Cancer Patient Refused to Terminate Her Pregnancy: ‘Doctors Do Not Know Everything’

Cancer Patient Refused to Terminate Her Pregnancy: ‘Doctors Do Not Know Everything’
(Illustration - Shutterstock)
4/21/2019
Updated:
4/26/2019

Sarah Wickline Hull was 20 weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. It’s every pregnant mother’s nightmare; doctors told her that in order to save her own life, she would have to end that of her unborn baby.

Sarah had suffered years of infertility before becoming pregnant and was not willing to give up her baby without a fight. In fact, she was not willing to give up her baby at all. “I knew I would rather die and give birth,” Sarah wrote on her Facebook page.

Her doctors were not tremendously sympathetic. One even reeled off a list of potential problems if Sarah were to keep the baby. Achieving nothing except fueling Sarah’s incredulity and determination, the doctor’s words did not resonate.

She had made up her mind: “I stood my ground and refused,” Sarah stated.

Without the full support of her immediate medical team, Sarah widened the search and eventually found doctors who agreed to support her through the rest of her pregnancy alongside her cancer care. Sarah’s case was not unique, but it was nonetheless arduous finding a team of doctors who fully appreciated Sarah’s desire to proceed with her pregnancy, above and beyond her concerns for her own physical health.

But she did it. And not a moment too soon.

Sarah gave birth to a beautiful baby girl at 34 weeks; a perfectly healthy length of pregnancy and a perfectly unharmed baby daughter.

This happened 10 years ago.

“I have a healthy, beautiful, bright, precious 10-year-old daughter who is a living reminder that doctors do not know everything,” Sarah shared on social media.

And to add even more leverage to an already happy ending: “I will be celebrating 10 years cancer free in May.”

Since her story was shared on Facebook, the thought-provoking post has received an overwhelming response, garnering over 850,000 likes and having been shared over 300,000 times.

One social media user wrote, “Your testimony is truly inspiring Sarah!”

While another wrote: “Thank you for your faithfulness, trust, and courage! I marvel at how God speaks to us through others. Your tender story is a powerful witness to the light that drives out darkness.”

“It’s hard to find the words that truly describe how amazing you are Sarah. The faith you had was unwavering, and you knew that when the Doctors did not. I love you,” another chimed in.

In conversation with The Western Journal’s “Liftable,” Sarah expressed that she doesn’t believe abortion is always necessary if the mother-to-be suffers health problems during pregnancy. Sarah advocates agency in dealing with doctors; for women to know their own bodies, their rights, and what is most important to them.

“Please know that I will be praying for all of you,” Sarah posted, after being inundated with messages from readers who sympathized with her experience or shared similar stories of their own.

Are you affected by Sarah’s powerful story? Share, show solidarity with Sarah, and keep the conversation going—we must know ourselves when it comes to making important decision about our bodies, and our lives!
Louise Chambers is a writer, born and raised in London, England. She covers inspiring news and human interest stories.
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