There are many stories of melanoma warriors that have touched me through the years, some who have lived on well past their prognosis and are thriving, others that were taken too soon. Each time I read these stories, I am always reminded of how blessed I am to still be here.
This story pricked my soul in a different way, on a deeper level. This young mom of five (pictured above) was recently diagnosed with aggressive Stage 4 melanoma while she was pregnant. She chose to forgo treatment at first, to give her baby a chance to live, but ultimately, became so sick from the cancer, that she was told she needed to deliver the baby early (at 26 weeks), so that she could start treatment to save her life.
Baby Luke was born and doing well for a preemie. Kathy, on the other hand, was declining fast, and doctors at first thought she wouldn't live past the weekend following Luke's birth. Kathy's liver was failing and doctors needed to do something fast.
Then the miracles started happening. All of a sudden, Kathy's health took a turn for the better slowly but surely. Kathy got to a point, where the doctors were able to stabilize her liver so she could begin treatment for melanoma. After she was only given days to live, now all of a sudden, she was living weeks beyond this devastating news. And not only that, she was given the ok to be released from the hospital so she could go home! (Under the care of doctors and healthcare providers, of course.)
The unfortunate news is that baby Luke didn't make it. He passed away due to complications in his digestive system. I can't even imagine how Kathy or her family feel. But I'm also comforted to know that they feel peace and reassurance that they will be with their son again in heaven.
Please pray for this mother and wife, as she continues to astonish doctors with her progress, but needs our prayers and support all the while!
You can read the first news story here , the updated story here, or for the family's blog and updates, read here.
This story pricked my soul in a different way, on a deeper level. This young mom of five (pictured above) was recently diagnosed with aggressive Stage 4 melanoma while she was pregnant. She chose to forgo treatment at first, to give her baby a chance to live, but ultimately, became so sick from the cancer, that she was told she needed to deliver the baby early (at 26 weeks), so that she could start treatment to save her life.
Baby Luke was born and doing well for a preemie. Kathy, on the other hand, was declining fast, and doctors at first thought she wouldn't live past the weekend following Luke's birth. Kathy's liver was failing and doctors needed to do something fast.
Then the miracles started happening. All of a sudden, Kathy's health took a turn for the better slowly but surely. Kathy got to a point, where the doctors were able to stabilize her liver so she could begin treatment for melanoma. After she was only given days to live, now all of a sudden, she was living weeks beyond this devastating news. And not only that, she was given the ok to be released from the hospital so she could go home! (Under the care of doctors and healthcare providers, of course.)
The unfortunate news is that baby Luke didn't make it. He passed away due to complications in his digestive system. I can't even imagine how Kathy or her family feel. But I'm also comforted to know that they feel peace and reassurance that they will be with their son again in heaven.
Please pray for this mother and wife, as she continues to astonish doctors with her progress, but needs our prayers and support all the while!
You can read the first news story here , the updated story here, or for the family's blog and updates, read here.
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