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Unborn Twins Save Mother by Dislodging Tumor With Their Kicks
- Feb 6, 2008 at 3:43 PM
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LifeSiteNews. com
Monday February 4, 2008
Unborn Twins Save Mother by Dislodging Tumor With Their Kicks
By John Connolly
LONDON, February 4, 2008 (LifeSiteNews. com) - Doctors who treated a
London woman for cancer said on Monday that her life was saved by her
unborn twins, whose kicking dislodged the tumor.
Michelle Stepney, 35, was diagnosed with cervical cancer while
pregnant with twin girls, both of whom were born healthy in December
2006. According to recent reports by doctors, if the twins had not
kicked the tumor loose, it would not have been discovered until it
was too late.
Doctors advised Stepney to have an abortion to undergo cancer
treatment that would involve a hysterectomy. Stepney refused, waiting
to undergo treatment until the twins were born.
"I owe my life to my girls, and that's why I could have never agreed
with a termination, " she said. "I knew I could have an operation
straight away and it would cure me of the cancer, but that would mean
getting rid of my babies and I couldn't do that."
Michelle and her husband, Scott, also had a five-year-old son called
Jack at the time of the diagnosis.
"It was a very difficult decision to make," said Michelle. "We wanted
to make sure what we did was right by Jack, but we did not want to do
what was wrong by the girls."
The twins, Alice and Harriet, were delivered by caesarean section 33
weeks into the pregnancy. They were healthy, although due to the
reduced chemotherapy treatments used on Michelle, they were born
without hair.
"I couldn't believe it when the doctors told me that the babies had
dislodged the tumor," Michelle said. "I'd felt them kicking, but I
didn't realize just how important their kicking would turn out to be."
"They were born without any hair as a result of the chemotherapy, but
other than that, they were healthy. When I heard them both let out a
cry it was the best sound in the world."
Four weeks later Stepney had a hysterectomy to completely remove the
tumor, which tests showed had not spread. She underwent tests last
month that showed she is still free from cancer, and Alice and
Harriet just celebrated their first birthday.
Michelle said that her family was her support throughout the trials
of her cancer and uncertain pregnancy. Her husband gave her
unwavering support, working to keep their family together.
"I couldn't have got through it without him," she said. "The twins
were also a huge support. They kept me strong throughout it all. I
feel so lucky. And one day I will tell my daughters how they saved
their mummy's life."
Monday February 4, 2008
Unborn Twins Save Mother by Dislodging Tumor With Their Kicks
By John Connolly
LONDON, February 4, 2008 (LifeSiteNews. com) - Doctors who treated a
London woman for cancer said on Monday that her life was saved by her
unborn twins, whose kicking dislodged the tumor.
Michelle Stepney, 35, was diagnosed with cervical cancer while
pregnant with twin girls, both of whom were born healthy in December
2006. According to recent reports by doctors, if the twins had not
kicked the tumor loose, it would not have been discovered until it
was too late.
Doctors advised Stepney to have an abortion to undergo cancer
treatment that would involve a hysterectomy. Stepney refused, waiting
to undergo treatment until the twins were born.
"I owe my life to my girls, and that's why I could have never agreed
with a termination, " she said. "I knew I could have an operation
straight away and it would cure me of the cancer, but that would mean
getting rid of my babies and I couldn't do that."
Michelle and her husband, Scott, also had a five-year-old son called
Jack at the time of the diagnosis.
"It was a very difficult decision to make," said Michelle. "We wanted
to make sure what we did was right by Jack, but we did not want to do
what was wrong by the girls."
The twins, Alice and Harriet, were delivered by caesarean section 33
weeks into the pregnancy. They were healthy, although due to the
reduced chemotherapy treatments used on Michelle, they were born
without hair.
"I couldn't believe it when the doctors told me that the babies had
dislodged the tumor," Michelle said. "I'd felt them kicking, but I
didn't realize just how important their kicking would turn out to be."
"They were born without any hair as a result of the chemotherapy, but
other than that, they were healthy. When I heard them both let out a
cry it was the best sound in the world."
Four weeks later Stepney had a hysterectomy to completely remove the
tumor, which tests showed had not spread. She underwent tests last
month that showed she is still free from cancer, and Alice and
Harriet just celebrated their first birthday.
Michelle said that her family was her support throughout the trials
of her cancer and uncertain pregnancy. Her husband gave her
unwavering support, working to keep their family together.
"I couldn't have got through it without him," she said. "The twins
were also a huge support. They kept me strong throughout it all. I
feel so lucky. And one day I will tell my daughters how they saved
their mummy's life."
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