In 2011, Andrea Lim's world was turned upside down. At 26, she was diagnosed with cancer and faced the difficult decision to terminate her pregnancy t
In 2011, Andrea Lim’s world was turned upside down. At 26, she was diagnosed with cancer and faced the difficult decision to terminate her pregnancy to undergo treatment. Now 39, Lim has overcome the illness and cherishes life with her three children, seeing motherhood through a new lens.
Lim, who first experienced severe back pain before her diagnosis, discovered that a tumor pressing on her spinal cord was causing the issue. Following surgery, doctors confirmed she had lymphoma, a type of cancer impacting the immune system. At that time, she was six weeks pregnant with her second child. To proceed with necessary chemotherapy, she made the painful choice to end the pregnancy. Despite her heartbreak, Lim focused on recovery for the sake of her young daughter, Vera.
After two years of treatment, Lim was declared cancer-free. Over time, she welcomed two more children, balancing her health concerns with her desire to grow her family. While her mother initially worried about her resilience, Lim safely gave birth to her second daughter and later a son, fulfilling her dream of siblings for Vera.
In February 2023, Lim’s marriage of 13 years ended, but she maintains a co-parenting arrangement. The experiences of battling cancer and becoming a single parent have shaped her approach to motherhood. She now makes the most of every moment with her children, creating meaningful memories through activities like rollerblading and pool visits, and taking time to nurture their emotional growth.
Lim’s journey with cancer has also reinforced the value of self-care. Between work and parenting, she attends yoga and pole-dancing classes, living by a YOLO attitude. “The challenges I faced showed me that I can handle what life throws at me, and I hope my kids can learn from that resilience,” she says.
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