Two Days Before Giving Birth, Mom Finds Lump on Face. Doctors Deliver Devastating News
Kate Geraghty, 34, and her fiancé Paul had made it through a challenging year in 2017, and were finally looking forward to the birth of their first child together in December.
Two days before their daughter was born, Kate noticed a small lump on the side of her face in front of her ear. But medical staff told her it was nothing more than a raised gland following a virus and told her not to worry.
For two weeks, the happy family enjoyed their time together after baby Ivy came into the world. Meanwhile, the lump on Kate’s neck had nearly doubled in size, but doctors again told her not to be concerned.
When Kate’s father saw the lump, however, he urged her to go back to to the doctor a third time. Kate agreed and went to see a different doctor, and this time, they knew right away that something was very wrong.
The doctor immediately sent Kate in for testing. After two weeks of blood tests, CT scans, MRIs, and biopses, she received the devastating news that she had cancer.
“After the incredible high of becoming parents to our incredible daughter Ivy, we have received such devastating news,” Kate explained.
“The whole of Ivy’s short life has been filled with my frequent hospital visits, tests and surgery – not to mention the constant fear and uncertainty whilst also trying to bond with our new baby.”
Kate learned her cancer was extremely aggressive high grade metastatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma, and later scans confirmed it had quickly spread to her lymph nodes.
With her baby at just 9 weeks old, Kate knew she needed to fight for her life with everything she had. She underwent a five hour surgery to remove the tumor, but it had gotten so large that not all of the cancerous cells could be removed.
Doctors recommended radiation therapy within six weeks of the surgery, but the hospital could not fit her in. Another hospital soon stepped up to help Kate, but even more devastating news followed jut one week before her radiation began.
Kate discovered two more lumps, and it wasn’t long before doctors confirmed that the cancer had spread too far to be able to treat.
Now, baby Ivy is 16 weeks old and Kate needs a miracle. Hoping to be with her family for as long as she can, Kate is now seeking treatment in Germany to help prolong her life.
“We are absolutely desperate to raise at least £100,000 as quickly as possible, potentially to travel abroad and begin the immunotherapy treatment. Every donation will help to give us a chance for extra time together as a family and see Ivy grow up.”
With expenses quickly adding up, Kate’s sister organized a fundraiser with a goal of nearly $120,000. In less than a month, the fundraiser has already reached the goal as donors across the world continue to give.
“I want to try anything possible to give me more time with Paul, Ivy and all of my loved ones. We feel humbled by everyone’s reaction and can’t thank people enough for their support,” Kate said.
“We are astounded and extremely grateful to have been given the opportunity to access medical treatment which would have been beyond our means without this incredible effort.”
Our thoughts and prayers are with Kate, Paul, Ivy and their entire family during this difficult time.
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