Stacie Crimm was shocked and ecstatic when she found out that she was pregnant, especially since she was told in the past that it was impossible for her to get pregnant.[1] She told everyone, including her brother, about the news.[2]
Her overwhelming joy, however, was soon mixed in with pain and suffering. She started getting massive headaches, double vision, as well as other symptoms.[3] After going to the doctors she learned that she had head and neck cancer,[4] which came about as a result of mold exposure from a remodeling project.[5] It was at this point that she had to choose between taking chemotherapy (which would have the unfortunate effect of killing her unborn child) or not taking the chemotherapy and continuing on with the pregnancy (which essentially guaranteed her own death).[6] Her brother, Ray Phillips, said that she only pondered it for a while before deciding on the latter.[7]
She suffered for a while, fighting off the cancer to give her unborn child a chance at life, until, on August 16th, she was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at her home.[8] Two days later a Code Blue was ordered because the unborn child’s heart rate dropped and Stacie’s heart stopped completely.[9] The doctors decided that the only way for the baby to be saved was via C-section.[10]
2 pound 1 ounce Dottie Mae was born shortly after.[11] Because of her petite size she had to be rushed immediately to neonatal intensive care.[12] And because of her being so close to death herself (her tumors and cancer worsening beyond treatment and affecting her in severely negative ways) Stacie was unable to even see, much less hold, Dottie Mae.[13]
A couple of weeks later, however, Dottie Mae was developed enough to be moved.[14] Stacie was able to hold her in her arms for a few minutes and appreciate the life that she had fought so hard to protect.[15]
Stacie died three days later, September 11, 2011 .[16] Her brother and his wife, Jennifer, are now taking care of Dottie Mae, as her brother promised he would.[17]
May all mothers have the same love and care for their children that Stacie had for her child.
[1] Whitwell, Laurie. “Cancer-stricken mother dies 23 days after giving birth to daughter saved by refusing chemotherapy treatment.” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050224/Stacie-Crimm-refuses-chemotherapy-unborn-daughter-Dottie-Mae-live.html
[2] Ibid
[3] Ertelt, Steven. “Mother with Cancer Sacrifices Her Life for Her Unborn Baby.” http://www.lifenews.com/2011/10/18/mother-with-cancer-sacrifices-her-life-for-her-unborn-baby/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifenews%2Fnewsfeed+%28LifeNews.com%29
[4] Whitwell, Laurie. “Cancer-stricken mother dies 23 days after giving birth to daughter saved by refusing chemotherapy treatment.” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050224/Stacie-Crimm-refuses-chemotherapy-unborn-daughter-Dottie-Mae-live.html
[5] Ertelt, Steven. “Mother with Cancer Sacrifices Her Life for Her Unborn Baby.” http://www.lifenews.com/2011/10/18/mother-with-cancer-sacrifices-her-life-for-her-unborn-baby/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifenews%2Fnewsfeed+%28LifeNews.com%29
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid
[8] Ibid
[9] Whitwell, Laurie. “Cancer-stricken mother dies 23 days after giving birth to daughter saved by refusing chemotherapy treatment.” http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2050224/Stacie-Crimm-refuses-chemotherapy-unborn-daughter-Dottie-Mae-live.html
[10] Ibid
[11] Ibid
[12] Ibid
[13] Ibid
[14] Ibid
[15] Ibid
[16] Ibid
[17] [17] Ertelt, Steven. “Mother with Cancer Sacrifices Her Life for Her Unborn Baby.” http://www.lifenews.com/2011/10/18/mother-with-cancer-sacrifices-her-life-for-her-unborn-baby/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lifenews%2Fnewsfeed+%28LifeNews.com%29
