A pregnant mother was told she needed to deliver her baby early after doctors uncovered a devastating diagnosis.
Amy Carroll, 34, was expecting her fourth child when she began to feel unwell. Early in the pregnancy, she was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, so at first she believed her symptoms were linked to that condition.
She started having dizzy spells and episodes of fainting, but the situation became far more serious in the early hours of June 17 when she suffered a seizure in bed beside her partner, Torrin Sirus, 36.
The Northamptonshire support worker was taken to hospital, where she underwent MRI and CT scans over the next two days.
Doctors then discovered seven masses on her brain and diagnosed her with stage four brain cancer. Medics said it was connected to the breast cancer she had in 2021, which she had previously overcome. Secondary cancers in the brain can cause symptoms such as dizziness, confusion and seizures, and breast cancer is among the cancers that can spread there. Although stage four breast cancer cannot usually be cured, it can often be treated to help control the disease.
Because cancer treatment needed to begin quickly, Amy underwent an emergency C-section at just under 31 weeks. Her son, Arlo Atlas Sirus, was born weighing 4lb 2oz and is said to be doing well. Babies born before 37 weeks are considered premature and often need specialist neonatal care, especially when they arrive this early.
Amy has since spoken about how grateful she is that Arlo arrived safely, describing him as a miracle.
“This pregnancy saved my life because I didn’t realise I was ill.
“After my breast cancer treatment, I was told I could never have kids so this baby is a miracle.”
She also recalled feeling ill during the early stages of her pregnancy and assuming it was related to gestational diabetes.
“At the start of my pregnancy, I started to feel unwell and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes for the first time ever.
“I was feeling a bit dizzy and faint but thought it was a side effect of the diabetes and tried to shake it off.”
Amy said she has no memory of being taken to hospital after the seizure.
She is now waiting to begin her first round of treatment and has spoken about her fears over the impact it may have on time with her newborn son. Treatment for secondary brain cancer can include radiotherapy, and doctors often adjust chemotherapy plans depending on how a patient is recovering and what other treatment has already been given.
“When I start treatment, I won’t be able to be with the baby all the time which is going to break me, I’ve got to see how I am after each treatment,” she said.
“When I do have chemotherapy, I won’t be able to touch him at all, which will be so hard.”
She explained that the same thing happened when she previously underwent chemotherapy, as she had not been allowed to touch her children then either.
“I was so tired and exhausted from it, and I know I will be again this time,” she said.
“The doctors haven’t told me what type of chemotherapy I am going to have yet, as they are getting the radiotherapy done first and then reassessing the treatment plan.”
Amy is expected to begin radiotherapy on July 15, but she said being with Arlo gives her a sense of relief amid everything she is facing.
“He is so cute, whenever I see Arlo every worry goes away, I forget I’ve had a c-section and that I’ve got the tumours,” she said.