Jordanian Expat Diagnosed with Colon Cancer During Pregnancy Delivers Her Little Warrior
Rania bravely chose to undergo chemotherapy when she was 26 weeks pregnant, giving herself and her baby a fighting chance.
Abu Dhabi: In a tale of resilience and hope, a 36-year-old Jordanian expat diagnosed with colon cancer in her 26th week of pregnancy has overcome all odds and given birth to a healthy baby. Despite suffering from excruciating abdominal pain that was initially dismissed as typical pregnancy discomfort, Rania FuadAlsheikh’s determination, along with the intervention of skilled medical experts at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi, led to the birth of her baby boy in June.
Unbearable Pain Led to Diagnosis
Rania had been experiencing severe abdominal pain throughout her pregnancy. Initially attributing it to the physical strain of carrying a baby, she braved the pain and hoped it would subside. As the pain intensified, she sought medical help but was told that pain was a regular part of pregnancy. However, as the weeks progressed, her condition deteriorated, leaving her weak, bedridden, and anxious for answers.
“When I learnt I was going to be a mother for the second time, I was thrilled. But as my pregnancy progressed, I began to suffer from severe pain and heaviness in my stomach. By the sixth month of pregnancy, I developed fatigue due to which I couldn’t get up from the bed and had a lack of hunger. By then I was feeling incapacitated with pain andvomiting and was rushed to the emergency room at Burjeel Hospital in Abu Dhabi,” she said.
At the hospital, Dr. Fady Georges Hachem, Consultant, Obstetrics and Gynecology,insisted on doing more investigative tests to determine what was causing pain in the pregnant patient. It was then that Rania was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. While the diagnosis was an unexpected setback, the expectant mother displayed great courage and relied on her faith to overcome this tough situation.
“I thanked the Almighty because we finally knew what was causing the pain. Even though I did not expect a cancer diagnosis, I did not feel sad as I believe everything that comes from God is good. All I wanted was for my baby to be healthy,” she recalls.
Dr. MohanadDiab, Consultant, Medical Oncology, who was asked to consult on the patient, recalls her being bedridden and too weak to talk when he first met her in April. The biopsies revealed an aggressive form of colon cancer called mucinous adenocarcinoma. While the patient was in poor shape, further tests showed the baby’s condition to be unstable. Realizing the urgency of the situation, an interdisciplinary team at the hospital comprising Dr. Diab, Dr. Hachem,Dr. Hameed Raina, Specialist Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist, and Dr. Toufic Ata, Consultant Laparoscopic Bariatric & General Surgery, came up with a comprehensive treatment to safeguard the health of both mother and baby.
“We had two options in front of us. The first was to not administer chemotherapy because she was pregnant. But her condition was so poor that if we chose this, she was at risk of dying in a matter of days. Trying chemotherapy on the pregnant patient was the other option,” said Dr. Diab.
The team set up a tumor board discussion at the hospital to determine if, across the world, there were any similar cases of a pregnant woman in week 25 of her gestation being treated with chemotherapy.
Chemotherapy During Pregnancy
“While she was 26 weeks pregnant, we started treatment with the chemotherapy regimen to improve outcomes for both the mother and baby. Miraculously, three days after the chemotherapy, the patient was able to stand up. Prior to administering treatment, she was unable to eat a morsel of food. But after the chemo, she was able to eat normally,” said Dr. Diab, adding that she was discharged one week after the first chemotherapy session. She continued to have weekly medical appointments during which the team monitored her and the baby till delivery.
Rania is filled with gratitude when she recalls how her mother, sisters and husband supported her during that vulnerable period. As the pain diminished and her energy levels increased, Rania carried on with her regular activities and spent time with her family, including her four-year-old son Mohammed. The support of her family and the treatment gave her hope in those trying times.
On June 8, in the 35th week of her pregnancy, Rania had completed five chemotherapy sessions and underwent a cesarean section, bringing her baby boy into the world.
“It was an emotional moment for all of us in the operating room when we placed took the baby out and placed him in Rania’s arms. The sight of the healthy baby boy, weighing 2.32 kg, gave us joy and relief. I commend her brave decision to undergo chemotherapy during pregnancy, which undoubtedly gave her and her baby the best chance,” said Dr. Hachem.
Looking To the Future with Hope
Rania, who is over the moon after the birth of her little one Fahed, is filled with hope for the future. “I thank the Almighty and cherish each moment I get to spend with my little one. I am grateful to Dr. Hachem and Dr. Diab, who were first and foremost compassionate human beings. I also thank Dr. Hameed and Dr. Toufic for boosting my confidence and helping me in my treatment.” As words of caution for expectant mothers, she adds, “If you feel any pain during pregnancy, you must consult doctors because you are responsible not only for yourself but also the soul inside you.”
As Rania recuperates from the delivery and continues her cancer treatment, her story serves as an inspiration for others, feels Dr. Diab.
“It is extremely rare to be diagnosed with cancer when pregnant and more so to undergo chemotherapy and give birth to a healthy baby. Rania’s courage and resilience are an inspiration. By continuing the chemotherapy regimen, I am confident she will make a speedy recovery,” said Dr. Diab.
(ENDS)
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