Sasha Sabrina Azeez, an expectant mother, learned early in her pregnancy she was having twins, a discovery that would ultimately save her life. In April 2024, Azeez, a 31-year-old from Toronto, Canada, found out she was pregnant while planning her wedding to her fiancé, Chris. She embraced her pregnancy fully, filled with excitement about becoming a parent.
During her first ultrasound, the sonographer gave Azeez unexpected news: she was carrying twins. However, they also detected a large cyst on her ovary. Azeez had no symptoms, suggesting the cyst existed prior, and pregnancy led to its discovery. Initially, she wasn’t concerned, focusing more on her delight at having twins. The cyst measured approximately 9 centimeters at first, but grew as her pregnancy progressed.
Concerned about its rapid growth, doctors recommended surgery to remove the cyst at 20 weeks of pregnancy. It was a daunting decision, as the twins needed to be sufficiently developed to withstand the procedure. Azeez faced uncertainty, despite having a skilled medical team. During the operation, surgeons found the mass had expanded to 19 centimeters and had to remove her right ovary and fallopian tube. A pathology report identified the mass as an immature teratoma, a rare and potentially cancerous tumor originating from germ cells.
Azeez, within months, learned she was pregnant with twins, underwent major abdominal surgery, and discovered she had cancer. She experienced typical pregnancy symptoms, making it challenging to comprehend the gravity of her health condition. Despite wanting to delay treatment to carry her pregnancy to term, immediate action was necessary. Azeez credits her medical team for valuing both her life and that of her unborn children.
“I’m forever grateful my team didn’t just treat my cancer. They fought just as hard to protect my girls while saving my life,”
On October 4, 2024, at 29 weeks, Azeez delivered the twins via open abdominal surgery. Each weighed 2 pounds and 5 ounces. Following the birth, the twins went to the NICU for assessment, while Azeez underwent further surgery, including an omentectomy to clear visible cancer. The postpartum recovery was intense due to the additional procedures, but Azeez persevered, even beginning to store breastmilk before starting chemotherapy.
Post-surgery, Azeez visited her daughters in the NICU while recovering in the hospital. Chemotherapy began on October 16, with treatment cycles lasting three weeks. Her final treatment on December 30, 2024, symbolized a new beginning.
“It marked the end of one of the hardest chapters of my life, and the beginning of a new one,” she reflected.
Azeez is now cancer-free. Regular blood tests and scans check for any recurrence, and so far, everything remains clear. After spending 52 days in the NICU, the twins are thriving. The family regards them as ‘miracles’ for inadvertently leading to the early cancer diagnosis.
Azeez and Chris, while yet to marry, demonstrated deep commitment, with Chris providing unwavering support throughout her recovery. The experience has deepened their gratitude and strengthened their relationship. They are now planning their wedding again, with newfound appreciation for each other.
Through her experiences with motherhood and cancer, Azeez shares her journey on Instagram and TikTok (@sashaxsabrina), encouraging others to cherish life. She hopes her story inspires people to embrace gratitude and live meaningful lives.