ANN ARBOR, Mich. — A Michigan mother who refused recommendations that she abort her unborn child in the midst of a battle with an aggressive form of brain cancer, and instead decided to forgo treatment in order to save her baby, has passed into eternity just days after her daughter was removed from her womb.
“Carrie entered into the presence of our Lord early this morning,” the Cure 4 Carrie page posted on Saturday. “I can only imagine what she is experiencing now!”
As previously reported, Carrie DeKlyen, a mother of five, was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme in April and was accepted for a clinic trial at the University of Michigan. However, in meeting with doctors at the facility, she was informed that she was pregnant and would need to obtain an abortion in order to proceed.
She declined.
“The doctor said, ‘If you don’t terminate this baby, Carrie, you will die,’” her husband Nick recalled to People Magazine. “But it was Carrie’s decision, and I said ‘What do you want to do?’ She said, ‘We’re keeping it.’
DeKlyen had two brain surgeries to remove the tumor, but it returned both times. In July, DeKlyen suffered a stroke and never regained consciousness. Family and friends hoped that she would stay alive long enough for her baby to be safely delivered.
On Wednesday, doctors performed a Cesarean section on DeKlyen, delivering her daughter, named Life, at a gestation of 24 weeks, 5 days. She weighed 1 pound, 4 ounces.
The baby is now being treated in the neonatal intensive care unit at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, and is said to be doing well.
Following the birth, all supports were removed and Nick DeKlyen knew that his wife didn’t have long.
“She wanted this, but it’s tough,” he told People Magazine on Friday. “I’m trying to be happy for the baby, but the love of my life is hours away from dying. It hurts so bad.”
Nick said that he kissed his wife on the forehead and told her that she had successfully given their child life.
On Saturday morning, she passed into eternity with her family by her side.
“When our daughter gets old enough, I’ll tell her the story about her brave mommy,” Nick stated. “I’ll tell her that God gave her the gift of life with an awesome plan in mind. We’re not sure why Mommy had to be sick and pass away to do so, but it’s all a special plan and we must trust it.
“I’ll tell her that Mommy did this because she loves you, and she is in Heaven and we’ll see her again—soon.”
The couple has five other children: Elijah, 18, Isaiah, 16, Nevaeh, 11, Leila, 4, and Jez, 2.
Supportive messages have been streaming in from across the country.
“Carrie is the ultimate example of a mother’s selfless love,” wrote one commenter on the Cure 4 Carrie page.
“What a lesson and legacy of sacrificial and selfless love that Carrie has left behind for all of us. With this gift of life, this child will be so special and a constant reminder of love to her family,” another stated.
“‘No one has greater love than this, that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends,’ (John 15:13)” a third quoted.
Become a Christian News Network Supporter...
Dear Reader, has ChristianNews.net been of benefit and a blessing to you? For many years now, the Lord has seen fit to use this small news outlet as a strong influential resource in keeping Christians informed on current events from a Biblical worldview. With much compromise and many falsehoods in modern-day Christianity, we strive to bring you the news by keeping Christ and His word in focus. If you have benefited from our news coverage, please prayerfully consider becoming a Christian News supporter by clicking here to make a one-time or monthly donation to help keep the truth of God's word widely and freely published and distributed. May Christ continue to be exalted through this work!
