PHOTOS: Stacie Crimm, the mother who refused chemotherapy to save her unborn daughter

[Amerigo Vespucci]

This is the story of Stacie Crimm, a brave woman from Oklahoma who made the ultimate sacrifice to save her unborn daughter. The 41 year-old mother-to-be began having severe headaches a few months after she found out she was pregnant. A CT scan would reveal Stacie had head and neck cancer. Stacie was faced with the toughest choice of her life, undergo potentially life-saving chemotherapy and hope the baby wouldn't be affected by the invasive treatment, or forgo treatment to let the child grow without the brutal chemo assault, a choice that would end in Stacie's own death.

According to Stacie's brother, Ray, "It didn't take long for (Stacie) to make her decision." She decided against the chemo. A couple months later Stacie collapsed in her home and was rushed to the hospital. The invasive tumor had wrapped itself around Stacie's brain stem. She didn't have long and the baby's heart rate was dropping as well.

Doctors decided to deliver the 2 pound, 1 ounce Dottie May by cesarean section. After the birth, Stacie fell unconscious and was unable to even sign her daughter's birth certificate. Custody of Dottie was given to Stacie's brother, Ray. Doctors feared Stacie would not regain consciousness but on September 8th, Stacie woke up just long enough to hold her daughter one last time.

Three days later, Stacie passed away. What an unbelievably brave woman. Last week, Stacie's brother brought a healthy 5 lb. Dottie home to live with his wife and Dottie's four brand new siblings.



















http://thechive.com/2011/10/20/mother-refuses-cancer-treatment-to-save-her-daughter-9-photos/