Mother-to-be battles cancer

Chelsea Karlgaard expects, sometime in February, to become the mother of a healthy newborn boy. But Karlgaard, 29, is facing a challenge more daunting than diaper changes and sleepless nights.

Following the birth of her second child, the Coeur d'Alene woman anticipates a regimen of strong chemotherapy, a double mastectomy and radiation treatment.

Karlgaard, now six months pregnant, was diagnosed in October with a fast-spreading form of breast cancer which, in her case, is particularly aggressive.

"It's estrogen-responsive. That's why it's growing faster, because of the pregnancy," Karlgaard said.

Karlgaard, owner of Simply Chic nail salon in Coeur d'Alene, said she is continuing to work as much as possible as she undergoes chemotherapy.

"I feel good now. I haven't been sick, just tired when my blood count gets low," she said.

But that's going to change after the baby is born, when she begins receiving stronger chemotherapy.

She said when she reaches 35 or 36 weeks, doctors plan to induce delivery of the baby so they can begin aggressively treating her cancer.

Karlgaard - whose husband, David, works in building construction - recognizes it's unlikely she'll be able to work during that time. In addition to caring for a newborn and dealing with her medical challenges, she and David will also be caring for a toddler - their son, Blake, who will turn 3 in December.

The young mother urges people to pay attention to their bodies.

"I had been checked just four months before, and I had nothing," Karlgaard said. "It grew so fast."

Friends and family are hosting a fundraiser starting at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Kootenai County fairgrounds. The event is open to the public and will feature live and silent auctions. Food, beer and wine will be available for purchase during the event.

Proceeds will help cover the costs not covered by health insurance, and keep the family afloat financially when Karlgaard is unable to work.

"I'm so appreciative of everything that everybody in this community has done for us," Karlgaard said. "We're overwhelmed by the love."

Additional information about Chelsea and other fundraising efforts can be found online: www.facebook.com/fightforchels.