Survivor Triumphs: First Child Born to Breast Cancer Warrior

PHOENIX — A Valley woman is highlighting her remarkable journey as a breast cancer survivor during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Brynna Valor welcomed her first child nearly three years after receiving a cancer-free diagnosis, following a grueling battle against stage three triple-negative breast cancer.

Valor underwent extensive treatment that began with a shocking diagnosis in December 2020 when she was 29. A lump found in her breast led to a mammogram that confirmed her fears. “I thought maybe, somehow, it would have skipped me,” she recalled. However, the reality of her diagnosis set in, prompting her to prepare for the challenges ahead.

Before starting treatment at Dignity Health Cancer Institute, doctors warned Valor that aggressive treatment might affect her fertility. “Breast cancer can often reduce fertility for many women,” Dr. Kendra Gray noted, adding that some women may experience early menopause. This knowledge intensified Valor’s desire to become a mother, leading to significant discussions with her now-husband, Blaine.

Beginning chemotherapy was a daunting task, with the first weeks proving particularly challenging. Valor lost her hair almost immediately and dealt with severe fatigue. “I was exhausted, nauseous,” she stated. During her six-month treatment, she aimed to maintain her activity level, often slow-moving through her favorite running trails to boost her spirits.

In July 2021, Valor underwent a double mastectomy followed by reconstruction and radiation. After 25 rounds, she completed her treatment in October 2021. Her husband was a constant source of support throughout her ordeal, which ultimately culminated in their engagement the following year.

The couple married on September 30, 2023. Shortly after, in January 2023, they received unexpected but joyous news—Valor was pregnant. “It was a joyous moment, it was a huge surprise,” she said. Their healthy baby boy, Elias James Coury, was born on September 29, 2023, almost exactly three years after she was declared cancer-free.

“He is a miracle in more ways than one,” Valor remarked, acknowledging the significance of her journey to motherhood. Dr. Gray affirmed the blessing of Valor’s pregnancy, underscoring the challenges many cancer survivors face in realizing their dreams of having children.

Valor is passionate about using her experience to inspire others. By sharing her story through YouTube and social media, she connects with numerous women facing similar challenges. She is also planning to launch a podcast to further discuss her journey and support fellow breast cancer survivors.