Kim Vaillancourt with Wyatt Eli
A 36 year-old young mother from New York, who is suffering from a rare form of brain cancer and who opted to delay treatment until after her baby was born, has given birth to a healthy baby boy named Wyatt Eli – a name which means “little warrior sent by God.”
The Daily Mail is reporting on the story of Kim Vaillancourt of Tonawanda, New York, who was diagnosed with glioblastoma on December 27 when she was already five months pregnant.
The cancer was discovered when she went to the doctors complaining about nausea and headaches and suddenly found herself in the Emergency Room. Doctors found two rapidly-growing tumors in her brain, one near the front of the brain and the second near the brain stem. She was rushed into surgery where doctors removed the tumors; however, this type of tumor grows back rapidly which is why regular radiation therapy is required. Because of the threat this treatment posed to her unborn son, Vaillancourt opted to risk a relapse and wait until after he was born to start her treatments.
Because it was out of concern for her baby that she first went to the doctor where the cancer was discovered, Kim says, “The baby saved me. Now it’s my turn to save him.”
Wyatt Eli was born on April 8, weighing 4.7 pounds.
What makes this story even more special is that little Wyatt will now join his two siblings, ages 11 and 12, as well as the three foster children, ages six, seven, and 10, which were adopted by the Vaillancourts just days before Kim’s diagnosis. They now have a house full!
“The Vaillancourt family is beyond grateful for the community’s support and continued prayers during this time,” said a family friend on a new Go Fund Me page erected for the Vaillancourts, adding that the entire country has gravitated toward this beautiful family and offered prayers, support and love.
“Wyatt Eli, meaning ‘little warrior sent by God’ is wrapped in love by parents Kim and Phil, brother, sisters, family, and countless friends,” the page reads.
As for what the future holds, Kim and her husband, Phil, are hoping for the best and leaving the rest up to God.
“We’re praying a lot and trusting God through these next few weeks to keep these scans clean,” Phil Vaillancourt told the Mail.
Glioblastoma, which affects about 17,000 adults in the U.S. every year, is a very aggressive form of cancer. Doctors say patients with the condition have a median survival rate of about 14 months.
But like her “little warrior,” Kim is a fighter.
“I hope to fight this off for years and years to come,” Kim said. “I hope to be sitting here in 30 years saying how I beat this.”
Phil added: “We definitely believe in miracles.”
Let us keep this brave family in our prayers!
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