The extraordinary courage of a woman who contracted cancer in the middle of her pregnancy and gave 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to QUADRUPLETS.
When Ashley and Andy Adams, both 23 and from Colorado, learned they were going to have quadruplets, they were shocked and delighted, but their happiness was soon marred by a heartbreaking diagnosis: the young mother had cancer.
Some 21 weeks into her pregnancy, doctors at the University of Colorado Hospital told Adams that the cancer was in her thyroid gland and had spread to her lymph nodes.
I remember calling my friend Joe and crying because I was going to lose my wife,” recalls Andy Adams.
Proud parents: Andy Adams, top left, and his wife, Ashley, to right, posing at the hospital with the four newest additions to their family
Fab four: Wyatt, Rylie, Braelynn, and Samantha Adams were 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 on August 26 about two months prematurely, but are doing well now
In most cases of cancer, doctors immediately recommend surgery to remove the tumor, but in Adams’ case, it was feared that the seven-hour procedure would endanger the lives of his un𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren.
It was scary for the first couple of days, but the rest of the time we put it out of our minds.” Ashley Adams told KDVR. I couldn’t stress because the babies would have stressed”.
On August 26, after thirty weeks, Ashley Adams went into labor and gave 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 to a son, Wyatt, and his three sisters: Rylie, Braelynn, and Samantha.
Born around two months prematurely, the new𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧s were sent to the intensive care unit, where they are expected to remain until Thanksgiving.
For the past two months, their parents, both military, have shuttled back and forth between their home on Buckley Air Force Base and the hospital.
Persistent: Ashley, right, became pregnant with the help of a drug called Clomid after a two-year battle with infertility
Ashley Adams explained on her Facebook page that she and her husband, who also have older 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, had conceived the quadruplets after a two-year battle with infertility.
The 23-year-old was prescribed a pill called Clomid to induce ovulation, which is known to increase the chances of having multiple fertilized eggs.
A few weeks later, Adams underwent an ultrasound that revealed she was pregnant with four babies.
Terrible news: About 21 weeks into her term, the young mother was diagnosed with thyroid cancer that had already spread to her lymph nodes
Four weeks after giving 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡, the young mother underwent surgery, which proved successful. She and her husband decided to delay chemotherapy and radiotherapy so that Ashley Adams could spend more time breastfeeding her offspring.
Ashley Adams believes that what happened to their family was a double miracle: by concentrating on saving the lives of her un𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, she unwittingly saved her own life.
Miracle: Doctors delayed Adams’ cancer surgery so that she could deliver the babies
If we hadn’t gotten pregnant with quads, we never would have come to the hospital,” said Ashley. I wouldn’t have had the doctor I had. I never would have found cancer.
On September 30, Ashley wrote on the family’s Facebook page, Our Quad Life, that at five weeks old, 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren “grow like weeds.”
Healing: Ashley had the tumor removed and is expected to begin physical therapy soon on the road to recovery
It’s amazing how much they’ve changed since 𝐛𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡. They look more like full-term babies than premature ones! Chubby cheeks, double chins, dimples on their big hands – I love it!
The new mom added that the quads are healthy, eating well and all four have been placed in open cribs.
Adams also gave an update on her health, stating that she’s “healing well” but still has little movement in her neck. She is expected to begin physical therapy soon.
Source: dailymail.co.uk