Mother who refused an abortion after being diagnosed with cancer while pregnant is overjoyed to give birth to healthy twins - but now faces tough fight to beat the disease
12/11/2015 Daily Mail
A mother who risked her life to save her unborn twins has vowed to beat cancer for the sake of her babies.
Holley Tierney, 25, was 23-weeks pregnant when doctors told her she had Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma - a rare cancer that develops in the lymphatic system.
The dance teacher visited A&E after suffering severe pain in her chest and tests later found a cancerous mass.
Doctors then advised Miss Tierney, from Manchester, to terminate her pregnancy so she could start chemotherapy.
But she refused as they were already starting to kick and chose to risk her life for her two unborn babies.
As her health deteriorated, the twins grew stronger and Harlow and Havana were delivered on August 19.
'It was the happiest day of my life when my babies were delivered safely, it was definitely a risk worth taking, all I cared about was their health,' she said.
'I knew there was no way I could terminate my pregnancy when I felt them kick, my maternal instincts had already kicked in.'
Doctors initially thought Miss Tierney had pulled a muscle when she started getting pains in her chest and arms.
She went to A&E for peace of mind - a move that would ultimately save her life.
'I'm a dance teacher and that day I had carried a sound system so I figured the pain was due to that, but because I was pregnant I decided to get checked out at hospital.
'I'm so thankful to the doctor in A&E that pushed for me to have an X-ray and CT scan as I was just about to be sent home with a pulled muscle, he has saved my life.'
The tests revealed a shadow on her chest and she was diagnosed her with an aggressive form of cancer.
She needed to be put under general anaesthetic for a biopsy to be taken, something that was a risk for the twins, but necessary to devise a treatment plan.
But Miss Tierney was determined to delay the drugs until after the babies were born, against the advice of doctors.
'But at 29-weeks doctors said I shouldn't wait any longer as my cancer could spread and I needed to start chemotherapy.
'My babies were delivered safely in August and taken straight to intensive care, they weighed almost 3lbs each.
'Seeing them for the first time was the best feeling in the world, I couldn't believe they were mine.
'But it was bittersweet as I kept thinking I would never have chance to watch them grow up.'
The new mother started chemotherapy a week after they were born and was then faced with sickness and hair loss.
'It was heart breaking but I knew I needed to stay strong and positive for my babies,' she said.
'They had fought to stay alive and now I needed to fight for my life and that's exactly what I'm doing.
'I've had five cycles of chemotherapy and I have one left before I start radiotherapy in the new year. I'm just waiting for some scan results to see if it is working but I'm feeling hopeful.'
The twins spent 11 weeks in hospital before they were discharged and are now enjoying life at home with Miss Tierney and her partner.
She has just one cycle of chemotherapy left before starting radiotherapy in the new year and hopes her story will inspire other women to look out for the symptoms during pregnancy.
'I was suffering from night sweats, tiredness, breathlessness, hot flushes and slight dizziness but I was carrying two babies and presumed it was normal.
'If you ever suspect something is wrong be persistent with your doctor, you know your own body better than anyone else.
'I'm lucky it was caught early enough to treat and my beautiful twins are now Harlow is now 7lb 10oz and Havana 6lb 9oz.'
Pete Wallroth, Founder of Mummy's Star, a UK charity that helps those affected by cancer during pregnancy, said: 'No mum should ever have to go through the trauma of being diagnosed with cancer in pregnancy, the feeling of isolation that comes with it or have to consider making such choices like Holley has.
'Mummy's Star was set up for exactly this reason: so that mums like her, who find themselves in this rare but deeply worrying time have somewhere to turn to for support when they feel like there is very little out there to help them.
'We are delighted to hear that her twins are out of hospital and are now settling in at home'