Elizabeth Joice thought she would never have a child. Doctors didn’t believe it was possible because of the chemotherapy treatment she underwent for cancer in 2010.
But then, she and her husband, Max, were overjoyed to discover they were expecting, much like the cancer survivor who was shocked when she found out she was pregnant.
“I’m not much for talking miracles, but it very much felt like a miracle,” Max told CNN. “Bringing a child into this world, I mean, it wasn’t just important for me; it was one of the most important things for Liz.”
A month into the pregnancy, however, Joice’s cancer came back.
Although surgeons quickly removed a tumor from her back, they needed to see if the cancer had spread to other parts of her body. But such a procedure could be harmful to the fetus.
Joice was left with only two options: She could continue the pregnancy without the scan or terminate it.
What she decided to do is unbelievable. Delve into Elizabeth’s story below.
Elizabeth Joice didn’t think she could ever get pregnant. Doctors thought the chemotherapy treatment she underwent for cancer in 2010 had made her infertile.
But then a miracle happened: Elizabeth and her husband, Max, discovered they were expecting. They were ecstatic!
One month into the pregnancy, however, doctors told the couple some devastating news: Elizabeth’s cancer had returned.
Surgeons quickly removed a tumor from her back. But they didn’t know whether or not the cancer had spread.
The scan that was required to find this out could be harmful for their unborn child.
The couple had to make a very difficult decision: If they were to go forth with a scan to see if the cancer spread to other parts of her body, they’d have to terminate the pregnancy. Or they could choose to do the opposite.
They opted for the latter.
The couple didn’t want to give up what could have been their only chance at having a baby naturally. And so, they went about their pregnancy like any other couple.
Yet, by the third trimester, it was obvious the cancer had spread. Tumors formed in Elizabeth’s lungs and treatment was needed immediately.
Their little bundle of joy was born via a C-section six weeks earlier than her expected due date.
Lily Joice was everything they’d hoped for, but the moment was bittersweet.
“It was incredibly difficult to want to enjoy this amazing moment as much as you possibly can,” Max told CNN. “But to know that you’re facing something so incredibly dire, and the chances didn’t look good at that point.”
But, at that point, Elizabeth’s cancer reached her pelvis, abdomen, and heart.
The brave mother passed away six weeks later.
Max praised his late wife for the risk she made to have their baby girl.
“Her optimism and her courage and her bravery gave people hope,” he said. “That’s what she did for everybody.”
Make sure to watch Max recall this unbelievable story in the video below.
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Elizabeth’s decision to put her unborn baby’s life in front of her own demonstrates an unmatchable courage. It’s a story that needs to be told.
Please make sure to SHARE this mother’s extraordinary love touched your heart.
