A woman who gave birth two months after learning she had an incurable brain tumor believes more research is “desperately required.”
When Laura Mahon, 29, of St Helens, was told she had cancer in September, she was 20 weeks pregnant.
Sienna, who weighed 3lbs 4oz, was born in November after she underwent a scheduled Caesarean section (1.54kg).
After being told she had had two years to live, Ms Mahon said she was “doing everything she could” to raise awareness.
She was taken to the hospital after losing all sensation in her right leg.
Ms Mahon was sent to the Walton Centre for an MRI scan and discovered she had a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) brain tumor.
Doctors told her that the tumor had most likely been there for years and had begun to develop.
“I am only 29 years old and had no idea something like this could happen to me,” she added.
“I was so preoccupied with the baby that I forgot about myself.”
Ms Mahon and her husband Danny claimed they had “many heart-breaking chats” at 30-weeks and decided on a scheduled Caesarean section.
It was the “toughest choice of our life,” she said.
According to Mr. Mahon, who spoke to the media, “It was a catch-22 situation. You want your wife to make it through this, but the earlier you have your kid, the greater the risk to Laura.”
Ms Mahon was diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 brain cancer and given two years to live a month later.
“You can never be fully prepared for it. Hearing it expressed aloud was a life-changing experience for us “Ms. Mahon said.
In January, she brought Sienna home.
“It seemed weird, as if I was living two lives at the same time. Everything appeared to be good, and we were a happy family, until I remembered how ill I was “she stated
Ms Mahon said that having Sienna alongside her and her husband was “very special.”
“It’s difficult at times, and I simply give up.” I’ve seen other individuals with GBMs survive longer, so I’m holding on to the hope that I’ll be one of them.
“I’m battling as hard as I can for my family,” says the fighter.
The Mahons are now collaborating with Brain Tumor Research in an effort to gather funds for research into the condition.
“Too little” was understood about the reasons, according to Matthew Price of the organization, and “more investment was necessary.”
“Brain tumors kill more children and people under the age of 40 than any other cancer,” he said, “but this dreadful illness receives only 1% of the national budget for cancer research.”
