Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live

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southerngale
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Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live

#1 Postby southerngale » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:22 pm

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While many women dispose of their unwanted babies by having abortions, this selfless woman gave up treatment just to give her baby life. I'm sure she would have died anyway, but it could have prolonged her life a little, but she chose to put her baby's life first... little Liam.
Expectant mother Lorraine Allard learned the devastating news that she was in the advanced stages of liver cancer when she was four months pregnant, according to the Daily Mail.

Allard, of St. Olaves in the U.K., had a choice: Delay treatment to save her baby, or terminate the pregnancy to save herself.

She chose the former, waiting until the fetus was viable before scheduling a Caesarean section.

"If I am going to die, my baby is going to live," Allard told her husband, Martyn, according to the Mail.

The baby came a week early and Allard, 33, gave birth on Nov. 18 to a healthy but premature boy she named Liam.

Exactly two months later, Allard died. She'd begun chemotherapy just after her son's birth. But in the end, it was too late.

Doctors believe Allard had bowel cancer that had gone undetected for years, eventually spreading to her liver. She realized something was wrong after she began suffering from stomach cramps, and tests revealed that her liver was covered with malignant tumors, the Mail reported.

"The doctors said they couldn't do anything because she was pregnant," Martyn Allard, 34, told the Mail. "She told them straight away they were not going to get rid of it. She'd have lost the will to fight."

The courageous and selfless mother was able to get out of bed and hold her tiny son several times beside his incubator before her death. Liam is the Allards' fourth child and first boy; his sisters are Leah, 10; Amy, 8; and Courtney, 20 months.

"Lorraine was positive all the way through," Martyn Allard told the paper. "She had strength for both of us. I can't begin to describe how brave she was. Towards the end we knew things weren't going well, but she was overjoyed that she had given life to Liam."


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,325458,00.html
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#2 Postby HURAKAN » Fri Jan 25, 2008 3:32 pm

That's to be respected and admired. I'm a pro-choice person but I admire persons that put the life of their babies before their own.
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Re: Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live

#3 Postby angelwing » Fri Jan 25, 2008 5:07 pm

I think the mother did the right thing, she is to be commended!
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#4 Postby CajunMama » Fri Jan 25, 2008 6:19 pm

I had a friend from high school who chose to carry her baby to term and forego any treatment for her cancer. Sadly, she too died shortly after the birth of her child. I admire the selflessness of these mothers. They are surely sitting in a special place in heaven waiting for when their family is together again.
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Re: Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live

#5 Postby Dionne » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:01 am

I can tell you from first hand experience that women with cancer are very courageous. As a caregiver and husband to a woman battling breast cancer and complications.....I see the strength in her everyday. Working with the Komen Race for the Cure has certainly opened my eyes.

Words cannot express my admiration for this woman.

Pass the tissues.... :cry:
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#6 Postby Miss Mary » Sat Jan 26, 2008 9:08 am

I greatly admire this mother's decision too. Being a cancer survivor and a mother, I know what my decision would be - it would not be a dilemma, I would have my baby's health and well being at heart first and foremost. I would delay treatment and if by then it would be too late, the trade off would be worth it - a healthy baby!

A no brainer really......I try so hard not to judge others but if I knew someone who was pregnant and opted for treatment knowing the baby would be affected, I honestly could not look that mother in the eye again, the same way.

But that's just my 2 cents on the matter. A tough choice for some I imagine. It just wouldn't be for this mother. Very sad that she lost her life but look at the gift she left behind.
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Re: Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live

#7 Postby Ptarmigan » Sat Jan 26, 2008 6:05 pm

Gotta admire her for that. I know chemotherapy can cause a lot of health problems.
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Re: Mother Delays Cancer Treatments So Baby Can Live

#8 Postby dizzyfish » Sat Jan 26, 2008 7:02 pm

I admire her also. The ultimate sacrifice.

Just a little story for you all...

One of my friends just had a breast removed and is taking medication instead of chemo or radiation. Talking to her today she told me she is going to be a Great-grandmother! Whoa!!!
Her 18 year old greatgranddaughter is pregnant! Hopefully will finish high school in June - but maybe not. Skipping classes and such. Told her greatgrandma (about her cancer) "Oh well - you're old".

Don't know the kid but wish I did!!! I'd slap her silly!!!!

Sorry - just had to tell that story. That's just wrong!!!
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