Ariatna Rodriguez Completes Cancer Treatment as Son Leaves Hospital

A breast cancer diagnosis during pregnancy forced Ariatna Rodriguez to make critical decisions about her treatment and the birth of her son. At 27, she discovered a breast lump during her second trimester and later learned she had early-stage triple-negative breast cancer. With medical guidance from Loma Linda University Cancer Center, she delivered her son prematurely before beginning chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

According to Loma Linda University Health, Rodriguez was referred to the cancer center at 32 weeks of pregnancy. Her medical team, including medical oncologist Gayathri Nagaraj, MD, confirmed the diagnosis and faced the challenge of treating an aggressive cancer while protecting the health of both mother and baby.

Rodriguez initially noticed the lump during a self-examination. Although her gynecologist had examined her breasts during a checkup the previous week, she arranged another appointment after discovering the lump. Her gynecologist ordered an ultrasound and biopsy, and she received the diagnosis 15 days later.

Rodriguez described the emotional impact of receiving the news.

"I felt like my world was crashing down on me," Rodriguez said.

She also recalled feeling uncertain about how to respond to the diagnosis and manage the situation.

"I didn't know what to do or how to navigate what was going on." Rodriguez said.

Nagaraj explained that the cancer's aggressive nature made the timing of treatment particularly important. Rodriguez was approaching her due date when doctors had to consider whether she should begin chemotherapy during pregnancy or wait until after delivery.

"Triple-negative breast cancer behaves very aggressively," Nagaraj said. "What made Ariatna's case even more complex was the fact that she was in her third trimester of pregnancy and getting close to her due date."

After discussions with Nagaraj and a high-risk obstetrics team, Rodriguez and her family decided to proceed with an early delivery, followed by chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

"It was really difficult for us as a family to decide," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was induced at 34 weeks of pregnancy and gave birth to her son. She expected to begin chemotherapy about two weeks later, but complications following delivery made her recovery more difficult.

She developed a hematoma after labor that required emergency surgery and spent five days in the hospital, unable to move or walk. Her son also experienced complications and underwent multiple emergency surgeries.

Despite the challenges, Rodriguez remained determined to follow her treatment schedule. When Nagaraj suggested delaying treatment by another week, Rodriguez declined, explaining that her son's well-being had become a central motivation.

"At one point Dr. Nagaraj suggested holding off on treatment for another week, but I said 'no,'" Rodriguez said. "My story had taken a different turn, and my priority wasn't just my own treatment or well-being.

It was my son. I needed to be OK for him."

Rodriguez began chemotherapy just 15 days after giving birth while her son remained in the neonatal intensive care unit. Nagaraj recalled that Rodriguez continued attending treatment appointments and visiting her baby in the hospital, even on difficult days.

"Even on the hardest days, I would see her come in for treatment and then go up to see her baby in the hospital," Nagaraj said. "Her baby was her motivation, and she never lost sight of what she was fighting for."

April 9, 2024, became a milestone for the family. Rodriguez completed chemotherapy on the same day her son was discharged after spending six months in the hospital.

According to Loma Linda University Health, Rodriguez has been cancer-free for two years, and her son, now 3, is healthy and energetic. The family has also returned to the health system to visit the medical team that supported them during treatment.

Nagaraj said seeing Rodriguez with her son has been one of the most rewarding aspects of her work.

"I think seeing her with her baby has been one of the most rewarding parts of my job," Nagaraj said.

Rodriguez said the experience strengthened her faith.

"My son's story and mine are a testament that God does exist," Rodriguez said.