Cancer was the last thing on Marissa Haas’ mind two weeks after she gave birth to her second child, Luke. That’s when she started getting severe abdominal pain and thought maybe it was a postpartum issue.

“I kept telling myself that I was fine, and it was just because Luke’s birth was very difficult and left me feeling traumatized afterward and blessed to be able to hold him in my arms,” Haas said.

The Emmaus woman contacted her obstetrician, who recommended blood work.

That blood work was abnormal and the doctor told her to go to the emergency room.

Her twin sister Macy Weidner took her to the hospital while her husband Derek, a Palmerton native, stayed home with their daughter Charlotte and newborn son.

“After more blood work, CT scans and X-rays, the medical team found what I never thought would be possible,” Haas said. “At 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 3, 2023, the doctor came in and shared the news that they found a suspicious mass on my right lung that is most likely cancer.”

Haas said, “It’s hard, even a year later, to think about that moment. I was laying in the hospital bed and looking at him in complete disbelief and shock. I remember thinking in my head, ‘How is this possible? I just had a baby! I’ve never smoked anything in my entire life.’?”

Just 30 years old when diagnosed, she asked, “Did I do something wrong? Am I going to be OK?”

The doctor said there was nothing she did or didn’t do to cause it. He recommended further testing and biopsies.

“He left the room and I looked at my sister and said between sobs, “My children won’t remember me.’?”

That afternoon she had her first biopsy, which confirmed adenocarcinoma.

Her mother, who came to relieve her sister, called a friend who had just beaten cancer, and she recommended Penn Medicine. “During the entire process, I felt so scared. I didn’t want to leave my babies and my loved ones. I prayed so hard the entire time. I asked God to please be with me, to help guide us to make the right decisions,” Haas remembers.

The next step

She contacted Penn Medicine.

“I am a firm believer that God was working through them,” she said. “My parents went with me to every appointment, scan and surgery, so my husband could be home with my children and go to work to help us afford the medical bills that were already starting to come in the mail. Having him at home so our kids could have their daddy with them every night gave me such peace of mind. If they couldn’t have both of us, they deserved to be with one of us. Derek is an amazing father and my rock.”

Her first appointment at Penn was Feb. 14, 2023.

She met Dr. John C. Kucharczuk, director of the Integrated Thoracic Oncology Program.

“Without hesitation, he knew right away that I needed to get this removed and reassured me that I am young, strong and an otherwise healthy young mom who is going to get through this.”

Her first operation was Feb. 27, a video assisted thoracoscopic surgery. This new biopsy showed minimal spread in the lung and the doctor recommended surgery. On March 27, she had the entire right upper lobe of her lung removed.

“I was staged at 1A2 and my long term prognosis is favorable,” Haas said. No more treatment is required at this point. She is getting scans every six months.

Recovery

One year later, she recounts her struggles. “I began having panic attacks, high anxiety, crying everyday, moments of feeling hopeless and bitter,” Haas said.

“Every appointment, every scan, every operation was more time away from my daughter and newborn son. Time I can’t get back.”

Her mom took a leave of absence from work to help her recover from surgeries.

She was on both pain and anti-anxiety medicines.

“I worked really hard to use the breathing tool they gave me to help me recover faster. For a few months, I had a constant cough.”

Known as “Right Upper Lobectomy Cough,” she had trouble getting out a full sentence.

The cough is only occasional now. “I am finding that I continue to get stronger each day, and I am ready to get back into a workout regimen that I enjoyed doing before,” she said. Being able to walk up the stairs with her young son in her arms is a victory.

Having cancer has changed her in many ways. “I’ve learned so much about myself, the cancer community, my faith, and my relationships.”

But the anxiety continues. “I worry about every little symptom, every little change, and I am so quick to think the worst. I was never that type of person before. Cancer not only took a toll on my physical health, but I find that the mental struggles have been the hardest battle.”

A therapist has helped her through the process.

A few months after surgery, she began having a hard time swallowing. A suspicious nodule in her thyroid turned out to be benign. More stomach pains and tests revealed an enlarged liver.

“I pray that one day soon, I will be able to feel ‘normal’ again,” she said.

Her marriage of five years has grown stronger.

“Watching how much my husband has stepped up to do whatever was needed for our children and for me has made me appreciate him and love him more than I already had. He continues to encourage me and make me laugh every day, all while being a pillar of strength for me,” she said.

Family and friends took Luke overnight a few times so Derek could get some sleep and be able to function at work the next day. Daily texts, gift cards and meals helped to keep her going.

A first grade teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in Emmaus, she said students and teachers sent cards and letters of support.

Having a twin sister was also a blessing.

“She helped me to dive in head first and lead our family through prayer and Bible studies. We were always a family of faith and loved our local church in Macungie. I knew that I couldn’t do this alone. I knew that I needed God’s help,” she said.

She did ask why it happened to her.

“There were many Sunday mornings during service that I just cried. I could feel God’s love for me, and I clung onto every lesson and word that our pastor shared during the gospel and sermons.”

Macy became the family’s spiritual leader. “Where I struggled, she took my hand and led. We worked together to learn more about God’s love for us and how we lean on him through the bad times. We did Bible studies together, and whenever I was struggling, her and my mom would come over to just sit and pray with me.

“I firmly believe that my cancer was my walk of faith,” Haas said. “I continue to learn more about His love each day and rely on him to continue to get me through my inner battles.”

Helping others

Her sister created a Facebook page, “Marissa’s Warriors” to keep loved ones posted on every appointment, scan and operation.

Now that she is in the surveillance phase, Marissa and Derek decided to use the Marissa’s Warriors platform to help other local families.

They had their first Marissa’s Warriors event in February. They raised money for two local families. “It was such a humbling and moving experience to know that even in our own small community, there are so many people willing to come together to help for a good cause. We are going to continue to help as many families as we can and to be a source of light and love for others. It’s a work in progress, but we are excited for what the future is going to bring.”

Her advice for people going through a similar journey: ”Don’t be afraid to ask for help, get second opinions, hope is not lost, rely on your loved ones, take a walk of faith and share your story! You never know how many people you can help.”

Marissa Haas is being honored with a Courage Award during the Cancer Telethon this weekend, broadcast live from Penn’s Peak on Service Electric TV 913/914 and streaming on YouTube. The presentations will take place early Sunday evening.