Life can be cruel and unpredictable, and sometimes it deals us blows that are almost too much to bear. For 18-year-old Brianna Rawlings, that blow came in the form of a rare and aggressive blood cancer diagnosis, NK cell leukemia, when she was just 17 weeks pregnant.
Brianna’s pregnancy had been a source of joy and excitement, but the cancer diagnosis threw everything into chaos. She was faced with an impossible decision: terminate her pregnancy and begin treatment, or continue with the pregnancy and risk her own life.
Brianna chose to prioritize her unborn child’s life, and she continued with the pregnancy, forgoing treatment. Tragically, this decision would ultimately claim the lives of both Brianna and her baby, Kyden.
Kyden was born three months premature and lived for just 12 short days. Despite the brevity of his life, Brianna cherished every moment she spent with him, holding him, counting his toes and fingers, and talking to him.
Brianna’s love for her son gave her the strength to keep fighting, and she was determined to beat the cancer. She underwent treatment, and at first, it seemed like she was getting better. However, her condition eventually deteriorated, and she passed away on December 29, 2018, at the age of 19.
Brianna’s story is a testament to the deepest love a mother can have for her child. She made the ultimate sacrifice, giving up her own life to give her son a chance at life. Her bravery and selflessness are an inspiration to us all.
Brianna’s family and loved ones continue to mourn her loss, but her legacy lives on. Her story raises awareness about the importance of cancer research and the need for better treatment options. By sharing her story, we can help keep her memory alive and continue the fight against cancer.
