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When Chaya “Victoria” Bueno looks at her 10weekold son, Konnor, she sees more than just a good baby who sleeps through the night and breastfeeds with ease. Sheseesthe life she fought forthrough exhaustionanduncertainty.
Inlate2020,Victoria knew somethingɲ’tquiterightwhen shesuddenly sheneeded two, sometimes three naps just to get through the day.She was working hard as a bartender andwaitress, but herbody felt tired in a way that no amount of sleep could fix.
Afternightsweats andlow-gradefeversappeared, shedzܱ’tshake the nagging feeling that something deeper was going on and that she needed to see a doctor. But it wasstillthe height of the COVID-19 pandemic, whenmedicalvisits needed to be balanced with risk of exposure, not to mentionlongerwaittimes to be seenby a physician.
After months of feeling unwell,in January 2021,a series of blood work,imaging tests,anda hematologist in Brooklyn providedclarity and the answers:Hodgkinlymphomaand heart failure.
Atjust31years old,Victoria felther entire life shift in an instant.The diagnosis wasunexpectedandreshaped the path ahead.
Aftersixrounds of chemotherapy that徱’tseem to be working,Victoria’s brother,Avi, who works at Weill CornellMedicine, urged her to get a second opinion.It was the bridge that led her to AVо andNewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and into the care of Dr.TsiporahShore, whobecamea cornerstone in her healingjourney.
"Hodgkin lymphoma is a typeofblood cancer that forms when certain white blood cellscalled lymphocytesgrow out of control, usually in lymph nodes that can spread to organs such as the spleen and liver.This form of cancer is often diagnosed in young adults,” explains Dr. Shore, Associate Director of the AVо Bone Marrow Transplant and Cell Therapy Program.
Dr. Shorerecommendedthat Victoria undergo a stem celltransplantaftercompleting anadditionalthreerounds ofa different type ofchemotherapyin ordertokeep thecancerat bay and preventitfromcoming back.
In October 2021, Victoria went through the stem cell transplant procedure, a treatment which required her to spendnearly amonth in the hospital.Theaftermathlefthertemporarilyweak and immunocompromisedas her immune system worked to rebuild itself.
The isolation thatfollowedwas intense, but Victoria refused to let it define her experience.Shekept her hospital roomsocial, and leaned onfamily,friends,andthe nurses who, she says, “went above and beyond” to help lift her spirits.
“Formany people, a stem cell transplant offers real hope forcuring their cancer, but it can be a tough road with some challenging moments along the way,”saysDr. Shore.
Victoria triedto stay positiveand make the best of the situation.“Sometimes laughter and good food were the bestnon-medicines thatI had.”
Through it all,shedrew strength from the people in her life.Her best friend Rachel,who shemet at summer camp atage 11,was a constant presence. So was Keith, her boyfriend at the time, whosupportedher emotionallythrough every twist and turn, despite her attempts toconvincehim to runaway.
In 2024, Victoria and Keith got married at City Hall, followed by a larger wedding ceremonywith Rachel serving as maid of honor andtheirfamiliesby their sides.
Victoria always knewthatshe wanted to be a mother, buthercancer treatmentledto early menopausewhichmade itdifficultto use her own eggsto get pregnant.Sheand Keithbegan fertility treatmentusinganegg donor.Her pregnancy was considered high-risk due to hercancer history andcardiovascular disease.Despite that, it wasfilledwith joyand gratitudefora chapter she onceworriedmightnotcome.
Victoria creditsher miracle baby toa combination ofscience,her Jewish faith andthe “Luck of the Irish”that comesfromher husband’sside of the family.“Motherhood can look different for everyone,” she says. “I never think of my son as anything other than my b.”
Today, at 36, Victoria is embracingbeing a momwith awe and gratitude. Konnor brings newmeaningto every day.
Recently, Victoria returned to see Dr. Shore forafollowupvisitand brought baby Konnor with her.The moment was pure joy.
“I saw Victoriaduring some very difficultpartsof lymphomatreatmentand nowI get to see heras amomenteringthis beautiful new chapterin her life,”Dr. Shoresays.“As an oncologist, I reallycherish seeing my patientsreclaim their lives.’sone of the greatest privileges of my work.”
Victoriaviewsherpath tomotherhoodas a testament to the power of positivity, community, and determination.
Her message for others facing cancer is simple and heartfelt:“۴dz’rstronger than you think. Lean on your people andDz’tgive up. The only way through is through, and t is a way through.”
