treatment followed by a stem cell transplant,” Clark said.

At the time, Clark was told she had a 50/50 chance the treatments would work.

Living beyond cancer

This past December, Clark reached a significant milestone – her 10-year remission mark.

Now a mother of two, she says she just tries to live every day to the fullest.

“Travelling whenever we can and we see the positive and the bright side of absolutely everything,” she said.

As a young adult living with cancer, Clark says there weren’t many resources for her to turn to.

“I really needed to find something that was the same situation, the same treatment that I had been through,” she said.

“I just wanted to help change the lack of resources that are out there for young adults going through cancer and living beyond it.”

That’s what prompted Clark to write a book about her personal journey. She says she hopes others going through similar situations will be able to read her book, called “Feel Again,” and realize they’re not alone.

“My book is just sharing my experience with cancer. I needed it very badly when I was the one going through it. So, I’m really hoping it finds that next version of me, that next 25-year-old new mom who gets set back,” she said.

“A little bit of inspiration and hope so that they can keep going and see that there is a good life beyond cancer.”

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Mike Lamb.

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