Karly Walter's Courage

A Mother's Fight, A Miracle Born

When Karly Walter discovered she was pregnant in June 2023, she imagined a journey filled with anticipation, nursery plans, and gentle milestones. What she didn’t anticipate was that her pregnancy would soon intertwine with a life-threatening diagnosis that would test every ounce of her strength.

Living in the rural town of Prescott Valley, Arizona, far from specialized care, Karly noticed something unsettling during her second trimester: a lump in her breast and a strange flattening of the skin. A vivid dream had foreshadowed her fears, a dream so haunting, it stuck with her. Trusting her instincts, she advocated for herself despite reassurances. At six months pregnant, on December 20, 2023, she received the news that would alter her world: breast cancer.

Alone at the appointment, Karly listened in shock as the radiologist urged a biopsy and warned she might need early induction.

Within days, the diagnosis was confirmed: inflammatory breast cancer, Stage 3 B. Her chosen OB later admitted he wouldn’t have suspected it, calling her case a first in his 30-year career.

Still reeling, Karly found strength in the timing of her engagement and support from her community. She connected with MD Anderson Cancer Center and began a rigorous treatment plan, starting chemotherapy while still carrying her unborn son, Dean. Each week brought new battles: surgical procedures without anesthesia, managing a port that triggered abnormal heart rhythms, and facing skepticism from medical professionals unfamiliar with treating cancer during pregnancy.

When complications arose from preeclampsia, Karly was swiftly transferred to a hospital equipped for high-risk deliveries. Dean entered the world at 31 weeks, weighing just 2 pounds 10 ounces. Miraculously, Karly still had her hair, a detail she had cried about in the earliest days of her diagnosis. Her strength was unrelenting, even as she endured swelling, panic attacks, and a body pushed to its edge.

While Dean spent five weeks in the NICU, Karly continued chemo treatments just 15 minutes away. She endured radiation, multiple surgeries, and complex side effects, all while navigating new motherhood. Despite losing both breasts and dealing with lymphedema, Karly never lost sight of her gratitude. With clarity and wit, she even joked about finally getting the breast reduction she had wished for.

Karly's journey was never solitary. From her "Chosen Mom," Jamie, a fellow cancer survivor, to her friend and photographer Ed, who was also diagnosed with cancer the same week, her village remained strong. Her husband stood by her, commuting hours just to hold Dean each night. Her family, friends, and workplace rallied behind her.

Today, Karly continues treatment while raising a healthy, joyful son. She’s preparing for reconstructive surgery and considering a hysterectomy for peace of mind.

Her story isn’t just about surviving cancer. It’s about faith, advocacy, and the relentless love of a mother determined to meet her baby and raise him.

Karly Walter is a living testament to resilience. Her experience reveals the cracks in our systems but also the miracles that emerge when women trust their intuition and demand to be heard. She is not only a survivor but a fierce advocate for other expectant mothers facing similar battles.

In every step of her journey, Karly has embodied strength, grace, and profound courage. She reminds us that hope is not passive, it’s active, it’s bold, and sometimes, it comes with a prayer.

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