Life can be really beautiful sometimes, but it can also be really tough. That’s what makes it such an adventure, I guess, the surprises it brings.
Brianna Rawlings was just 18 years old and 17 weeks pregnant, excited to become a mom, when she got some really bad news.
Doctors told her she had a rare and aggressive type of blood cancer called NK cell leukemia. Before that, hospitals and doctors thought her symptoms were just related to her pregnancy.
Almost halfway through her pregnancy, Brianna had to make a tough choice: she could either end her baby’s life to start treatment that could save her own, or she could continue with her pregnancy and hope for a healthy baby.
Brianna decided not to have treatment while she was pregnant and instead focused on bringing her son into the world. Sadly, her choice led to a heartbreaking outcome for both her and her baby.
Her son, Kyden, lived for only 12 days. He was surrounded by so much love, but he was born three months early and couldn’t survive.
Brianna got a blood infection, and doctors were worried it could affect the baby, so they had to perform an emergency C-section to deliver Kyden.
In an interview with Femail, as reported by the Daily Mail, Brianna said: “Those 12 days I had with my baby boy Kyden, holding him, counting his fingers and toes, and talking to him like I did when he was in my belly, were so special. They were the best 12 days of my life!”
She added, “It’s been really hard, long, exhausting, and painful. Even though Kyden isn’t here anymore, he gave me the strength to keep going and fight this.”
“I really want to overcome this terrible illness. I have faith that I can do it, and I promised my son I would.”
At first, it really looked like Brianna was improving.
Her blood levels started to go up, and she was pushing herself hard to get her leg muscles working again.
Unfortunately, things got worse again. Her health began to decline, which made the doctors cancel the bone marrow transplant that was supposed to come from her brother.
Instead, they gave her a trial medication that they believed would improve her chances of surviving.
Even though the treatment was incredibly expensive at $3,000 each week, her family managed to gather the funds needed for her to start a regular treatment plan.
They only completed two rounds of the medication before the cancer took her away.
19-year-old Brianna Rawlings lost her battle with leukemia on December 29, 2018 – but she fought bravely and passed away with a dignity that few of us could ever hope to achieve.
This shows such incredible love that someone can have.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Brianna Rawlings’ family. I believe she was a wonderful person. She fought hard for her baby.
Share this article if you’re standing up in the fight against cancer and want to raise awareness.
Together, we can hopefully defeat this awful disease!
