Twelve weeks pregant Lucy Isacc went in for a routine ultrasound and found to her horror that she had ovarian cancer. That begam a complicated, life-saving experience which culminated with the birth of baby Rafferty Isaac last January and his mom’s survival.
However, it wasn’t the first time he was ‘born’ but the second: Rafferty was “born twice,” Oxford University Hospitals reported.
According to the hospital’s press release
Lucy’s pregnancy was too far advanced to allow surgeons to perform standard keyhole surgery. OUH doctors suspected that if they waited until the baby was born before treating the tumour, there would be an increased risk of metastasis – the cancer spreading in the other parts of the body, and posing a risk to Lucy’s life.
That brief summary, however, does not do justice to the challenges faced by a very skilled 15-member multidisciplinary surgical team and one very brave mother.
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Last October, the eam headed by Mr. Hooman Soleymani Majd, an OUH consultant, proposed
lifting Lucy’s womb out of her abdomen – still containing her unborn child – to allow them to examine and remove the cancerous cells on both ovaries behind the womb.
In a five-hour procedure, Lucy’s womb was removed while it remained connected to the uterine artery to maintain a supply of blood and oxygen to the baby. It also stayed attached to the left fallopian tube and cervix.
The procedure involved a team of 15 people which included anaesthetic, surgical, obstetric and pathology staff members who were all directly involved in Lucy’s care on the day of her surgery.
Two members of the team held Lucy’s womb in their hands during the entire procedure, with the baby’s heart rate and temperature being monitored along with Lucy’s.
What about the womb? That was
wrapped in a warm, sterile saline pack to mimic being inside the body and to keep it at the right temperature, and was replaced with a fresh pack every 20 minutes.
Once the cancerous tissue was removed, Lucy’s womb was placed back into position, the saline packs removed, and her abdomen stitched back up.
But there was one last dangerous complication:
During the procedure the team removed a slice of the tumour, which was examined by pathologists, who determined it was a stage two cancer – which meant cancer cells had also invaded tissues surrounding the ovaries, making the procedure more complex and even more important than anticipated.
Previous operations carried out by Mr Hooman Soleymani Majd involved only stage one tumours, which are comparatively easier to remove. The womb was outside Lucy’s body for two hours – twice the time of his previous procedures.
But in January mom safely delivered baby Rafferty.
Lucy, said, “I had no symptoms before the diagnosis. I feel incredibly lucky that I was not only diagnosed in time, but also able to undergo the procedure without jeopardising my pregnancy.” She added, “My husband Adam and I were made aware of the risks, but we had faith in Mr Hooman Soleymani Majd and the team. I am immensely grateful to everyone involved in saving me and my baby.”
For his part, Hooman Soleymani Majd said
“I am pleased with the success of the procedure. It was a complex and challenging operation, but the dedication and expertise of our multidisciplinary team ensured a positive outcome for both Lucy and her baby.
“When baby Rafferty, visited us at two weeks after being born, it was immensely emotional moment for me and the team.
“This achievement not only highlights the advancements in medical science but also reinforces our commitment to providing innovative and life-saving procedures. I am grateful for the trust placed in us, and proud of the collaborative effort that made this possible.”
LifeNews.com Note: Dave Andrusko is the editor of National Right to Life News and an author and editor of several books on abortion topics. He frequently writes Today’s News and Views — an online opinion column on pro-life issues.
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Author: Dave Andrusko
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