Trenton woman diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with 4th child
James and Kia Moerlein are the happy parents of three daughters.
So when they found out they were having a baby boy, "I was pretty excited," said James Moerlein.
In July, Kia noticed some abnormalities in her left breast, but doctors said it was pregnancy related.
By October, she was having back and rib pain.
Again, doctors chalked it up to the pregnancy.
On New Year's Day, they went back to the hospital and demanded answers.
A biopsy confirmed their worst fears.
"It's invasive ductal carcinoma. It's very aggressive, causes inflammation, which is why they thought it was inflamed milk ducts. It's already stage 4 because it was in her left breast, her lymph nodes under her left arm and her spine and two spots on her skull," said James.
Now, in the midst of creating new life, Kia is fighting for her own.
James is a former enlisted U.S. Marine, but he cannot help Kia in the battle against cancer.
"Every day you wake up, you think you must have had a really bad dream. No, it's the truth," said James.
Kia had her first round of chemotherapy on Monday.
The rest will have to wait until after delivery, which doctors said will happen sometime after the baby reaches 32 weeks.
"It's hard to try to stay excited about that, but then concerned about everything else," said James.
Kia is in the hospital, but friends and family are stepping up to help.
"It just makes you speechless for all the help family has offered, friends have offered, complete strangers have offered," said James.
People have volunteered to clean, cook and paint the nursery.
James now works as a nurse and coworkers have donated their time off so he can stay home longer.
James said Kia is incredibly strong and ready for the long months of treatment ahead.
"She said she's gonna see all three of our girls grow up, help them plan their weddings, make them mad the whole progress. She has things set that she's not willing to miss."
If you'd like the help the family, you can donate on Venmo by searching "Kia Moerlein" or "@moerleinfamily".
There's a baby registry on Amazon, also under Kia's name.
A benefit is being planned for Feb. 22 with all proceeds going to the family.