Jenna Haskins, at 35, lives with incurable secondary breast cancer, a reality she has navigated since her initial diagnosis at age 27. Despite her prognosis, Haskins and her husband, Jack, made the decision to adopt their younger daughter, Bella, now three years old. Haskins has spoken out to explain the reasoning behind their choice, acknowledging that some may question the decision to bring a child into a family where a parent has a terminal illness.
Haskins' journey with cancer began in February 2019 when she discovered a lump in her left breast. Despite her young age and lack of family history, she was diagnosed with triple-positive breast cancer. Following a mastectomy, doctors discovered the cancer had spread to 23 of 24 lymph nodes. A subsequent scan revealed a lesion on her spine, confirming Stage 4 secondary breast cancer, which was deemed incurable with an initial prognosis of three to five years.
Specialist treatment in Madrid, accessed through private health insurance, helped stabilize her cancer for two years. This period of stability allowed the couple to consider expanding their family. As pregnancy was not an option due to her hormone-positive cancer and early menopause induced by treatment, adoption became their focus. The adoption process proved challenging, with two agencies initially rejecting them upon disclosure of her diagnosis. Haskins described the pain of being told her illness made her unsuitable to parent.
Eventually, they found Adoption West, an agency in Gloucester, which reviewed their application with consideration for Haskins' medical history. Her oncologist provided a detailed letter stating that while her cancer was incurable, it had been stable for years, and there was no immediate evidence of worsening. This letter was crucial in their approval process, which took nearly two years and involved extensive background checks, psychological assessments, and discussions about her prognosis and support network.
In 2023, Haskins was approved for adoption at age 32. Shortly after, she was introduced to Bella, then a nine-week-old baby. Haskins described an immediate connection, stating, "In an instant, it was like my whole world had changed." Bella was placed with them within three days, transforming their home. Her older daughter, Riley, who was six at the time, embraced Bella, and the family felt complete.
However, last year, Haskins experienced a setback when her cancer began spreading again, affecting her spine and bones. This recurrence brought renewed fears, particularly the thought of Bella losing another mother, as the child had already faced upheaval before joining their family. Despite the emotional toll, her oncology team remained optimistic, and she underwent further treatment. After a period of uncertainty and a new treatment regime, the cancer was found to be stable again as of June, with existing tumors shrinking.
Haskins and her husband have chosen not to tell their daughters about her cancer, referring to her 'bad back' instead. They aim to provide a childhood filled with joy and security, intending to share the full details when the girls are older or if her condition visibly changes. Haskins remains focused on living well with her diagnosis, appreciating everyday moments and cherishing time with her family. She emphasizes that while the future holds uncertainty, adopting Bella was a decision made with honesty, careful thought, and immense love.