Young Mother’s Life-Saving Diagnosis Came Just Weeks Before Giving Birth
A Chicago mother was just weeks from delivering her baby when a persistent cough led to a shocking diagnosis: a grapefruit-sized melanoma tumor in her chest. Doctors at Northwestern Medicine acted swiftly, saving both her life and her baby’s.
From Persistent Cough to Life-Threatening Discovery
At 26 years old, MaKenna Lauterbach began experiencing severe coughing fits during the final trimester of her pregnancy. Living on a farm in Washburn, Illinois, she noticed that even simple tasks—like feeding her horses—left her short of breath.
“I felt like I had run two miles, but I had only walked to the barn and back,” Lauterbach shared.
Doctors initially dismissed her symptoms as pregnancy-related. But when her cough caused vomiting, further tests revealed a large tumor in her chest, blocking blood flow to her right lung.
A Rare and Urgent Medical Emergency
The tumor was compressing major blood vessels, putting both MaKenna and her baby at risk of respiratory failure.
Dr. Chris Mehta, a cardiac surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, called it an extremely rare case, stating:
“We may see something like this once every few years.”
Recognizing the urgency, Lauterbach was airlifted to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, where a large medical team was waiting to intervene.
Emergency C-Section to Save Baby Colter
By the time she reached the hospital, MaKenna’s blood pressure was plummeting, and her baby was showing signs of distress.
Dr. Lynn Yee, a maternal-fetal medicine specialist, explained the severity of the situation:
“When you’re pregnant and near full term, your lungs are already under strain. Adding a massive tumor increases the risk of respiratory collapse and cardiac arrest.”
Doctors performed an emergency C-section on Easter Sunday, delivering a healthy baby boy, Colter—three weeks early, but thriving.
A Shocking Cancer Diagnosis: Stage 3 Melanoma
After Colter’s birth, doctors turned their focus to MaKenna’s tumor. A biopsy confirmed stage 3 melanoma, a rare form of skin cancer that had spread internally.
Dr. Kalvin Lung, a thoracic surgeon at Northwestern Medicine, explained:
“The tumor had spread into her right lung, impacting all three lobes and pressing against the heart.”
Doctors believe the cancer likely started as a skin melanoma, with a few rogue cells escaping into her body, where they grew undetected.
“The diagnosis blindsided me,” Lauterbach said. “I was grieving the birth plan I had carefully prepared, while also processing the shock of my unexpected cancer diagnosis.”
Aggressive Treatment and a High-Risk Surgery
To shrink the tumor, Lauterbach underwent three cycles of immunotherapy before doctors attempted surgery.
The Northwestern team then performed an extensive operation, removing:
✔ Her entire right lung
✔ Parts of the main pulmonary artery
✔ Lymph nodes affected by the cancer
Because the tumor was close to vital blood vessels, the surgery required cardiopulmonary bypass and intricate vascular repairs.
“If the tumor had grown just a little further into the main artery or heart, the outcome could have been much different,” said Dr. Lung.
Thankfully, the surgery was a success, and Lauterbach’s latest scans show no evidence of metastatic cancer.
Recovery and Adjusting to a ‘New Normal’
Despite losing a lung, Lauterbach is making remarkable progress.
“My lung capacity is improving, but I’m still adjusting to my ‘new normal,’” she shared.
Her son Colter is now a happy, healthy baby, and she’s focusing on her recovery while continuing immunotherapy for another year.
While her cancer is stable, doctors will monitor her through regular CT scans to ensure it does not return.
“There are days when the bad memories creep in,” Lauterbach admitted, “but my husband Parker and baby Colter give me the strength to keep moving forward.”
A Message to Other Women: ‘Trust Your Body’
Now, Lauterbach is urging other women to advocate for their health:
“If something doesn’t feel right, don’t settle for ‘I don’t know.’ Keep pushing for answers.”
She hopes her story raises awareness of rare cancers and encourages early detection.
Source: FOX News