The amazing Nicki Taylor with her son Ben (5) and daughter Amelie (3). Ben was conceived very quickly and Nicki had an easy pregnancy with no issues along the way. Towards the end of her pregnancy, she took a lot of natural birthing classes, read hypnobirthing books and took the hospital's birthing classes. She decided that hypnobirthing was the best method for her and dove into it. Her birth was pain-free and wonderful. Her pregnancy with Amelie was a bit different in that she was pressing on a vein making it difficult for Nicki to walk. She's quite active, so it was difficult to get around. Her birth was easy again with no drugs, lots of time in the bath and a beautiful delivery. Both of her children crawled to the breast and latched right away without issue. Surprising to Nicki, they both self-weaned at around 9 months, she says in part to how much they loved food.
Nicki was diagnosed with breast cancer in March of this year. She had just moved, her husband was diagnosed with a heart condition, his father died and then she was diagnosed with breast cancer, making it a horrible year. The journey has been up and down emotionally as she went through chemotherapy. After chemo, she had a choice with what she wanted to do with her breasts. She could have done radiotherapy and kept both of her breasts, but Nicki decided that she was so young she would rather just have them removed and avoid the constant check-ups and fear of her cancer returning. She was then asked if she wanted reconstruction which would be another year long process, more surgery, more time in the hospital, she decided she just wanted to get back to life with her children and her normal activity. Nicky says that she woke up the morning after her surgery, just 6 weeks ago, showered, looked in the mirror and smiled. Even without breasts or hair, she is herself; she is feminine, healthy, active and beautiful.